If your living room feels more like a storage unit than a living space, your bookshelf might be the culprit or the solution. In homes where space is tight and walls are doing the most, the bookshelf has to work harder. It’s no longer just a place for novels and souvenirs. A well-designed bookshelf is a piece of architecture, an organizing system, and a bold style statement.
Lately, clients often ask interior designers for ways to make their living rooms feel bigger without knocking down walls or losing personality. One name that keeps coming up is Henge, and not just for their incredible lighting systems. Their approach to sectional storage, clean lines, muted textures, and materials that feel lived-in has changed how experts think about shelves. Whether you’re splurging on high-end Italian design or DIY-ing through IKEA hacks, the key is knowing what works for your space, not just any space.
Henge Bookcases: Go Vertical, Not Just Tall
Most people look at an empty wall and imagine filling it from left to right. That’s mistake number one. If you want to free up floor space while creating the illusion of height, your bookshelf needs to draw the eye up. Go for narrow vertical units that start just above the baseboard and go all the way to the ceiling. A great example is the Bistrot Bookshelf by Henge: its slender, floor-to-ceiling design doesn’t just save space, it defines it. A slim column of shelves between two windows or next to a doorway can become a visual anchor, especially in smaller rooms. This trick works wonders in apartments where square footage is low but ceilings are surprisingly generous.
Porada Bookshelves: Float It or Frame It
Floating shelves aren’t new, but people still get them wrong. Don’t scatter them randomly like wall confetti. Instead, treat them as part of a bigger composition. Align three or four shelves vertically to create a “shelf column” and frame them with paint or paneling in a contrasting tone. Suddenly, you’ve got a bookshelf that looks intentional, not like you ran out of floor space. A piece like the Domino Expo Bookcase by Porada nails this concept with its sleek, sculptural design: so much so it can stand freely in the middle of the room and still feel like it’s floating. Want to take it up a notch? Install LED strips underneath each shelf. It adds depth and makes your living room feel like a boutique hotel lobby.
Ceccotti Collezioni Double-Duty Bookcases
Open-plan living is great, until you realize you have no walls. This is where freestanding, double-sided bookcases come in. Use them to divide your living and dining area without killing the light or boxing yourself in. Don’t overload them with books. Leave negative space, mix in ceramic vases or plants, and keep at least one shelf almost empty to avoid visual clutter. The Flying Circles Bookcase by Ceccotti Collezioni is a perfect choice: it creates a subtle room divider that feels more like art than furniture. Think of it like curating a gallery, not cramming a library.
Poltrona Frau Wall Systems: Corners Are Not Dead Space
You’d be amazed how often people ignore corners. They’re awkward, sure, but they’re goldmines for storage. A triangular or L-shaped bookshelf designed for that tucked-away spot can turn the dead zone next to your couch into a design moment. Take the Albero Bookcase by Poltrona Frau: its form and clever use of angles make it perfect for corner spaces usually overlooked. Add a reading lamp, a chair, and a small rug, and you’ve created a micro-lounge inside your living room. It’s a trick that feels custom without actually being custom.
Tips
If you’ve made it this far, here’s something many know nothing about: sometimes, the best bookshelf isn’t a shelf at all. It might be a built-in bench with storage underneath, a recessed niche with floating slabs of reclaimed wood, or even a vintage ladder leaning against the wall holding your prettiest coffee table books. The point is, your living room doesn’t need to look like a catalog. It needs to feel like you, only sharper. And you’ll be surprised how quickly a small shift turns into a better space.
