7 Best Bookshelves in India Reviews & Buying Guide 2021

For avid readers, bookshelves are one of the most important pieces of furniture in the entire house. With the help of a bookcase, you can have a mini library at your home.

Apart from books, you can even keep your daily used items in an organized way on these shelves.

Here are a few important factors that you should check before buying a bookshelf for your home.

Size:

You can select the size of the bookcase depending on the space available in the room. If there is plenty of free space, you can buy a wide shelf.

If you have a lot of books but there is not enough space, you can buy a taller bookshelf.

Material:

Bookshelves are made using different types of materials such as metal or solid hardwood.

Bookcases that are made using metals (stainless steel, iron) and solid hardwoods (walnut, oak, or maple) are sturdy and durable. However, they are a bit expensive too.

Bookshelves made using MDF or engineered wood are cost-effective and are widely used by users. But they are not very sturdy.

If there is a budget constraint, you can buy a bookshelf made using MDF or engineered wood. If not, it is best to buy a bookshelf made using metal or solid wood.

Number of Shelves:

It is suggested to buy a bookshelf that can accommodate around 20 books (both thin and thick books) easily.

You can look for a bookcase with three to four shelves where you can keep 10-12 books on each shelf. This is the average capacity of a bookshelf.

Wheels, depth, and finish are some additional factors that also play a major role in deciding the quality of a bookshelf. We have described these factors in detail in the buying guide.

Here are some of the best bookshelves available in the market that can go well with the interior of your house. Let’s have a look!

7 Best Bookshelves in India

Best Bookshelves in India

1. DeckUp 3-Shelf Bookshelves

A matte finish book shelf that can blend with any interior, and enhance its richness; that is how we would describe DeckUp bookshelf.

It is a dark wenge finish furniture, which comes with three broad and big shelves, that can accommodate books of any size and other décor accents too. 

DeckUp is a standard and customizable 3 tier shelf that allows you to arrange the height of each shelf as per your requirement.

Here are some more reasons why you should think of buying a DeckUp Bookshelf:

• There is an extra block of wood at the bottom of the shelf which gives it a sturdy base.
• The product requires basic assembly, and comes with an easy to follow instruction manual.
• It’s a light weight furniture, so you can move it easily.

The bookshelf is made of engineered wood with laminate, that gives a beautiful shine to the furniture, and makes it easy to clean it.

The dimensions of DeckUp shelf is 16-inches x 11-inches x 42-inches (length x width x height), giving it ample depth to accommodate thick books, and other decorative items easily. 

Pros:

• A great product that comes at affordable rate
• Is very easy to install

Con:

Might take a lot of space compared to a corner shelf

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2. MemeHo 4-Cases Bookshelf

MemeHo bookshelf, which comes within an economical price range, is another best stationary rack for your home or office.

As it is multifunctional, you can use it as a storage organizer for books, bookcases for home, and cabinet shelves for office, living room, or bedroom. 

With 4-cases, it has sufficient space to divide and organize things. So, it not only looks neat, but you can also find and sort out the desired items easily. 

It uses high-quality materials including high-grade plastic fittings, high-galvanized steel pipes on each bookshelf, and laminated non-woven fabric for durable use.

Few more benefits to choosing this bookshelf are:

• Multifunctional to store books, stationery, and clothes. 
• The weight-bearing capacity of the shelf is 5 kg.
• It is waterproof, and so your things are safe from damage. 
• It is adjustable and covered on the sides. 
• Easy DIY arrangement

The package includes 10 pieces of side plastic fittings, 16 pieces of short pipes, 20 pieces of long pipes, 5 pieces of base cover, 4 pieces of the outer cover, and installation instructions. 

It is about 155 cm high, 41 cm long, and 28 cm wide. So it occupies a small space and fits well anywhere. 

Pros:

• Elegant design
• Perfectly stable bookshelf
• Sturdy and durable
• Ideal home furniture for books in the office and home
• You can use it as a children’s book rack too.
• Easy to assemble
• Strong enough to place more items

Cons:

• The quality of rods and pieces supplied was not up to the mark.

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3. Custom Decor Wall Rack Book Shelves

Custom Décor’s wooden book shelf is a true classic. It is a corner shelf made of Sheesham wood, one of the best hardwoods found on Indian soil. 

The material is what makes Customer Décor bookshelf a sturdy and durable product, that will stand tall for years without showing a single crack. 

