7 Ideas for Children’s Bookshelves
Need bookshelf or book storage ideas for your kid’s bedroom? Browse these stylish rooms for inspiration
Victoria Harrison
4 April 2024
Editor, Houzz UK and Ireland
Hoping to encourage your child to enjoy books (and tidy them away afterwards)? Check out these stylish storage solutions.
Fill an alcove
The pleasing shape of this gable end has really been highlighted, and celebrated, by the bookcase with window seat that’s been built to fill the space and painted to stand out.
While this type of shelving is a bespoke option, a similar design might not be as expensive as you think. So if you have an underused corner or awkward-shaped wall in your home, it might be worth talking to a carpenter or builder to see if it could be turned into something similar.
Find carpenters in your area to talk to about having a similar piece made for your own home.
The pleasing shape of this gable end has really been highlighted, and celebrated, by the bookcase with window seat that’s been built to fill the space and painted to stand out.
While this type of shelving is a bespoke option, a similar design might not be as expensive as you think. So if you have an underused corner or awkward-shaped wall in your home, it might be worth talking to a carpenter or builder to see if it could be turned into something similar.
Find carpenters in your area to talk to about having a similar piece made for your own home.
Save space with a picture shelf
Slim ledges like these are a classic way to save space in a small room while also allowing you to display the full cover of a book.
This is a set-up that works really well with large-format, brightly coloured children’s books. If the shelves are placed at a low level, it’s also then easy for children to pick out their own books when they want to.
Slim ledges like these are a classic way to save space in a small room while also allowing you to display the full cover of a book.
This is a set-up that works really well with large-format, brightly coloured children’s books. If the shelves are placed at a low level, it’s also then easy for children to pick out their own books when they want to.
Stack up small book ledges
These slim ledges are actually Bekvam spice racks from Ikea, but they make cute shelves for kids’ books. The small bar across the front allows titles to be stacked three or four deep.
By hanging them in double rows either side of the window, they create a pleasingly symmetrical and organised display, while still allowing the cover art of the books to be seen and enjoyed.
These slim ledges are actually Bekvam spice racks from Ikea, but they make cute shelves for kids’ books. The small bar across the front allows titles to be stacked three or four deep.
By hanging them in double rows either side of the window, they create a pleasingly symmetrical and organised display, while still allowing the cover art of the books to be seen and enjoyed.
pepperdesignblog.com
Get creative
This bookshelf ‘tree’ is quite a simple idea at heart, but it makes such a fun and creative statement in this kids’ room.
By running three slim shelves along the branches of the wall mural, forming a perch for small books and toys, it creates a really fun optical illusion.
If you can’t stretch to a wall mural, you could create a similar effect with a large wall sticker and some slim floating shelves painted to blend in with the colour of the design behind.
This bookshelf ‘tree’ is quite a simple idea at heart, but it makes such a fun and creative statement in this kids’ room.
By running three slim shelves along the branches of the wall mural, forming a perch for small books and toys, it creates a really fun optical illusion.
If you can’t stretch to a wall mural, you could create a similar effect with a large wall sticker and some slim floating shelves painted to blend in with the colour of the design behind.
Strike out at an angle
The cube shelves hung at an angle in this room create a real sense of fun and help to turn the books into a piece of wall art in their own right.
Children’s rooms are a good place to experiment with design ideas and to be creative, so be brave with colour and layout, and get your kids involved in the design process to make them feel a sense of ownership of the finished design.
More: 9 Stylish and Practical Bedrooms for Growing Children
The cube shelves hung at an angle in this room create a real sense of fun and help to turn the books into a piece of wall art in their own right.
Children’s rooms are a good place to experiment with design ideas and to be creative, so be brave with colour and layout, and get your kids involved in the design process to make them feel a sense of ownership of the finished design.
More: 9 Stylish and Practical Bedrooms for Growing Children
Go all out
If you have the space, this library-style set-up would create a wonderful reading corner in a playroom or bedroom. The easy-access lower shelves are great for displaying large-format books, while the traditional shelves above offer plenty of extra storage.
This design would still work on a smaller scale, with a combination of slim picture ledges underneath raised shelves. The key is plenty of comfy cushions or beanbags at ground level where small people can comfortably lounge and read.
If you have the space, this library-style set-up would create a wonderful reading corner in a playroom or bedroom. The easy-access lower shelves are great for displaying large-format books, while the traditional shelves above offer plenty of extra storage.
This design would still work on a smaller scale, with a combination of slim picture ledges underneath raised shelves. The key is plenty of comfy cushions or beanbags at ground level where small people can comfortably lounge and read.
Highlight a collection
Simple, traditional-style bookshelves can be livened up for a children’s room with a coat of paint on the back wall. Here, a deep navy blue adds depth to the white cabinetry and allows the colours of the toys and books in front to really shine.
Choose a soothing paint colour for a bedroom, or a bolder, more enlivening hue for a playroom.
Tell us…
How do you store your books at home? Let us know in the Comments.
Simple, traditional-style bookshelves can be livened up for a children’s room with a coat of paint on the back wall. Here, a deep navy blue adds depth to the white cabinetry and allows the colours of the toys and books in front to really shine.
Choose a soothing paint colour for a bedroom, or a bolder, more enlivening hue for a playroom.
Tell us…
How do you store your books at home? Let us know in the Comments.
Related Stories
Gardens
How to Disguise Rubbish and Recycling Bins Outside Your Home
Need to hide unsightly bins in your garden or driveway? Take a look at these clever ideas for inspiration
Full Story
Housekeeping & Cleaning
How to Be More Green When You Clean
Refresh your cleaning routine as well as your home this year with these eco-friendly cleaning ideas
Full Story
Living Rooms
10 Excellent Ideas for Alcove Storage
By Kate Burt
Those spaces either side of your chimney breast – are you making the most of them? Read on to find out
Full Story
Bathrooms
How to Design a Bathroom That’s Easy to Clean
Want a clutter-free, sparkling bathroom? Follow this expert advice on how to cut down on cleaning time
Full Story
Housekeeping & Cleaning
10 Things to Remember While Decluttering
Fast-track the process and ease the stress by making a plan before you begin
Full Story
Storage
9 Things No One Tells You About Creating Storage in Your Home
By Kate Burt
Stuck for more storage? Look no further than our pros’ ideas for maximising space – beautifully
Full Story
Housekeeping & Cleaning
Organising? Don’t Forget the Essential First Step
Simplify the process of getting your home in order by taking it one step at a time. Here’s how to get on the right path
Full Story
Storage
7 Ideas for Acing Your Open-plan Room’s Storage
By Kate Burt
Open-plan living spaces come with their own specific storage challenges, but there are several ways to tackle them
Full Story
Storage
How to Achieve ‘Barely There’ Bedroom Storage
By Kate Burt
Let your bedroom feel serene by keeping your storage discreet
Full Story
Simple rule of thumb for children's books, in my always-opinion......children's books need to be accessible to children at all times :)) I love the words library and bookshelves, rather than 'storage', when it comes to a collection of books. With respect, IMHO, books are living things, not occasional design adjuncts. I love the "go all out" idea here in this post. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!