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Designers love finding opportunities to add custom bookcases into their projects. Not only do you get more storage out of something that’s been specifically crafted to fit your space, but they’re also a canvas for creativity. “Typically, adjustable shelves are not something to write home about; they have little holes on the sides and pins…they’re not cute,” says Julia Miller of Yond Interiors. The San Francisco-based designer tries to avoid off-the-shelf shelves at all costs, and lately she’s loving the look and functionality of built-ins with prominent teeth. “They have a lot of texture and interest—they add something to the design,” Miller says of the two notched units she added to the upstairs hallway of this Victorian home. The shelves can slide in and out in a flash, making it easy to switch up the styling, plus unlike looking at a bunch of empty hotels and puny pins, the permanent wood supports add a sculptural quality to the unit. Here are a few more reasons to love this designer-approved answer to adjustable shelving.
It Makes Book Stacks Look Even Neater
Raili Clasen’s twist on the modular shelving involved oak wood stands that span the depth of the millwork. Displayed alongside horizontal stacks of books, the lines of the brackets are soothing to the eye. Another perk of the versatile system? You can easily pop in a portable lamp.
It Lets You Style Like a Minimalist
There’s a lot to love about the look of these built-ins—and that’s even when nothing is on them. The captivating detailing means you can be pretty pared-back when it comes to filling the shelves with stuff. As we learned from Jourdan Fairchild, a handful of ceramic vessels or sculptures is all you need to fill a living room display.
It’s Ideal for Ever-Changing Kids’ Rooms
If there’s one space to consider using custom shelves, it’s the kids’ bedroom—the simple reason being that their interests (and therefore the books and toys they want to showcase) are always changing. In this Mumbai home, Bear Spaces & Co. inverted the shelving slots for a more subtle look.
It Even Shines When Painted
We love the slightly curved grooves of these shelves by Frances Merrill. For an extra layer of softness, the Reath Design founder swathed it all in a white color that matches the trim. Trailing plants, tall taper candles, homemade mugs—nothing is off limits when you can switch up your shelf decor in seconds.