12 Best Bookcases for Every Budget and Style

Think of it this way: It's not that you have "too many books." (Even though they're taking over the nightstand, crowding your desk and covering every inch of the dining table.) It's that you need a better storage solution. Luckily, we've found the best bookcases for every style and budget. Keep scrolling to see them and to get some helpful tips on what to look for while shopping.

What to Consider When Buying a Bookcase

DIMENSIONS: Bookcases can typically be grouped into three sizes — low, standard and tall. A low bookcase is about 25 to 35 inches tall, whereas a standard bookcase is 45 to 65 inches tall and a tall bookcase is 70 inches or taller. Consider what type of solution you're looking for and where the piece will go in your home, and then use painter's tape to mock it up.

MATERIALS: Modern bookcases are made from a variety of materials, including wood veneer, metal and solid hardwood. (Or a combination of all three.) Wood veneer and metal are usually the most budget-friendly options, but they're also prone to warping and wobbling. Solid wood is the most sturdy, but it's also more expensive.

TRADITIONAL OR ETAGERE: As you shop around, you'll see the word "etagere" come up a lot. Essentially, traditional bookcases have closed sides, which are ideal for holding books upright. Etagere bookcases, on the other hand, are open-ended and better for displaying objects. If you choose an etagere shelf, you'll need to invest in some bookends as well.

Best Bookcase Overall

If we had to choose just one, we'd go with the Ainsworth Bookcase from Crate & Barrel. This handsome unit is crafted from solid maple wood and conditioned with linseed and mineral oil for a natural polish. Meanwhile, five adjustable shelves allow you to get the perfect configuration for art, books and storage bins. The bookcase comes in six rich finishes, too, and it has a raised base for easy cleaning underneath.

Best Budget-Friendly Bookcase

If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative, then feast your eyes on this Chalked Chesnut Bookcase from Walmart. The sturdy piece is made from engineered wood, but its 70-inch height and stately moldings give it an elegant presence in your home. Three of the shelves are adjustable, too, so you can modify them to fit your decor. Best of all? The unit costs just $150.

Best Low Bookcase

Low bookcases are extremely versatile; they can act as console tables, TV stands, vinyl storage or even catch-alls for kids' toys. And this Eulas Etagere Bookcase is the ultimate solution for all of the above. The unit is crafted from metal and manufactured wood, with a sleek profile that fits right against the wall. To top it all off, three expansive shelves provide a perch for all of your essentials.

Best Tall Bookcase

Prepare to reach new heights in your home office with this Folsom Tall Bookcase. The handsome unit stands at 73 inches tall and includes four adjustable shelves for trailing plants, favorite books and framed degrees. What really seals the deal for us, though, is that the Folsom Bookcase is built from solid wood, it's available in two finishes and you can purchase it as a single or in sets of two to create the look of built-ins around your desk.

Best Etagere Bookcase

Excuse us while we swoon over this stunning Chiasson Etagere Bookcase. With its curved edges and shimmering brass finish, this unit easily evokes thoughts of Hollywood Regency style. (And promises to add serious glitz and glamour to your living area.) The open sides and five tempered glass shelves ensure that your favorite objects can be viewed from every angle as well.

Best Round Bookcase

If you really want to make a statement, then opt for a round bookcase. More specifically? The Irving Bookcase from Anthropologie. This beauty is crafted from natural rattan and stands at an impressive 76 inches tall, so it's practically guaranteed to turn heads in your living room or dining room. Meanwhile, six generous open shelves invite you to display plants, pottery, family photos and even barware.

Best Leaning Bookcase

What's simple, stylish and surprisingly affordable? This Leaning Bookcase from Urban Outfitters. The trendy unit is built from a combination of solid pine and manufactured wood, and it boasts five shelves for paperbacks, air plants, instant cameras, vinyl records, etc. The bookcase is super easy to assemble, and it's available with your choice of brown or white shelves.

Best Corner Bookcase

Awkward corners are no match for the Fayette Corner Bookcase. This glamorous Parisian Deco piece tucks right into the wall and adds instant functionality to an overlooked corner. The bookcase features three fixed brass-and-glass shelves for vases and books, plus a fluted barrel cabinet for special barware and serveware. The unit stands at 76 inches tall, and it's crafted from mango veneer and engineered wood.

Best Bookcase for Plants

Bookcases make great plant stands, too, and this Iron Standard Bookcase is the perfect solution for your sunroom. The sturdy unit is crafted from a combination of metal and manufactured wood, and can support up to 110 pounds. (Read: That's a lot of plants.) Meanwhile, open sides allow ample sunshine to filter through, and two smooth-gliding drawers offer storage for potting soil, gloves and gardening tools.

Best Bookcase for Kids' Rooms

Nothing will encourage an early love of reading like the Madison Standalone Bookrack. This kid-friendly bookcase sits low to the floor and showcases picture books by their covers. In turn, your little one can easily see and grab what they want to read next. The unit is also built from solid poplar wood, so it definitely won't tip over during playtime, and it boasts a large cubby for toys and stuffed animals. (Or more books!)

Best Bookcase for Dorms

The beauty of a Six-Cube Organizer like this is that it can be anything in a college dorm room — a bookcase, a TV stand, a kitchenette, even a shoe rack for an overflowing closet. The piece is extremely lightweight, too, so you'll have no problem getting it up the stairs, and it comes in nine hues to complement any "theme" or style. You can outfit the unit with fabric bins as well.

Best Bookcase for Kitchens

If your kitchen is tight on counterspace, then introduce this Six-Shelf Iron Folding Tower. (You'll thank us later.) The unit is crafted from cast iron in a neutral pewter finish and occupies a narrow footprint. In turn, you can slip it right next to the fridge or alongside the back door. Best of all? The bookcase is suitable for baking ingredients, condiments, cookbooks and even pots and pans if you add a couple of hooks.