Bookcases: 5 projects with surprising materials, finishes and designs

Whether it’s metalwork, woodworking, or the combination of both, shelves are useful pieces that can add to the room’s decor.

Shelves do not only house electronic devices, such as TVs and decoders, compositions made up of niches, shelves, panels and even closed modules (which we call racks) but can also hold a little bit of everything, from the smallest boxes and containers to impressive vases, sculptures and works of art.

But forget the conventional configurations, which paved the way for bolder materials, such as metalwork, translucent structures, fluid designs and a modern look in total sync with the rooms and multifunctional environments of the new times.

According to Karina Alonso, architect and managing partner of SCA Jardim Europa “So important in living rooms and social spaces, they have once again occupied a noble status, especially for those who do not give up having a practical and organized home, with solutions that enhance memories emotional and pieces of family history”, he says.

There are different configurations, materials and finishes, so every detail is essential to define how the customized bookcase will be composed in the room. Karina Alonso, from SCA Jardim Europa, listed some precautions on the subject.

Materials available

Melamine covering, natural wood veneer, slatted wood, lacquered structure, glass, MDF or aluminum… The quantity of materials is vast and the list also includes types of hardware for opening drawers and doors, models of handles, etc. It is this selection that helps shape the bookcase, defining not only the style and functionality of the furniture, but also the budget.

“But the material chosen must take into account the routines of the house and the composition of the family. An environment with children, for example, requires objects that are easier to clean, without dangerous edges or corners, among other precautions”, explains Karina, from SCA Jardim Europe.

Volume, dimensions and fixing

The style of the environment, the space available and what will be organized are conditions that will define the volume and proportions of the bookcase. There are those who prefer to bring the furniture up to the ceiling, occupy the entire wall or, on the contrary, create a lower, delicate and discreet piece.

“It is from this set of priorities that we begin to design the volume, determining the heights, widths and depths of shelves, niches and other modules,” explains Karina.

“The type of fixing and the size of the shelves, for example, will be defined when we know what will be displayed or stored. Larger books, which tend to weigh more, require thicker shelves, as well as different care both in the structure of the the shelf and in the assembly and fixing”, warns the director of SCA Jardim Europa.

See projects with amazing shelves

In this apartment renovated by the interior designer Rosa Dianathe living room and home theater bookcase houses electronic equipment in closed compartments and displays objects from the family’s fond memories in niches that mix metal and glass.

In this apartment, with a Denise Barretto, where everything is integrated, the shelf has a strategic configuration, as it serves multiple areas. There are closed and open niches, also of different sizes to hide some items and reveal others, including displaying the young resident’s favorite plants. The peculiar asymmetry of the furniture stands out, giving dynamism and surprise to the environment.

With a romantic and classic flavour, the living room of this apartment has changed radically. The grey, in contrast with the geometric patterned wallpaper, sets the tone for the bookcase with symmetrical open niches and modules closed by padded doors, without visible handles. In search of elegance, the architect Ana Rozenblitfrom the Internal spacechose the lacquered finish.

Attractive to the social area, where the living room, balcony, home office and kitchen are connected, the bookcase reveals an asymmetrical and elegant combination of materials. In addition to the use of gray and light wood, the straw doors give a unique character to the piece of furniture, which does not reach the ceiling and is designed by the architect. Pietro Terlizzi.

In this apartment, where the kitchen overlooks the living room, the architect Pati Cillo they used empty shelves to separate spaces, without completely isolating them. The furniture brings together a light wooden bench, complemented by black modules, with touch-close doors, as well as suspended shelves in aluminum and wood, fixed to the ceiling.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.