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An empty wall is your best friend these days. Shelving, closets, benches—people have been all about adding storage to their homes over the past few months, according to a recent Houzz report that noted an increase in requests for custom projects from home professionals during June. Installing bookcases ranked high on that list (it saw a 126 percent spike compared to the same time in 2019). 

Other than the fact that bookcases (especially ones with lower cabinets) help you stay tidy, this update is a lot more affordable than the other renovations that have been popular during quarantine, like redoing a bathroom. In another recent survey, people revealed they spent an average of $765 on the project. (But if you hack a unit like IKEA’s Billy option, you can bring that number down to $500.) Get cozy library vibes just in time for fall with these easy bookcase ideas.

Choose a Dramatic Color

Hunter green radiates old-world charm in Joanna Gaines’s office-library. She took the moodiness one step further by swathing the ceiling tiles in the same hue. 

Turn It Into an Art Display

Where is it written that a gallery wall has to be a wall? Transform a bookcase into an eye-catching piece by hanging a few of your favorite oil paintings or sketches along the front of the shelves. 

Allow for Easy Access

Make a dent in your reading list this fall by turning your bedroom into a full-on library, rolling ladder included. 

Introducing Domino’s new podcast, Design Timewhere we explore spaces with meaning. Each week, join editor-in-chief Jessica Romm Perez along with talented creatives and designers from our community to explore how to create a home that tells your story. Listen now and subscribe for new episodes every Thursday.