A wall of floor to ceiling bookcases adds a luxurious and sophisticated feel to any room. The bookcases are not just for storing books but can be a place to display art and personal mementos. Add baskets or drawers and the bookcases can double as storage units for everyday items. While built-in floor to ceiling bookcases can be very difficult to construct, there are several ways you can get this look with less effort.
Free-Standing Shelves
Use store-bought, free-standing shelving units to easily create a wall of bookcases. Find shelving units that fit into the space you have and use several sets of shelves to fit the wall space from floor to ceiling. You can even mix styles as long as all the shelves are at exactly the same height. Use brackets to attach the shelves to the wall and hold them in place. Buy unfinished shelving units and paint them all the same color to create a unified look.
L-Bracket Bookcases
As an alternative to a standard bookcase, you can use metal L-brackets to give the appearance of a stack of books that seem to float in space. You will need some large books that you do not read, such as coffee table books. Simply screw two L-brackets to the wall. The brackets should be next to each other and a few inches apart. Take a large book and slide the bottom cover over the brackets. Screw the back cover to the bracket so that it does not hang down and is securely attached. Now stack your books on top of the base book. Use a series of L-brackets to create a floor to ceiling array of books that appears to hang on the wall as if by magic.
Wine Boxes
If you have a liquor or wine store nearby, ask for their old wooden wine crates. You can also use wooden fruit crates. Stack these up along your wall to create funky shelving. Use a variety of sizes to create an interesting array. Glue the crates together with wood glue to make a stack. Secure the stack of crates to the wall with L-brackets and screws.
Boards and Bricks
With boards and bricks you can effortlessly construct a bookcase that offers a myriad of storage options. You will need boards the length of your wall, along with bricks. Create a rustic look with salvaged bricks and wood from an old barn. Make two stacks of three or four bricks at each end of the wall. Lay the first board on top of the bricks. Make two more stacks of bricks spaced so that they are not directly above the first two stacks then place another board on top. Continue to build up layers of bricks and boards until you have reached the height you need.
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