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Collection by Erika Heet
Editor’s Pick

13+ Clever Bookcase Solutions

We've all had that moment, when we either need to purge our books, box them up and stick them in storage, or do something about creating more space for them. To follow, clever fixes—some familiar, some extraordinary—to the common challenge of what to do about our beloved tomes.

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The first thing visitors see as they enter the house is Bornstein’s impressive collection of architecture and design books. The sofa and chair were designed by Bornstein for Swedese.
The first thing visitors see as they enter the house is Bornstein’s impressive collection of architecture and design books. The sofa and chair were designed by Bornstein for Swedese.
For additional storage, the floor of the partition (shown here beneath the pink stool) easily opens to reveal additional storage space below.
For additional storage, the floor of the partition (shown here beneath the pink stool) easily opens to reveal additional storage space below.
The furniture in the living room came a bit more easily. A Knoll chair was a gift from an old employer, as was the poster, by Paula Scher, in the hall leading to the bedroom.
The furniture in the living room came a bit more easily. A Knoll chair was a gift from an old employer, as was the poster, by Paula Scher, in the hall leading to the bedroom.
Although the house was refurbished before North bought it in 1996, it still includes some of Breuer's original built-in furniture, including the desk in the bedroom, as well as a chair designed by the architect.
Although the house was refurbished before North bought it in 1996, it still includes some of Breuer's original built-in furniture, including the desk in the bedroom, as well as a chair designed by the architect.
A wall of books travels the height of the stairs leading to Ann Wansbrough’s office, which rests comfortably on the top floor despite her limited mobility.
A wall of books travels the height of the stairs leading to Ann Wansbrough’s office, which rests comfortably on the top floor despite her limited mobility.
Kordík uses his cabinet system to store far more than just dishes. Food, kitchen appliances, and books also hold court in the dining area. We love that the three volumes of Julius Shulman: Modernism Rediscovered live right beneath jars of snacks.
Kordík uses his cabinet system to store far more than just dishes. Food, kitchen appliances, and books also hold court in the dining area. We love that the three volumes of Julius Shulman: Modernism Rediscovered live right beneath jars of snacks.
A portion of Blauvelt’s 3,000-book library is archived in the long entry hall where the geometry of a Noguchi lamp plays off a pair of minimalist prints by Daniel Buren.
A portion of Blauvelt’s 3,000-book library is archived in the long entry hall where the geometry of a Noguchi lamp plays off a pair of minimalist prints by Daniel Buren.
In the living room, an Akari lamp by Isamu Noguchi sits atop a coffee table Hale made and next to a collage of Maisie and Pippa’s paintings. Like most of the furniture in the house, the couch, coffee table, and side table were made by Hale or his close colleagues, often in his favorite material: plywood.
In the living room, an Akari lamp by Isamu Noguchi sits atop a coffee table Hale made and next to a collage of Maisie and Pippa’s paintings. Like most of the furniture in the house, the couch, coffee table, and side table were made by Hale or his close colleagues, often in his favorite material: plywood.
When it’s time to eat or do homework, the adults lower the tabletop, revealing a dozen book cubbies.
When it’s time to eat or do homework, the adults lower the tabletop, revealing a dozen book cubbies.
The interior of the Murphy bed compartment is lined with a stained cork panel and contains a smaller shelving unit for bedside reading, alarm clock, and reading lamp.
The interior of the Murphy bed compartment is lined with a stained cork panel and contains a smaller shelving unit for bedside reading, alarm clock, and reading lamp.
To keep her open storage neat, Susanna stacks and organizes her books and DVDs by size and by color.
To keep her open storage neat, Susanna stacks and organizes her books and DVDs by size and by color.
There's plenty of beach reading on hand.
There's plenty of beach reading on hand.
Shelly walks along the perimeter of the house, near the central living area. The design of the house, with its many rooms, nooks, and open family spaces, "was so ahead of its time," Shelly says, "that, to young people coming here, it still feels contemporary."
Shelly walks along the perimeter of the house, near the central living area. The design of the house, with its many rooms, nooks, and open family spaces, "was so ahead of its time," Shelly says, "that, to young people coming here, it still feels contemporary."