skip to main content

Home Decorating

Help me choose a bookcase for my family room!

Valerie Noronha

15 years ago

I am planning to consolidate two bookcases in my family room into a single larger one that will be centered under the right transom window. I really like the ones with the glass doors and a bottom drawer would be a plus. Right now there is a mish-mash of woods in this room, but what I can assure you is the oak stuff is on it's way out! Family room is open to the kitchen which was remodeled two years ago in medium cherry stain. We were able to do a pretty close match on stain with our kitchen table and ent. console and are currently looking into adding a hutch top to the console. Here is the area where I'm planning to put the bookcase. The purple sticky pad show the size I am considering (58"H x 42"W). Though I think I could go as large as 60"H x 48"W depening on the bookcase.

{{!gwi}}

Here is a view out into the rest of the room so you can see the other wood furniture:

{{!gwi}}

For the bookcase I am wondering if we should try to stick with the same wood/stain look or something different--like either black or distressed black.

Here are a few that I am considering (though I am very much open to suggestions at this point).

Hampton Bay (looks a tad darker):

{{!gwi}}

Oxford Black:

{{!gwi}}

Salem Black:

{{!gwi}}

Salem Cherry:

{{!gwi}}

Chesire Black:

{{!gwi}}

Please let me know if I'm on the right track in terms of the style/size and please vote either black or cherry and glass or no glass.

The other (more expensive option) is to pick one of these as an inspiration picture and have the company that is making my hutch make the bookcase for an exact match. That would have gthe obvious advantage of getting all the features I want in the style/wood/stain/size that I want, but if I can find something out there for less that fits the bill just as well that would be preferable.

Comments (11)

nanny2a
15 years ago
My preference would be for the black, mainly because I like to see a mixture of woods/stain/color finishes and not have everything match. I think you'd find that with glass doors, you'd have less dusting and the books would stay cleaner! We have two full size bookcases on each side of our fireplace, with open shelving, and it's amazing how easily the tops of those books pick up dust! My favorites would be the Oxford or the Cheshire.
sarschlos_remodeler
15 years ago
Couple of things with these barrister bookcases: if you (like me) have large books (textbooks, art books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.), you will need to make sure that the barrister bookcases are deep enough. I found that several were too narrow for my larger albums and collections.

Glass doors are really elegant and keep the dust off the books (important for my allergic family), but they do tend to discourage casual browsing (also good to keep little sticky fingers off your nicer books, but a bummer for adult readers who become reluctant to pick something off the shelf). My guess is that anythign in a glass case becomes "collectible" instead of for everyday use and enjoyment in the eyes of those who are browsing.

I prefer the Hampton Bay bookcase, but that's probably because it resembles my favorite furniture piece in my house. :)

Make sure you check on ebay in the antique and used furniture section. Last time i looked, I saw many wonderful pieces that would work great as bookcases -- particularly some old curio and china cabinets. You might find something really spectacular there and get a great price. After I had already purchased my bed and the barrister bookcase from EA, I won on ebay a 1940s demi-lune Drexel dresser (mint), an 1880s French marble top side table with drawer and door (near mint), a gentleman's armoire, and a small buffet for super cheap -- all gorgeous pieces and I didn't pay more than $250 for any of them.

(English Gentleman's armoire, reproduction circa 1950)

French marble top side table, circa 1880s and 1940s Drexel demi-lune dresser (used as bedside tables -- ignore the lamps; they're in a "transition" stage)

