Solid wood bookcases come in a variety of sizes and styles. They can provide a great accent to any room, in addition to being a stylish alternative for storing books, and even collectibles and trophies. Different than a more traditional bookshelf, most bookcases feature glass or wooden doors to add as extra protection for the items inside.
But before you begin your search for a bookcase, you should do a little measuring at home. Solid wood bookcases can be very large, so measure the space you have available, so you have a rough idea of how large or small a bookcase you’re looking for.
Because bookcases come in a variety of different sizes and styles, try and map out exactly where you want to put your bookcase. The more standard tall solid wood bookshelves will encompass a large area. Or you may prefer a corner bookcase to save space, but still achieve a certain level of style from a smaller room. There are also bookcase walls, if you find yourself having a large library of books that need a home. A solid bookcase wall is just like your average tall bookcase, but is wide enough to encompass an entire wall.
There are also a variety of design options that you can adjust to fit what’s most important to you. Some solid wood bookcases feature glass doors to add a new dimension of style to the display purposes. Wooden bookcases also feature a variety of design variations from dark and light woods, to color combinations, and even metal and wood designs.
This is another area where you’ll have to consider which looks best in your chosen room. If you want a more refined and rustic approach, a dark wood bookcase would be best. Or if you’re designing a room for your child, a more colorful and exciting design would feature much better.
When you’re looking to purchase a solid wood bookcase, you’ll most likely want to look at a furniture store. Furniture stores have a wider selection of quality, pre-assembled bookcases to fit any need. The less assembly required, the longer your solid wood book shelf is likely to last. Although any bookcase that requires some self assembly will be cheaper than pre-assembled work. If you trust your abilities, self assembly can be a good avenue to save some money.
The more simplistic bookcase, without doors, can run you anywhere from $50-$100. Relatively cheap, and they should stand the test of time, although they aren’t as visually appealing. The more expensive solid wood bookcases can run $200 and well beyond. But with the expensive models you’re likely to find more stylish pieces. The hardwood quality also tends to be better in a more expensive piece, and hardwood is likely to wear the years during your ownership much better than softer woods.
Hardwoods like oak and balsa tend to last longer, and reduce the amount of scratches that could occur from everyday use. Oak is the cheaper of the two and much more solid. An oak solid wood bookcase is likely to last you many years, and stand up through all everyday use. Balsa is softer but still strong enough to stand the test of time. Balsa tends to be more expensive however, as it boasts a unique wood grain design, and is more rare than oak.
Figure out which better agrees with your needs and pocketbook, and you’ll have solid wood bookcases that should last for generations.