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How to Decorate White Bookcases & Bookshelves
Functional yet pleasing to look at, bookshelves can complement a room’s setup or grab the spotlight — as is the case with white bookcases. But with so many details to consider, from size and style to features and hardware, it can be tough to find the perfect one for your home. Read our guide to learn more about the versatile piece’s pros and cons, styling tips, and more.
Why Choose a White Bookcase?
If you’re still unsure about whether a white bookcase or bookshelf is right for you, consider these key upsides and downsides:
Pros
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White delivers a clean, refreshing aesthetic that never seems to lose its appeal. It’s a common color for furniture, prioritized for its clean, uncomplicated, and timeless look.
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Complement Any Design Style With a Black Floor Lamp
White furniture can create a bright, airy, and spacious feel. This is a great way to open up a smaller space that doesn’t get a lot of natural light.
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White is the ultimate versatile color. It creates the effect of a blank canvas that can seamlessly pair with any existing decor or color by complementing or contrasting it.
Things to Consider
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White furniture can show blemishes easily. It may not be ideal for households with pets and kids where furniture experiences more wear and tear.
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A white bookcase can look dull or flat without enough contrast with its surroundings. Make sure to add small touches of color — often the addition of books is sufficient.
How to Choose a White Bookcase
Choosing the Right Color
Although white sounds like one color, there are several shades of white. It may be hard to differentiate or communicate the subtle differences, so here is a list of common hues:
Pure White
The brightest most neutral option, it's a cool tone that’s perfect for minimalist settings
Off-White
Softer and darker with undertones of yellow and gray, this is perhaps the most versatile choice.
Ivory
A warmer white that leans toward yellow or brown, this rich shade is suitable for rustic and traditional settings.
Cream
Its yellow undertone lends cream its inviting and cozy feel.
Snow white
A cool white with blue or gray undertones, it offers a crisp, clean look.
Pearl white
Hints of pink and peach distinguish pearl white, which is effective for striking a romantic and more feminine mood.
Choosing the Right Size
There are many different types of white desks that can complement your home — in style, shape, and function. White fits seamlessly into many design choices, from Scandinavian and farmhouse to modern and industrial. Here are some of the most popular types:
Height
Choose a tall bookcase to maximize storage. This is ideal for rooms with higher ceilings and home offices, studies, libraries, and living rooms. A short bookshelf can offer many advantages for smaller spaces or lower ceilings. A short bookcase can fit under a window to create a cozy reading corner or double as a side table or a bench.
Width & Depth
A wide white bookcase offers more functional surface area. You can even convert a white bookcase into an entertainment unit. Narrow bookcases, on the other hand, are excellent for nooks and crannies around the house that are often unused and overlooked.
Learn more about measuring for furniture with our guide.Choosing the Right Style & Form
Whether you choose a white bookcase with open-concept shelving or a closed back depends on your individual taste and design. Closed-concept bookshelves have a more substantial presence in the room, while open-concept shelves blend with the colors of the walls behind them. Remember that open shelving may require bookends, another stylish and practical decor.
You may also consider a white bookcase with doors. This is most suitable for bedrooms and home offices as they provide more discreet and private storage that’s not displayed openly.
How to Style a White Bookshelf
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Balance your books with decorative items to liven up your shelves. We recommend picture frames, small sculptures, artful boxes and vases, candles, plants, and lamps.
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Arrange your books by color or size to add another dimension to the design. Remember, your white bookshelf is a blank slate so paint it however you like.
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Instead of cramming your shelves full of books, try leaving some empty spaces. This design technique adds dimension to help the bookcase blend better into the room.
Styling Specific Rooms
How to Maintain a White Bookcase
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Dust your bookcase regularly, at least once a month. For a more thorough dusting, remove everything from the shelves.
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If you spill anything on your white bookcase, clean it immediately using a damp cloth and a mild soap. Remember to dry any moist surfaces to avoid water stains.
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White responds well to light, so opening the windows and letting the sun shine on your bookcase is okay. But it's essential to place your bookshelf so that it’s not in constant, prolonged sunlight, which can make it fade and yellow.
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For white bookcases, it's easy to apply tiny touch-ups to restore visual appeal and extend their lifespan.
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Avoid putting cups, glasses, or silverware directly on a white bookcase. As a precaution, place coasters and mats on surfaces you plan to use regularly.
Safety Considerations
Perhaps the most important step of installing a white bookcase is to mount it securely to your wall. This will prevent it from tipping over and causing injury or damage, especially if they are tall or heavily loaded with items. Mounting a bookshelf to the wall can also make it more stable and durable, as well as protect your floor from scratches. You can use brackets, screws, anchors, or straps to attach your bookshelf to the wall, depending on the material and design of your bookcase
Find the Perfect White Bookcase
A versatile and stunning piece, a white bookcase or bookshelf can instantly brighten your space. If you’re ready, start your search on furniture.com to discover bookshelves in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, styles, and more.