(small buffet)
Related Discussions
Please help my decorate the top of my bookcase (pics included)
Q
Comments (32)
nancybee_2010: As in most of my decorating projects, I had it 98% complete, but your question gave me the nudge to finish the remaining 2%. I had tried out and returned several pots before settling on just the right one and transplated my other plant in it. I also decided to keep the old photos in my bedroom since I liked them there and bought a new frame that coordinated better with my candlesticks. That 2% remaining was to pick the photo to put in the frame--finally I decided to put last year's Christmas family photo there as I felt the sepia photos didn't look so good in the gold frame, though if others think sepia is better I can scan and tweak this photo for a sepia version. I should probably still tweak the bookcase some more, but it works for what I need it to do which is store books and photo albums. The photo albums don't fit on the lower shelves so I'm stumped how to change it without just storing the photo albums in a closet and then they are not out for people to see. As for the dining room, I did keep the red vase. I love how the light reflects in it. I may add some more vases at some point when the bulb actually dies, but so far it's hanging in there. cliff_and_joann: Thanks for the compliments and feedback. As you see above I did swap out the green vase. Your home is an inspiration to me--esp. your tablescapes. I've been following your DR chairs makeover with interest and can't wait to see the results! On another note, I recently got a new camera and am very excited that I am finally able to take pictures of window shots without the background getting washed out!
...See More
How to get a bookcase in this room?
Q
Comments (23)
Jjam!! OMG - I was eyeballing that very same bookcase in my latest Ballards catalog....was thinking that the openess of the shelves wouldn't compete as much with the ET. But, DH has made me made some decisions :( - outside patio work or inside & with spring in the air I am choosing working on our patio!! (there will be pics soon & many questions - yall are so great!!) Sooooo, I am going to keep the curio cab that is there......I would like to get 2 stools or chairs to flank each side (that could be pulled up when we have guests) How do yall feel about these chairs from Pier 1? They are on sale.... Too much wood or should I go for a bench? Kilm stool - 17" high Thank you for the compliments....there is still something not quite right in here - I think it feels a little stale - looking for something to kick it up a notch or two!! Ting - the rug is Karastan English Manor Kensington. I looked on the Macy's website for it....not seeing it there. I have been soooo happy with this rug - nervous about the lighter background but it cleans up like a workhorse. DH burned our grass last week & came in with TONS of soot on his shoes, of course he walked right on the rug but it cleaned up perfectly. 3 dogs & kids, too. Smiles:) Here is a link that might be useful:
...See More
Help with Family Room ideas with chair rail & built-in bookcase
Q
Comments (43)
Here's the sofa area with the picture lowered and area filled out. Showing the addition of a coffee table in two shapes. And also trying lighter mats on the pics to brighten things up. I love what you have going. It just needs to be completed and filled out some : ) The colors are just gorgeous and make for a wonderful and comforting setting to spend time. You might want to start another thread, as this one is bogged down with a lot of pics. Also, once the images become oversized and the text doesn't wrap anymore, a lot of people won't look anymore as it can't be read easily.
...See More
Bookcase Idea for my New Miter Saw
Q
Comments (6)
That's an ambitious project for a beginning woodworker (or even a somewhat experienced woodworker), and impossible to do without more tools. Mitre saws are really great tools, but their primary purpose is to cut things to length. You have many panels and shelves in your design that can only be cut accurately and cleanly with a table saw or radial arm saw. (You could also use a circular saw for this, but you wouldn't like the result.) It would also be important to have a lot of bar clamps, a biscuit joiner, a router, a power sander, and a power drill...and the knowledge of how to use these items. You would also need to know where to use various kinds of joints and where (and where not) to apply glue to provide adequate strength and prevent cracking from seasonal wood movement. Believe it or not, I'm not trying to discourage you; I simply want to suggest that this is probably beyond the ability of a non-experienced woodworker as a first project. If you want to be able to do stuff like this, you need to try a few less ambitious projects first. I've been doing woodworking for 45 years and am still learning. It is something you can do, but not without some practice that only hands-on experience can teach. You should do some reading: subscribe to a few magazines (Fine Woodworking; Better Homes and Garden Wood magazine, etc.), look at some books (like those published by Taunton Press), and take a woodworking course or two in your community. I know this is probably not the answer you wanted, but I guarantee that if you try to do this project with just a mitre saw and your minimal level of knowledge, you'll be kicking yourself for wasting a lot of money on the wood you've butchered. Even crown molding can be tricky, despite how simple it looked to you when an experienced carpenter cut it. Good luck...don't be discouraged.
...See More
lynninnewmexico
15 years ago
My choice would be the Hampton Bay. It's gorgeous and, since you're not putting it on a wall next to your kitchen cabs, the difference will be fine. What a gorgeous piece. I remember seeing your kitchen after you finished it. Very nice!
Lynn
trinityklm
15 years ago
Does this help?