Compared to DeckUp and Décor Nation we have a 5 tier shelf for you here that looks more like a rack, with the size of the shelves broadening as you go down. 

Some more good things that we noted about Custom Décor bookshelf are:

• It is a corner shelf which means the furniture will occupy less space.
• The Honey Teak Brown color gives a kind of rustic look to the shelf.
• Custom Décor is a great storage unit option for bathroom, closet, home office, living room, kid room, kitchen etc.

It is an open bookshelf with a single vertical slant placed along the length of the shelf, in a way that it can hold books, thin magazines and other knick-knacks easily. 

The height of furniture is a good 63 inches, length is 16-inches and width a mere 16 inches, making it perfect for all types of corners.

Pros:

• The three legs have three protective caps at the bottom giving the item a steady base
• The bookshelf is already assembled so you don’t have to take any extra effort

Con:

• Beware of the scratches and crevices, check the product thoroughly

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4. Paradox Studio BookShelf

Are you looking for a unique bookshelf that gives enough book space and also adds room decor? Then, here you go for the new and stylish Paradox Studio bookshelf that looks like a tree extension. 

This standalone and freestanding display wooden shelf has four shelves with sufficient space to organize your books in a better stylish way. As you can arrange them in a slanted way, it looks neat and avoids cluttering. 

Moreover, it is elegant with the special tree design, Mahogany finishing, and natural wood grain finishes giving the perfect classic touch to your room. It uses premium quality medium-density fiberboard made from MDF wood, and so it lasts long. 

Some other features you should not overlook of this Paradox studio bookshelf are:

• As it is a freestanding shelf, it does not depend on the walls. 
• It has a unique color that is distinguishing and attractive. 
• It weighs just 5.7 kg and, so you can move it from one place to the other as per your preferred areas and adjust the location. 
• You can easily assemble this bookshelf with the provided mounting material and instructions. There is no need for additional tools or persons for its assembly.
• It is safe enough as it is robust, sturdy, and has good wooden processing. 

With a compact size of 32*19.5*54 cm dimensions, it fits well in your narrow corridors, smaller living rooms, or office spaces. Yet, it has larger storage space to occupy your favorite books and novels. 

Pros:

• You can easily install and assemble it. 
• The thickness of the board is about 12 mm.
• There is larger storage space on the bookshelf. 
• It has a better space-saving design.
• It can carry heavy weights too. 
• High-quality wooden material with a beautiful Mahogany finish

Cons:

• It is very small in size.

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5. Amazon Brand – Solimo Bookcase

Among many other popular brands, Amazon’s brand Solimo serves you with premium-quality furniture. This Solimo pavo engineered wood bookcase is yet another beautiful and worthy product for well-organized spaces in homes and offices. 

As it has five spacious rectangular shelves and huge height, it provides ample space to arrange different items like books, files, and other stationery that are within reach.

Never compromising on the outlook and quality, Solimo fulfills its customers’ desires. So this bookcase is made elegant with a modern and minimalist design using engineered wood and walnut finishing. As it has European standard particleboard, it looks sturdy and neat with awesome build and processing. 

Some other features that make this Solimo bookcase preferable are:

• The engineered wood of this bookcase is of high quality and assures 100% safety as it passed over 20 quality and safety tests. 
• Its smooth and curvilinear edges avoid accidental cuts and graze. 
• With sturdy and large storing space, it can bear weights up to 60 kg. 
• It is resistant to hot water, stains, and humidity increasing durability.
• The construction avoids harmful carcinogens like formaldehyde, lead, and pentachlorophenol. 

With a larger size of 70*30*174.5 (L*W*H) cms and five shelves, it is good enough to store more books. 

Pros:

• A large space for organizing books
• Looks good with a walnut finish 
• It uses high-quality wood and so becomes durable and stable. 
• Tested better for more than 20 quality and safety tests
• No harmful chemicals  
• Safer curved edges avoiding accidents
• Easy cleaning and maintenance
• Free installation service
• 3 years warranty 

Cons:

• You have to ensure that the heavier items are placed on the top shelves and also avoid kids reaching the long bookcase. 
• Maybe prone to damage if dragged or pulled around frequently
• Regular maintenance with a damp cloth is required to avoid earlier damage

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6. Klaxon Omega Bookshelf

Isn’t it better to always have an item of high-quality yet expensive furniture that lasts long in your house? Right, here is a solution from Klaxon Omega if you are looking for one such bookshelf. It is one of the best places to get plastic fittings, glass patches, architectural fittings, handles and locks, and many more items. 

