Books Need Homes Too!

08. December 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Bookcase Design Tips · Tags: , , ,

by Matt Goering

Library Bookcases

Library Bookcases

Bookshelves are often overlooked when it comes to designing the interior of a home. The truth is that the right bookcase in the right place can make a world of difference, increasing the beauty of an interior and decreasing the clutter. Here are a few suggestions for different types of book shelves to consider if you’re in the market.

Freestanding Models
You can’t beat a good freestanding bookcase for convenience. Not only are they great places to store books and knick knacks, but they can be attractive furniture additions to your living spaces as well. The beauty of freestanding book shelves is the incredible variety of styles available. Corner bookcases are wonderful for making use of those odd corners in the living room or den, and provide an attractive place to store and display books and other valuables.

Rotating models are also available, and are very handy when used as end tables to store books, magazines, remotes, and other things you want to have within arm’s reach when stretching out on the couch.

If you’re looking for something really distinctive, consider a doored bookcase, a close cousin of the china cabinet. These are great for displaying everything from grandma’s old dishes to that autographed copy of The Old Man and the Sea that you’re always telling everybody about.

The fact is that when you’re talking freestanding book shelves, there’s a model out there that will satisfy just about any space, taste and budget.

Built-In Bookshelves
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the amount of furniture you already have, you’ll want to consider having built in bookcases installed instead. These can be custom designed to fit your living spaces, and often can be fitted in out of the way places or recessed into a wall where a freestanding model just wouldn’t work.

Some examples of places where built in bookshelves can really bring a room together include around fireplaces, doors and windows, beneath stairs or running up them, and in odd corners throughout the house. Bookcases have even been built in to serve as a barrier and divide a room into two distinct areas. If you have a space you think a custom built-in bookcase might be the ticket, Highlands Designs can make it happen.

8 Clever Ways To Use A Rolling Library Ladder All Over The House

10. November 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Bookcase Design Tips · Tags: , , ,

Time to go above and beyond library walls.

The classic rolling library ladder often evokes images of majestic libraries, full of epic bookshelves, and maybe Belle sing-songing about escaping her provincial life. But they can be used for a great variety of purposes – from straight utilitarian practicality, or adding a unique sense of design and room architecture. You may even be able to combine the two; let’s browse how a rolling library ladder could be just the right addition for your room. (Note: all photos were customer submitted!)

Kitchen Rolling Ladder

Rolling Ladder

Why not maximize your space? Finding a ladder set up that will provide access yet give you flexibility and room to cook is the way to go.

Dressing Room / Boudoir Rolling Ladder

Rolling Ladder

A great use of space for fashion-savvy folks. Especially if you are shuffling multiple outfits or bodies in and out of a compact area, the dressing room rolling ladder may make it all come together.

Living Room / Sitting Room Rolling Ladder

Rolling Ladder

The right rolling ladder can bridge elegance in design to enabling so many options – wouldn’t you want to explore those sprawling bookshelves with your guests, as the piano plays on through the night?

Home Office Rolling Ladder

Rolling Ladder

If you have files up to your eyeballs, or higher – maybe it’s time to maximize the shelving space available. Or if you are in a tight city apartment, and your “office” and “living room” (and more) don’t exactly have clear boundaries, the rolling ladder can help. Did you notice how the curved support rail connects between shelves, passing over the window?

(Stationary) Rolling Ladders In Place of Stairs

Sometimes fitting a true stairwell into a space just doesn’t work. With the right set up, a bit of strategy and some innovation, a rolling ladder could do a good stand-in for a full stair case.

Atrium / Side Exit Rolling Ladders

Rolling Ladder

Don’t let that extra wall space go to waste. A well-placed rolling ladder can give you access to storage or shelving that a doorway might otherwise inhibit. With a built-in ladder you can re-position at will, there is no more hassle.

Pantry Rolling Ladders

Rolling Ladder

Got a tall pantry or alcove where you store particular items? Maximize the area by using a rolling ladder – compact and flexible.

Rolling Ladders In The Closet

Rolling Ladder

Are you a collector? Is your spouse one? Maybe you have an extensive wardrobe or need to maintain one for your other activities; this might be the perfect solution for you. Keep your accessories and special items within arm’s reach, and bring some serious style to your wardrobe with a rolling ladder in your closet.

