Bookcases and shelving systems that evolve with your home

They say you can tell a lot about someone from the books they read – but what about the shelf they put them on? From minimalist designs to sculptural statement pieces, here’s our pick of the best bookcases and bookshelves to suit every style, space and reader.

shelving with books and objects
‘Rombe' by Industrial Facility for &Tradition
(Image credit: &Tradition)

In our view, the best bookcases are the ones that grow and adapt with our needs over time. Whether downsizing or expanding, using for storage or display, we're drawn to the designs that can be modified and adapted over a lifetime and beyond. We've scoured the spring fairs in Stockholm, Milan and Copenhagen to bring you our pick of the best, spanning recently reissued bookshelves and shelving systems pulled from the archives of legendary designers, alongside enduring classics and new designs fresh from the fairs. After all, if your taste in books can evolve, your shelf should be able to keep up.

Browse our edit of shelving systems


Fredericia delves into Mogens Koch's archive

Utility meets softness in Industrial Facility's 'Rombe'

A modular masterpiece

Shelving as sculpture

A design icon gets a colour update

A HAY classic revisited

More than just a shelving system

A celebration of wood

'As little design as possible'

A Swiss design icon

Also see: our favourite coffee tables and console tables

Ali Morris is a UK-based editor, writer and creative consultant specialising in design, interiors and architecture. In her 16 years as a design writer, Ali has travelled the world, crafting articles about creative projects, products, places and people for titles such as Dezeen, Wallpaper* and Kinfolk.