This Klaxom Omega wall-mounted bookshelf is unique from others listed over here by its distinctive modernized design, shape, and shelf arrangement. 

It blends with the classic and stylish room decors either in your house, office, or hotel by its wenge texture on the durable engineered wood. 

Other best features of this Klaxom Omega wooden bookshelf that lure you are:

• It looks like a modernized wall shelf with sufficient fittings.
• Being multifunctional, you can not only use it as a bookcase, and so it even gives enough space to organize magazines, photos, and mini decorative items. 
• DIY assembly aided by provided hardware

Its dimensions are 55.2*20*82.2 (L*W*H) cm, and so it gives a different shape and appeal wherever you place it. As it is made of high-grade wood with necessary processings, it can bear a maximum of about 20 kg weight.

Pros:

• The wall-mount bookshelf looks nice even in a crowded room.
• Unique room decor
• Good finishing 
• Sufficient space to place books
• It can bear heavier books up to 20 kgs. 

Cons:

• Installation is a bit troublesome. It is better to have installation from a carpenter. 
• No sufficient screws in the packing
• The frames and the lower brackets seem to be falling. 

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7. Surprise BookShelves

Surprise bookshelf is nothing like the others in our list, because this is spacious, strong, and made of high quality plastic. 

Surprise is a four tier bookshelf perfect for stacking books and other items such as laundries, groceries etc. 

Also, it’s a cubic bookshelf with back as well as side support which ensures complete safety of all items kept on it. 

Some more important benefits of Surprise Bookshelf are:

• You can easily dismantle and carry it anywhere.
• Comes in two attractive dark colors – black and brown making it easy to maintain the shelf.
• You can even use it in your kid’s room as there is no threat of breaking and cracking, or sharp corners.

The height of each cube is 10.5 inches, making it an ideal to stack big files and thick books. 

Surprise shelf’s weight is a mere 4.1kg, making it very easy to carry the product, even without dismantling it. 

Pros:

• The product is best suited for bachelor accommodations, as it requires less space and can stack-up more
• It very easy to assemble the shelf

Con:

• The base might bend if you stack too many items
• No warranty

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Best Bookshelves – Buying Guide

The most important factors that you should check for before buying a bookshelf for your home are as follows:

1. Size:

The size of the bookshelf is one of the first and most important factors that you must consider. To decide the size, you will first have to check that how much space is available in the room where you are planning to install the bookshelf.

If there is a lot of open space, you can buy a wide bookshelf that is several feet wide.

However, if there is not enough space but you have many books, you should look for a longer shelf rather than going for a wide bookshelf.

But if you don’t have many books, you can buy one or more small bookcases. Hence, you should measure the space available in your place and then select the size.

Apart from this, another pointer that you must consider is whether there are children at your home or not? If yes, do you want to give access to the bookshelf to the kids? If the answer is yes, you can buy a shorter option for the bookshelf.

However, if you don’t want to give access to the kids, you can buy a taller bookshelf where you can even keep fragile items on the shelf. Make sure that you mount the bookshelf on the wall though.

2. Depth:

Most of the bookshelves are about 12 inches deep so that there is more space for storage. However, there are a few models of bookcases like leaning style or ladder style bookshelves that feature narrow shelves. Think of what type of books (thick or thin) are you going to store in the bookshelf and then buy accordingly.

3. Material:

Bookcases are made using different types of materials. Some of the most commonly used materials are as follows:

• Wood:

Wooden bookshelves feature a solid, durable, and long-lasting frame. They offer a traditional look to the interior of your house. Wood is considered as an ideal and standard material used to make a bookshelf. They can withstand a good amount of weight too.

• MDF or Particle Board:

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can check for a bookshelf that is made using MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or particle board. These bookshelves look like ones made using real wood and are available at an affordable price.

However, particle board is not very sturdy. Thus, before loading up the shelf with books, you must consider weight restrictions as well.

• Metal:

Bookshelves made using metal offer sturdy storage option and are less bulky when compared to the shelves made using wood or particle board. Thus, if you prefer having a streamlined or contemporary style bookshelf at your home, you can buy metal bookshelves.

You will find many lightweight designs with different shape options in metal shelves. These designs go very well with the interior of your house. Some bookcases with metal frames use marble or wood shelving. These types of bookshelves are perfect to be used in offices.

