A modular bookshelf is an individual unit that may be used alone or placed with other bookshelves to create a large storage system. Modular bookshelves are often used to display plants and decorative items as well as books. A modular type of bookshelf may be a freestanding floor unit or it may be a frame-like piece meant to hang on the wall. Metal, wood and plastic are some of the most popular modular bookshelf materials and their designs range from classic to creative.
Creative bookshelf units may be irregular or free-form in shape such as having a stair-shaped structure due to shelving sections of graduating heights. Other types of units include a shelf design that is purposely slanted. These kinds of modular bookshelves can add a lot of modern style to any room in a home.
A major feature of modular bookcases is versatility, since they may be used alone or in groups. Bins, boxes or baskets can be added to the different compartments that many modular shelving units have to hide away clutter while at the same time display decorative accent pieces. Classic kinds of modular bookshelves have a straight, uniform shelf design in neat rows.
Modular bookcases made from movable cubes can be especially versatile. Wood or metal cube units slide or snap together to make a tall modular bookshelf or a low horizontal one. By making two stacks with several cubes, then spacing these far apart enough to fit a chair, a table top can be placed on top of the bookshelf units to create a desk. Most cube styles of modular bookcase are very affordable.
White, black, metal and wood looks are common finishes for modular bookshelves, but they may also be in bright or pastel colors. Modular bookshelf designs may be rounded or straight-lined. For example, one type of modular bookcase consists of oval shelves attached together in rows. A straight-edged, triangular modular shelving unit has rectangular lower shelf sections that gradually get shorter in width until they reach one tiny compartment at the top.
Open, box-like modular shelves designed to be hung on the wall are used to display small decorative items. Larger, sturdier wall modular bookshelf designs may hold collections of smaller books. These are sold in many different shapes, including circular and rectangular. These modular bookshelves for walls may be hung in out-of-the-way corners in a home or above a bed or living room sofa.