A minimalist bookshelf is an important part of a calm and well-chosen home. But getting them right can be difficult. How do you find something that's functional without interfering with your calming, stripped-down aesthetic? I've been there, too, and it can be especially overwhelming for someone with minimalist tendencies. I know there is. In a world of so many options, who has the time to find the perfect understated and sophisticated selection?
That's where I come in, dear readers. Behind our roundup of the 15 best bookshelves available today (a must-read if you're in the market), we handpick the best minimalist bookshelves and end with talking to experts about how to do it. Find a minimalist bookshelf in the crowd and find out how to best style it. Please come in advance.
If you need more inspiration, once you're done, check out Livingetc's roundup of the best home decor websites.
12 Best Minimalist Bookshelves
Price: $1099
Highly modular and completely minimalistic, the appeal of this bookshelf is that it does nothing else and can fit into any design mold. One of his great modern bookshelves.
23% off
Adrianne 72.2″ H x 32.7″ W Bookcase Shelf
Price: $139.99
At an affordable price tag of less than $150, you could do a lot worse than Wayfair's affordable bookcase, whose glass shelves and open structure are hallmarks of minimalism.
Cambio Brushed Brass Wall Mount Bookcase with Glass Shelves
Price: $999
Speaking of glass shelving, this elegant brushed brass shelving unit designed for CB2 by Melbourne-based VUUE also knows a thing or two about using glass shelving. Being sheer in nature, it almost completely removes the shelf visual from anything placed on it, giving the display an almost magical quality.
Price: $1349.25
A unique take on a classic design. The alternating front and back legs of Lulu and Georgia's ceiling bookcase add a layer of interest to this piece of stick-and-shelf work, even if you try to make it more minimalist. No more.
30% off
Haldeman pine open bookcase
Price: $1119
Modern and natural, inspired by vintage shelves in French bakeries. The scene itself may be quite busy, but this bookshelf is not.
20% off
32 inch Portola Hills 3 tier horizontal bookshelf
Price: $240
I love this horizontal bookshelf from Target's Threshold brand. The rectangular shape and open structure are each chic and accessible, and the price tag is hard to beat.
10% off
30″ x 6″ slim vertical column wall shelf
Price: $34.19
When stacked correctly, vertical column wall shelves like this one from Target may make an unsuspecting person barely notice the shelves the books are on. If that isn't minimalist, I don't know what is. (This bookshelf is perfect for small spaces.)
Sigmund wide etageur bookcase
Price: $470
You've probably seen the silhouette of this industrial-inspired étagère bookshelf, but look closer and you'll notice subtle, differentiated details that really make the whole thing pop.
20% off
Price: $4228
A stunning piece by Carl Hansen & Son that combines minimalism with a mid-century modern bookshelf sensibility. It may be perfect for aspiring minimalists with maximalist tendencies (i.e. hiding clutter in base cabinets).
30% off
Price: $153.99
When it comes to achieving midcentury minimalism on a budget, Target has everything you need. The frame is really the star here, so you don't need a lot of embellishments to complete the look.
Price: $1,980
She is unique, modular, with a black finish and represents a positive minimalist wonderland. Rounded corners and support pieces provide a softer look that's clean yet interesting.
What makes a good minimalist bookshelf?
“Look for a simple design with clean lines, preferably with an open back and something that doesn't feel bulky or overwhelming,” says Abi Dare of interior design blog These Four Walls. “Modular shelving units are ideal because they can be configured to your liking and adjusted as your needs change in the future.”
If you prefer a more fitted bookshelf, “a floating design with no visible fixtures creates a sleek, streamlined look.” Or, “You can also paint the shelves the same color as the walls. This means that the shelves blend into the background and accentuate what is displayed on them, rather than being a feature on their own.”
How to style a minimalist bookshelf?
First and foremost, the perfect minimalist bookshelf isn't “overcrowded,” Abi said. To avoid this, “I like to break up the book with vases, sculptures, plants, and other objects, varying the height and stacking some items in front of each other to give interest and depth.” .”
To style a minimalist bookshelf, Abi also recommended “leaving a section of negative space as well; it looks much better to the eye than a dense, monolithic swath of books.” Additionally, she might “stack the books differently, with some upright and some on their sides, and sometimes putting things on top of the books here and there.”