• Laminate:

Laminate bookshelves look like any other laminate furniture set. There is a protective layer that is either vinyl-based or plastic-based. Due to its modern design, the structure and the shelves look neat and fresh. You can get these shelves in any color and they are resistant to spills and dings as well.

• Glass:

Bookshelves with glass frames are usually available with a metallic support structure that connects multiple pieces of glass. There are some bookshelves that are constructed completely using glass. However, they are rarely available.

4. Design:

Before going to shop for a bookshelf, you can think of a design that will look good in your house. Choosing the appropriate design will help you in narrowing down your choices to a great extent. This will also help you in focusing on the style or material that you should check for.

Bookshelves are available in the following designs:

• Cube:

In cube-shaped bookshelves, you will find cubic spaces where you can either store your books or other belongings. The frames are either in square shape or rectangle to make a symmetrical array of cubes.

If you are looking forward to buying a modern bookshelf, you can buy a casual cube-style bookshelf that can be expanded in either height or width.

• Standard:

Bookshelves available in standard designs are usually large and are available as a single piece of furniture with multiple horizontal shelves, support walls, and a backing wall. These bookshelves are often rectangular-shaped and tall. However, this might not be the case always. The commonly used construction material to make standard bookcases is wood. You might find them in other materials too.

If you are looking to buy a basic bookshelf, you can go ahead with a standard bookcase. You can keep rectangle-shaped hardcover books on these shelves that are around 10 inches deep.

• Modular or Built-in:

Modular bookshelves usually come in sets of 2, or more shelves. These shelves can either be interlocked or they can even rest against each other. You can arrange them in a design of your choice. They are often available in cube-based structures and are designed in a way to meet all your requirements.

• Ladder and Leaning Bookshelves:

Leaning and ladder bookshelves offer the users a great solution to manage and optimize the space at your office or home.

Leaning bookshelves feature a special design and are dependent upon balancing against the wall. The overall frame of these bookshelves has a tilted look whereas the shelves remain horizontal when you are placing the frame against the wall at an appropriate angle.

There are some “stepped” shelves too. The size of these shelves decreases gradually as you move up.

• Corner:

Corner bookshelves are great to be used in smaller rooms, apartments, or for those who don’t have much space to keep the bookshelf. These types of bookshelves are made at the right angle with an ideal shape so that they can be wedged in tight nooks.

Corner bookshelves tend to hold a lesser number of books when compared to a standard bookcase. However, it is ideal for keeping picture albums, scrapbooks, or storybooks.

• Barrister:

As the name suggests, the barrister bookcases were initially designed to help lawyers in storing and moving the extensive collection of law books. These types of bookshelves have doors with smoked glass so that the books remain in place even when you are moving the entire bookshelf.

These bookshelves look formal and have either solid or flip-up glass doors. If you prefer buying furniture that looks traditional or vintage, you can buy a barrister bookcase. It is even suitable for those who have a lot of professional space available.

• Etagere:

The etagere bookshelf looks delicate when compared to a standard bookshelf. It has an open back and the shelves are usually made using glass. The standard bookshelves offer functionality whereas the etagere bookcase is more about form.

• Scaffold:

The scaffold bookshelves are named after the way they look. The shelving in these bookcases is often suspended between two ladder-like supports.

5. Style:

Talking about the style, there are various options for bookshelves available in the market. The most common styles are as follows:

• Traditional:

Traditional bookshelves feature a solid appearance and feature artful detail. These were available in the era of ancient kings and queens.

Most of them feature carved wood details and ornamental work or accent to give them a vintage look.

• Modern:

The modern bookshelves belong to the era of the mid-20th century. They often feature a minimalistic design, but they catch your attention quickly.

Modern bookshelves are usually asymmetrical and don’t have back support.

• Contemporary:

One of the most amazing features of contemporary bookshelves is there is no specific theory or look behind its design.

Bookshelves in contemporary design often go well with the interior of your house and available in various shapes. Most of them feature a progressive tone such as a ladder-type design.

• Rustic:

Rustic bookshelves feature an appearance that looks similar to a cottage or a pastoral. These shelves are often made using natural wood. They are broad and have a simple shape and design.

Even though they look a bit rugged, there is something beautiful about these shelves.

• Coastal:

Coastal bookshelves are rare styled. They look like furniture made using bamboo. Coastal bookshelves feature a natural yet rustic look.

You can get a nice and calm feel after seeing these types of bookshelves.

• Industrial:

The industry-styled bookshelves look very fascinating too. They usually feature a bold, strong, and a metallic construction and sometimes wood.

