Built-in bookcases for main living spaces - good or bad?

[Anonymous]

how much does it cost to get built in bookshelves? have been search for bookcases i like and have not found any. built-ins is another option.

[Anonymous]

Op here. The one quote we got so far for something close to the picture I linked to was close to $10,000 but that was including a simple built in wardrobe in the master bedroom. I can't remember the breakdown.

I'd be interested in hearing other figures.

[Anonymous]

I like the idea but have a hard time finding appealing examples. People who get them seem to go with a fussy, pottery barn look. Blech.

[Anonymous]

We just put them in in our Townhouse in the main living area and we love them. Ours have cabinets underneath to store stuff and lots of books up top. Sure they don't look like the ones from magazines that are half empty but I still think there's something appealing about a home that has lots of books. They have little holes for changing the shelf height but they don't bother - pretty much disappear once the books are in.

[Anonymous]

Considering this.

Better to paint then to match the wall color (my choice) or again the wood (spouse's choice)?

[Anonymous]

Sorry, again the wood should say stain the wood

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally don't like them. I agree with the PP who says they invite clutter. I like a more minimalist look, so I don't want a bunch of shelves filled up with knick knacks and mismatched books.

I do love books, and have bookshelves filled with books, but I think they only look nice when they don't have many books on them and the books are all hard covers and organized by size and color. My bookshelves do not look nice because every shelf is full, they are mostly paperbacks, and I organize them by genre and author. So they are in a more private area of our home.

Function or form, which do you prefer?

Wow. Anyone who cares about form over function with books is not much of a reader. Which is fine, in that we don't all like the same things, but I am trying to imagine this applied to other areas: Only get one kind of shoe so they look nice in your closet! Eat nothing but canned soup so your cupboards are orderly! Trade in your kids for twins or triplets!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow. Anyone who cares about form over function with books is not much of a reader. Which is fine, in that we don't all like the same things, but I am trying to imagine this applied to other areas: Only get one kind of shoe so they look nice in your closet! Eat nothing but canned soup so your cupboards are orderly! Trade in your kids for twins or triplets!

Agree.

Anyone who does not like my books because they are not organized by size and color can piss off out of my house.

Although the stupid comment I usually get is not, "hey they are not organized by size and color" but "gee, have you really read all these books?"

[Anonymous]

I am not a fan of the "I have 3000 books on shelves in my living room". I have books, but they are in the basement on shelves. They are easy to access and it keeps my living and family room neat and orderly. This is just my opinion, and everyone has different tastes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Built-in bookcases are always a good idea. Always.

x1,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Built-in bookcases are always a good idea. Always.

x1,000

x2


and you should display all 3000 of your books on them - neatly edited little vignettes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Built-in bookcases are always a good idea. Always.

x1,000

x2


and you should display all 3000 of your books on them - neatly edited little vignettes

^ should NOT display

[Anonymous]

I love them. Would like to add them in our current house but think the cost is probably prohibitive enough to push this down the line of desired improvements.

[Anonymous]

We just put them in this year and love them. Did not do adjustable bc we did not like the look. We had put adjustable built ins in our bedroom and didn't like the holes and also realized we are very unlikely to need to adjust them (we have never adjusted the shells in our kitchen cabinets either).

[Anonymous]

Deep shelves + bottom storage are key. I can hide my chintzy paperbacks that I can't bear to get rid of behind our handsome hardcover collections. But I am still careful to break it up visually with some bookends and empty space or ornaments. I think this is the way to go.

Adjustable shelves-you don't notice once books are on. Just keep everything symmetrical.