Bookcases & Shelving Units — Tall, Narrow & Low

A bookcase is storage that shows off what you keep on it: books, photographs, plants and the things you've collected. The right one fits the wall, holds the weight, and leaves enough space between shelves for what you actually own.

Below you'll find how to choose the size, how to style the shelves, and how to keep a tall bookcase safe. See also sideboards, display cabinets and our storage furniture.

Tall bookcases

A tall bookcase gives the most storage for the floor space it uses, and draws the eye up in a room with a high ceiling. Fix it to the wall: tall, heavy shelving can tip if it's climbed or loaded unevenly.

Narrow bookcases and small bookcases

A narrow bookcase fits beside a fireplace, at the end of a sofa or in a hallway where a wider unit would block the way. A small bookcase or low unit sits under a window or beside a desk and gives you a surface on top as well.

Shelving units

Open shelving units and cube shelves are lighter to look at than a closed bookcase and work as room dividers in an open-plan space. Mixed-size openings let you combine books with baskets, plants and decorative pieces.

Wooden bookcases

A wooden bookcase in oak or mango wood is strong enough for heavy books and brings warmth to a living room or study. Painted and taupe finishes are softer and suit bedrooms and a calmer scheme.

How to style bookshelves

Don't fill every shelf edge to edge. Mix rows of upright books with small horizontal stacks, leave some space, and repeat a colour or material across the shelves so it looks considered. Heavier items belong on the lower shelves.

Delivery and assembly

Furniture is delivered in 2 to 3 weeks unless the product page says otherwise. Our own team delivers across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and carries each piece into the room you choose, rather than leaving it at the door. Assembly is optional and can be added when you order; the cost is shown on each product.

Bookcase FAQs

Should a tall bookcase be fixed to the wall?

Yes. An anti-tip fixing stops a tall bookcase falling if it's climbed or loaded unevenly.

What is the difference between a bookcase and a shelving unit?

A bookcase usually has a closed back and sides; a shelving unit is often more open, and can be used as a room divider.

What size bookcase fits beside a fireplace?

Measure the alcove width and depth and choose a narrow bookcase that leaves a little space either side.