6. Adjustable Shelves:

Many manufacturers make bookshelves where you can do a little bit of customizations. Hence, there are a few adjustable shelves too.

These adjustable shelves are very useful if you want to keep large books or large objects in the bookshelf. You can simply remove the shelf and keep the book accordingly.

Note:

If the shelves in the bookcase are fixed, measure the space that you require to keep the book beforehand. Adjustable shelves give you flexibility and you can adjust the height of the shelves any time.

7. On-Display or Hidden Away:

You can buy a bookshelf with doors and drawers so that there is no unwanted clutter visible to anyone. Bookshelves that have doors are also called as bookshelf cabinets. They provide security and keep the books safe and dust-free.

Many users prefer buying display bookcases as they not only store the books/items but are easily available on display too. If you have special pictures, mementos, or other artworks, you can keep them in the display bookshelf.

The best part about open bookshelves is they can be accessed from both front as well as back. If you have a big and spacious living room, you can buy an open bookcase and even use it as a room divider. You will have to place it perpendicular to a wall. Check the depth of the shelves and then you can store the books in a way that the spines face out from both sides.

8. Finish and Style:

A piece of furniture that looks good at one corner of your house might not look that great on the other corner. Hence, check the style and the finish of the bookshelf properly and see if it will look good at the place where you are planning to place it.

Styling of the bookshelf matters a lot too. Sometimes, in a modern-style room, rustic bookcase suits perfectly well.

9. Wheels:

If you are thinking to use the bookshelf as a room divider or if you are more like to redecorate the room frequently, you can buy a bookshelf with wheels. This will make it easier to move the bookshelf from one room to the other.

How to Keep Bookshelves Safe?

To keep your books safe, you need to take care of the bookshelf. Here are some steps that you should be taking to keep your shelves pest free:

• Keep food away from the books. Or if you are using the shelve as a table top then clean it immediately after removing the tea cup and saucer. 
• Use camphor or naphthalene as a deterrent. 
• You can also sprinkle fine pepper along the edges of your bookshelf, or insect powder which is equally effective. 
• Maintain optimum humidity level in case it is a huge book case, or a wall mounted bookshelf. High moisture attracts insects. 

How to Clean Bookshelves?

Bookshelves are a beautiful way of showcasing your book collection, and hence need to be maintained. 

Follow these ways, tips and tricks to keep your bookshelves clean:

Things you will need:

1.Boxes

2. Paper towels

3. Cleaning products:

• Wooden Shelves – Murphy’s oil soap or any other wood cleaning product

• Plastic Shelves – All-purpose cleaner

• Glass Shelves – Windex or other glass cleaner

• Metal Shelves – Cleaner designed for the specific bookshelf metal

4. Soft Cloth

5. Swiffer duster (optional)

Steps to Clean:

Step 1 – Start by removing all the items from the shelf – books, decorative pieces, cutleries, vases.

Step 2 – Place the items in a box and keep it out of reach so that you do not trip while cleaning.

Step 3 – If there are many shelves then start by cleaning the top and work your way down. This way in case any dust or debris falls, it will land on the shelf that has not yet been cleaned.

Step 4 – Once the shelf has been cleaned, dust it with a soft cloth or a Swiffer duster to remove the last remaining dust. 

In case you have an adjustable shelf, then remove the racks and clean the holes as well. 

Step 5 – Now it is time to clean the shelf itself. Use a cleaner designed for the material the shelf is made of. 

Step 6 – Wipe the shelf with a soft cloth and the cleaning product based on the material of the bookcase.

Step 7 – Rinse the shelf if necessary.

Step 8 –  Dry the rack with a soft cloth.

Step 9 – Replace the shelf liner if necessary.

Step 10 – Keep all the items back in the shelf.

Step 11 – In case you have a bigger shelf, then continue the same process on the other parts. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

A book shelf is a unique furniture that is used for style and storage. If you are a book-lover, then having a bookshelf that will stack your collectives is a must have.

We understand this emotion way too well, which is why have ensured to put up the best bookshelves that can be availed at cheaper cost in our list.

Our personal favorite is Deckup, for its contemporary design, superior quality and also more number of shelves, that makes it a utility cum decorative storage unit.

But, if you think otherwise then we will be very happy to know the reason. So, do share your comments and help other buyers too.

Also, if you have already been using any of these bookshelves, then share your experience too.

Stay Intelligent, Keep Reading!