45 DIY bookshelves that work

style-focused bookshelf DIYs your space needs.
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Ladder shelves are all the rage and we couldn’t think of a more stylish storage solution for our favorite titles.

Get the how-to on A Pair and a Spare.

These slatted wooden crates not only make for a reliable storage system, they’re also extremely versatile and come with copious amounts of space.

Get the how-to on Maison de Pax.

This Scandi-chic DIY results in one stunningly streamlined shelving system no living room should be without.

Get the how-to here.

Show off your prized prints and coffee table titles with this very chic DIY display.

Get the how-to here.

Or, keep the shelf bare and use it to store anything and everything from office to art supplies.

Recreate this surprisingly simple DIY with just wooden boxes, wood glue, and paint!

Get the how-to on I Spy DIY.

Who knew that ladders could make such great sources of shelving? Join two sets of ladders together with an elongated shelf to form a desk with ample storage space.

This whimsically Scandinavian hanging shelf features a handful of muted neutrals, which lend an ever-so-subtle hint of color to the design.

Get the how-to here.

Recreate this look with wooden shadow boxes strategically placed within a few inches of one another.

This industrialized piece features stained wooden shelves and metallic brackets.

Get the DIY on Almost Makes Perfect.

Use leather straps to hold up a basic wooden shelf, for an elevated revamp.

Get the how-to on Camille Styles.

Transform a cubist wall shelf by applying various shades of gray paint to the interior for an added sense of depth. Filter in the occasional hint of yellow to brighten up the look.

When living in a small space, double duty furnishings are a must. This clever closet and bookshelf combo is a must for the square foot-challenge home!

Get the how-to here.

Create a tri-level hanging wall shelf with wooden planks and hairpin legs! Get the scoop here.

Elevate the typical wooden box with a whitewashed overlay and a bright pop of color for the backdrop.

Recreating these chic and distressed wooden floating shelves is easier than you may think! Get the how-to on Sugar and Cloth.

Stained wood shelves and bold iron details make for quite the pair, resulting in one Pinterest-perfect shelving unit.

Get the how-to on Homemade Modern.

It’s no secret that the little ones aren’t always the most organized, especially when it comes to their toys and books. This clever DIY features a whimsical wallpaper shelf lining and is an organizational essential for the playroom.

Get the how-to on This Little Street.

This easy DIY results in a rope-fastened hanging shelf that serves both form and function.

Get the how-to on Burkatron.

Walnut stained plywood boards provide a warm detail to this sleek and slender

ikea bookcase

See the transformation here!

Corner shelving is a must for small spaces! Get the how-to for this stunning system on A Beautiful Mess.

Shelves that double as other forms of furnitures are always a win in our books. Use brackets to hold up sets of wooden shelves (in various lengths) and position the longest board bedside for a makeshift nightstand!

This open-shelving system is not only perfect for the home library, it also makes for a great kitchen storage!

Get the how-to on Apartment Therapy.

IKEA’s kitchen units transform into a sleek and modern shelving unit for books, art, and media players.

Get the how-to here!

A built-in bookshelf with

open shelving

in the kitchen is perfect for housing a slew of items from pots and pans to cookbooks and cookware.

See more here!

This industrialized pipe shelf pairs best with exposed brick walls, for an effortlessly chic bookcase.

Get the how-to on Homemade Modern.

Prefer to keep your books enclosed? This floating credenza can double as one great bookcase!

Get the how-to from Sugar and Cloth.

Transform a standard bookshelf with a coat of paint that complements the remaining decorative elements of the room.

See more here.

Stained wine boxes stacked together make for a chic and clever nightstand. Turn the crates over for an open shelving solution for books.

Get the how-to on Lark and Linen.

Utilize small wooden blocks to hold up the shelves of a basic, wooden bookshelf!

Learn more here!

Sleek copper details transform an ordinary DIY bookcase into a stunning living room accent piece with functionality.

Get the how-to here.

Upcycle old drawers or reclaimed wooden boxes by stacking them into a bookshelf.

This art easel-inspired bookcase is perfect for showing off a curated selection of your favorite titles!

Get the scoop here.

Position sets of IKEA’s Ivar cabinets side by side – mounted to the wall – to create a makeshift wall-to-wall book storage system.

This intricately detailed plywood console not only provides a spot for the TV, it can also house books and media players.

Get the how-to on Homemade Modern.

A bookshelf that comes with a color block as vibrant as this is always a good idea. Learn how to recreate it on Refinery29.

See how one clever blogger transformed IKEA’s billy bookcase with extra shelves and an intricate crown molding!

Get the how-to on Centsational Girl.

Turn a plain bookcase into a chic must-have by simply washi-taping the edges in a contrasting, metallic shade.

We’ve all seen our fair share of

ikea hacks

s”] with the Billy bookcase but this one blogger took it to a whole new level with a stunning floor-to-ceiling installation.

Get the how-to on Makerista.

Stylishly uneven shelving, mood lighting, and crown molding – this is one ikea hack you won’t want to miss!

Get the how-to on Centsational Girl.

These DIY wooden bins are great for storing everything from toys to books in the little ones’ playroom.

Get the how-to on Ana White.

Stained pallet wood transforms into a rustic bookcase that will fit right in with just about any decor scheme.

Get the how-to here.

Peg legs and a fresh coat of paint transform a standard bookcase into a mid-century modern statement piece!

Get the how-to on Thou Swell.

Here’s a little game of real-life Tetris. Play around with various arrangements of wooden crates in an assortment of sizes, to find the best fit for your living space.

Get the how-to on Burkatron.

Copper piping and whitewashed wood make for one seriously stunning pair in this modern DIY bookcase.

Get the how-to here.

Anna Kocharian Avatar

Anna Kocharian

Writer/Editor

Anna has a penchant for travel, fresh flowers, and books. You can usually find her on some sort of culinary adventure, seeking the best burgers or waffles in the city.