I vote for the cherry one with the drawer at the bottom. I like how significant it looks, it's also warmer and will be less dusty looking.

Let me know if you want to see the others in the room, too.
funkyart
15 years ago
I like the cherry one too.. the hampden bay. I love that it has doors and it looks just fine standing alone.
Valerie Noronha
Original Author
15 years ago
saraschlos: Good point about the depth. I'll check on that and measure my albums. It's amazing you had such success with furniture on eBay. My one experience was a disaster and most items I liked, the shipping quotes were prohibitive. You picked some lovely items, though. I do love that armoire plus that inlay buffet. So, do tell about the foot picture over the bed. Such a delightful touch of whimsy!

trinityklm: Thank you for the next PS. Yes, that does help.

The Hampton Bay is my favorite also. I really like the bottom drawer for games and puzzles. I'm going to see if I can order a wood sample from them. I would love to see if I could find this style in black. I'll look around some more on the internet and a few furniture stores, but at least I have a clearer idea what to look for.
cliff_and_joann
15 years ago
First one, Hampton Bay is my choice.

Joann
User
15 years ago
I like the second one. Really nice piece, it looks perfect there!
laurience
15 years ago
1st one is beautiful although I would prefer it in a black to add some contrast.
PRO
acdesignsky
15 years ago
Looking at your first pic, I really think you need a much *wider* bookcase. The ones you've chosen are nice, but they're going to be lost on that expanse of wall. I'd think at least 60" wide, wider would be better, IMO. The barrister type with sliding glass doors would be great.
robynpa
15 years ago
I too have seen lots of nice pieces on Craigslist lately that would make great bookcases. The more I see how people have incorporated old pieces into their decor on this forum that more I love Craigslist. CL can be a PITA but there are some really great things to be found.

I have a barrister bookcase and you do need to be careful that your books are not too large or the doors will not close.

All that being said, I like the black bookcase the best.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

Help Me Design My Wine Cellar - Please!

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Put your rooms and furnishings to work in multiple ways to get the most out of your downsized spaces

DECORATING GUIDES Decorate With Intention: Helping Your TV Blend In

By Laura Gaskill

Somewhere between hiding the tube in a cabinet and letting it rule the room are these 11 creative solutions

UNIVERSAL DESIGN My Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home

By Becki Peckham

An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family

STAIRWAYS Help Your Stair Landing Take Off

By Danyelle Mathews

Whether for storage, art, plants or whatever else strikes your fancy, your stair landing can serve your home in a thoughtful way

HOUSEKEEPING Three More Magic Words to Help the Housekeeping Get Done

By Alison Hodgson

As a follow-up to "How about now?" these three words can help you check more chores off your list

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Online Finds Help Outfit This Couple’s First Home

By Jane Vorbrodt

East Vancouver homeowners turn to Craigslist to update their 1960s bungalow

DECORATING GUIDES The Most Helpful Furniture Piece You May Ever Own

By Mike Dietrich

Use it as a table, a seat, a display space, a footrest ... and indoors or out. Meet the ever-versatile Chinese garden stool

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Look under, over and inside to find places for everything you need to keep

Sponsored

More Discussions

Living Room Design

3

Can anyone who has Coretec Ravenswood Oak tell me what color it is?

1

furniture colours to brighten room

7

Help with dining room

2

Need large 10x14 rugs and can’t make decisions

3