People are always telling me how much they love my bookcases from IKEA. With seven of them (six in the basement and one in the living room) and a stack of books that wouldn’t fit on them, it’s easy to see why.
The thing is, even though they’re made of particleboard covered in wood veneer, my bookcases have held up really well. After eight years, I’m convinced they’ll last at least another 20 — and maybe even 40, but possible if you find the right solid wood bookcase in Australia.
That’s because IKEA is doing something right when it comes to bookcases. They’re not just cheap, they’re also well-designed, so they’re easy to keep looking great for years to come. How many things you own can you say that about?
I love books! I have a bookcase in my living room, office, and bedroom. I have bookshelves in the bathroom and the kitchen. I have stacks of books on my coffee table and by my bedside. It’s a problem!
Trying to find something to read is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. But there are ways to get more bang for your book-buying buck.
Let’s have a look.
How to build your own
Have you ever considered building a bookshelf from scratch? It is not as hard as you might think, and it can be an enjoyable experience. The following article will explain how to build cabinets for your home.
- TIP! Pick materials that are not only pleasing to the eye but also sturdy and durable. You want your bookshelves to last as long as possible, so pick woods that are hardy.
- TIP! Draw a diagram of your bookcase on a piece of paper before making any cuts. If you have never built something like this before, you may want to look at some example bookshelves to get an idea of what you are trying to create.
- TIP! Make sure that you have all the right materials for the job, including sandpaper, stain and varnish, paint brushes and sanding blocks, mitre saws and clamps. This will help ensure that all of your pieces fit together properly and that you do not need to make additional trips to the store for items that you thought you already had when in fact, they were missing from your supplies.
Size·
The size of your bookcase will depend on how much space you have and how many books you want to store in it. Bookcases can be found in various widths and depths, such as two feet deep and three feet wide or four feet deep and two feet wide. The depth should be more than half the length so that it can hold all those books with ease and comfort.
- TIP 1: Keep like with like You may have a few different books on mind management, but do you need five different copies? It is better to keep one copy that you read most often and rotate to another copy when necessary.
- TIP 2: Place heavy books on lower shelves. If you have books with lots of pages or books that are very large in size, then place them on the lowest shelves. This will stop them from falling out of the bookcase if they are accidentally bumped.
- TIP 3: Find a dust-free solution. Having a lot of dust on your books can make them look very old and worn, so try to find a way to keep them clean and shiny.
Treat your bookshelf like a canvas—you want it to be a reflection of your personality (and the books you want to display). If you’re the type of person that likes everything neat and organized, then look for a bookcase with compartments, drawers, and shelving. If you prefer a more creative approach, try throwing all your books on the shelf in no particular order.