With all of these great ideas, have you found out where a rolling ladder would best fit in your home? Let us walk you through selecting all the right parts with our step by step ordering process – we’ll help you every step of the way. Or check here if you want to browse our Ladder Kits and various components.

Tips for Arranging & Organizing Bookshelves

23. August 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Bookcase Design Tips · Tags: , ,

by Lauren Frandsen

Bookshelves do double duty as storage space for books and display space for accessories. Learn how to arrange shelves so they are both fully functional and pleasing to the eye.

pictperfect01
Keep It Simple
To style a bookcase to perfection, resist the urge to pack in accessories on every shelf. Keep a clean look by choosing a one-color or tone-on-tone scheme for vases and figurines, and make sure to mix up shapes. Every so often, step back to assess the overall balance of your arrangement. Place items off-center or try larger or smaller ones until you like what you see.
pictperfect02
Doorway Savvy
Built-in bookshelves surrounding a doorway can be tricky; start by filling the top row with books. Alternate the remaining nooks with creatively stacked books and accessories.
pictperfect03
Everything Fits
To add interest to your book collection, alternate stacking books horizontally and vertically. Bold-color picture frames make great bookends and help photographs stand out on shelves.
pictperfect04
Less Is More
Mod shelves call for a sparse look, so group together a small set of books that are all of fairly uniform size. Accessorize with streamlined vases, leaving lots of open space on shelves to let the accessories shine through.
pictperfect05
Office Symmetry
To give office shelves an organized feel, gather a wide variety of collectibles and place them between books, creating loose symmetry. If you have a picture frame or square shape in one shelf, mirror it with a collectible of a similar shape and size. In a wall of shelves such as this, it’s important to scatter books here and there to punctuate the look.
pictperfect06
Color Smart
Carry your color scheme onto your bookshelf to give the room a sense of unity. Here, accent accessories on the shelves match the light blue wall color. Storage boxes conceal items such as toys and movies that you may not want out in the open.
pictperfect07
Outside Interest
Utilize a built-in bookcase as a fashionable and functional headboard. Baskets hold eyeglasses and lotions, leaving plenty of room for a library of nighttime reading materials. Add more appeal with adjustable reading lights mounted inside the bookcase. Hang a favorite piece of artwork on the front of the shelf for visual interest.
pictperfect08
Pleasing Prints
Adding wallpaper or printed fabric to the back wall of shelves creates a unique look and is an easy way to personalize a bookcase. Add woven baskets and decorative storage boxes to easily organize magazines and maintain a clean look. Attach fun labels to shelves to establish an organizing system for your books.
pictperfect09
Pottery Panache
Use pieces of sturdy pottery as bookends to keep shelves neat. Bookends especially come in handy for paperbacks and slimmer books, which are less likely to stay upright.
pictperfect10
Bold Yet Simple
If your book spines lack visual style, paint your bookshelf a vibrant color to make it the focus. To highlight the color even more, choose a single contrasting shade for accessories.
pictperfect11
Great Pyramids
Books can be used to create visual interest. Pyramidal stacks on the center shelves contrast the top shelf of entirely vertical books. Layer pieces of art behind shorter books or small accessories such as figurines.
pictperfect12
Alternative Arrangement
For a display-worthy bookcase, organize paperbacks in pretty baskets. Group like books together (by author, genre, etc.) and put labels on the baskets so books are easy to find.
pictperfect13
Functional Form
Shelves are great tools to keep a craft workroom organized. Slip magazine holders on open shelves to hold loose papers. Storage boxes conceal clutter and can be kept a neutral color to blend in. For a bolder look, cover boxes with printed paper. Use decorative containers and flea market finds to hold paintbrushes or pens and pencils.
pictperfect14
Jumbled Perfection
Vary heights and create interest by stacking books horizontally to use as platforms for displaying other objects. Pull together a small bookcase by arranging the top and bottom shelves in opposite ways.
pictperfect15
Lovely Layers
Deep shelves give you the luxury to play with layers. Lean plates and artwork along the back of the shelves, and anchor them with books or heavier objects. Place a few small pieces of art near the front of the shelves to give them depth.
pictperfect16
Photo Gallery
Turn bookshelves into a family photo zone by lining them with framed photographs. Place small photographs on stacks of books if there’s room for both. If your shelves are deep, try pushing the books to the back and placing photos in front.
pictperfect17
Art Focus
Focus attention on a favorite small sculpture by placing it solo on a shelf. Punctuate the display with groupings of books propped up with small vases or matching bookends.
pictperfect18
Clean Display
Get the most storage and style out of built-ins by filling the shelves with books; stack them vertically on the lower shelves and keep the top shelves more open. Arrange accessories two or three deep, keeping them fairly symmetrical for a clean look.

Analysis of a Well Styled Bookcase

12. August 2014 · Write a comment · Categories: Bookcase Design Tips · Tags: , , , ,
Vogue partition bookcase

I truly love to see bookcases in homes because they are the perfect solution for adding storage and style to your surroundings.  Books and collectibles on display add warmth and personality to any space, whether it’s a living or dining area, bedroom or home office.  To any visitor, a bookcase will communicate what you read, what you collect, and what you love.  Bookcases are a window into your passions and pursuits, and an opportunity for you to put your most favorite things on display.

The challenge for most people is how to style a bookcase well.  How do you maximize both utility and aesthetic appeal, but also avoid monotony and clutter?   Styling a bookcase is an art, but a job easily tackled if you study those done right.

It Starts with the Back

Simple inexpensive bookcases become stunners when their backs are dressed up with paint, fabric or wallpaper.  The bookcase below was brought to life with a pattern that accentuates the balanced display of books and collectibles. One of the bookcase options you can get at Highlands Designs is a beadboard back that adds character.

eddie ross billy bookcase styling for womans day 

When styled against a backdrop of robin’s egg blue, this collection from the home of model Coco Rochas has visual appeal, and showcases a love of books, antique coffeepots, vases, and glass bottles. Highlands Designs has partition bookcases like this that divides the space into multiple cubes.

vogue bookcase

via Vogue

Think in Layers

Here is a shelf masterfully styled by Emily Henderson.  Notice the balance achieved between the books alternating in placement from left to right with the ceramics poised on the opposite side.  The middle shelf repeats the books plus ceramics combination, and also provides the opportunity to display smaller collectibles.  Different heights and textures also add to the appeal.

emily henderson hgtv

via HGTV

Vary Book Placement

Did you know there are 7 ways to stack books?  Karen from The Art of Doing Stuff teaches us how she styled hers in her partition bookcases to break up the columns.  Notice how she doesn’t just stick to books, she adds art and natural objects too.  And don’t you love that reading chair?

art of doing stuff bookcase

via The Art of Doing Stuff

Arrange Books by Color

Inside this IKEA Expedit, the books are grouped by color, and also displayed both horizontally and vertically.  Practical baskets mix with glass bowls, vases and collectibles to form an aesthetically pleasing display on a brightly painted wall.

ikea bookcase style at home

via Style at Home

Hang Something

There’s no rule you have to keep it all inside.  Why not add one more layer of interest?  Consider using the framing of the bookcases to suspend a dramatic mirror, framed artwork, or sentimental photographs.

framed art on bookcase

House Beautiful; source unknown

bookshelf hgtv

via HGTV

It’s OK to be Single

Smaller cubbies look simply perfect with a textured or sculptural object placed all by itself.  Notice the use of a single vase or shell in the smaller spaces of John & Sherry’s bookcase, and the fantastic contrast with bold blue and crisp white.

yhl painted built in

via Young House Love

Think Oddly

Objects tend to look better when gathered in odd numbers, and the basic design principle of the rule of threes is cleverly applied in this bookcase featured in Lonny Magazine.  Notice how most of the books are stacked horizontally, but the bookcase becomes so stylish with the varied and perfectly placed decorative objects, prints, and forward facing book covers.

bookcase lonny

via Lonny

Varied groupings of three or five are always visually appealing.  This bookcase from the home of Lisa Martensen is an example of a well edited display from her treasure hunts and travels all around the world.

dmagazine lisa martensen

via D Magazine

Allow Room to Breathe

With airy shelving, it’s best to not overwhelm and allow for plenty of breathing room around objects.  Deliberate use of open space keeps the eclectic collection on this bookshelf from appearing too cluttered.

viva terra railroad bookshelf

via Viva Terra

With a little concentration, it’s possible to style a bookshelf well with both books and the things you love.  The secret to doing it successfully is truly all in the placement and editing of your favorite objects.

Newer articles »