Skip to Content
  • west elm
  • west elm kids
  • west elm business to business
  • Pottery Barn
  • PB Kids
  • PB Teen
  • Williams Sonoma
  • WS Home
  • Rejuvenation
  • Mark & Graham
  • Stores
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Track Your OrderClick to track your order.Track Order

Pay on your terms with Affirm →

Donate to SickKids® →

  • Account
    • Sign In / Create Account
    • B2B Member Sign In
    • Registry
  • Track Your OrderClick to track your order.Track Order
  • FavoritesClick to view your favorite products.Favourites
  • CartClick to view your cartCart
West Elm West Elm offers modern furniture and home decor featuring inspiring designs and colors.
Back arrow
West Elm West Elm offers modern furniture and home decor featuring inspiring designs and colors.
Iconography/search
Account
Access your orders, manage rewards, save your store, and more.
  • Track Orders
    Track & manage your orders
  • add to favorites
    Favourites
    Save your favourite items
  • registry
    Registry
    Create, find and manage registries
  • Gift Cards
  • Free Design Services
Customer Service
Find A Store
[+] Give Us Feedback
1.855.860.1082
Iconography/cart
Back arrow
  • west elm

The Summer Collection
Shop new arrivals →

Up to 20% off outdoor
Shop now →

Instant living room refresh
Shop accent chairs, coffee tables & more →

Up to 50% off
Shop all sale →

  • Furniture
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Related Categories

  • In-Stock Living Room Furniture In-Stock Living Room Furniture
  • Sofas & Loveseats Sofas & Loveseats
  • Sectionals Sectionals
  • Chairs Chairs
  • Coffee Tables Coffee Tables
  • End & Side Tables End & Side Tables
  • TV & Media Consoles TV & Media Consoles
  • Console & Sofa Tables Console & Sofa Tables
  • Ottomans & Stools Ottomans & Stools
  • Benches Benches
  • Sofa & Sectional Collections Sofa & Sectional Collections
  • All Living Room All Living Room
Item 1 of 12

Bookcases + Shelving

The things a person accumulates over the years reveal a lot about them. You proudly show off your favourite movies to friends, delight in listening to the music that defines you and also take the time to keep little souvenirs and reminders of the places your travels or memorable experiences have taken you. Whether you’re a book aficionado or a sports fan, your keepsakes deserve to be seen. Plus, you also need somewhere to keep them all. In modern homes, bookcases and shelves have to take care of both roles: the practical side of offering storage, and the fashionable part of looking gorgeous. west elm’s living room bookcases and shelving are functional and fabulous. They balance your decor while making your most precious possessions shine. Here’s how.

 

Each room has different areas where a bookcase fits perfectly. Some bookcases are totally vertical, others are short and wide, and some combine the best of both worlds. So what goes where? That’s totally up to your imagination. Vertical bookcases are usually used as complementary pieces, which means they look especially beautiful in the corners of a room. They also handle small spaces – like the area next to a window – masterfully. Bookcases take advantage of leftover wall space to bring the room together and make it feel complete. You can use a single bookcase, a matching pair spaced apart or several different kinds placed around the room.

 

Wide bookcases, cabinets and console tables are very powerful pieces. They’re just as comfortable blending into the background as they are drawing attention to an accent wall. That makes them ideal for placing underneath a large painting or a prominent decorative object. Besides their top surface, horizontal bookcases also offer tons of shelf space for – you guessed it – books, artwork, photographs and anything else that defines you.

 

What you want to display is up to you, but the general idea is to let people know more about who you are and what you like. A room with a clear signature of your personality wows guests and makes you feel happy too. And it’s a great confidence booster. Your favourite novels, pictures of friends and family, awards – basically whatever made you who your are – all look great on a bookcase in your living room, bedroom or home office.

 

Display cabinets highlight your prized collection pieces with even more sophistication by putting them behind glass. Some people like to use their display case to protect fine china from their wedding day, and others prefer to keep an aged bottle of expensive scotch or wine ready for special celebrations. The cabinet’s natural wood finish gives your room a hint of vintage flair.

 

Another way to maximize the decorative possibilities of any room is to add shelves. They fit in places not many other pieces of furniture can go, giving you a spot to put a brilliant vase with flowers, candles and other decor. Whether long, short, wide and narrow, there’s no limit to what you can do with a shelf or several.

 

In the living room, shelves can be accent pieces or additional fixtures. Accent shelves capture your attention. They’re a good place for large pieces of art or planters. For instance, a long shelf has enough space for a print in the center, along with several other accessories on each side. Another way to enhance the wall is to use two or more shelves arranged above each other vertically. This kind of layout offers the storage capacity of a large bookcase, but with a much more open feel.

 

Bookcases and shelves come in all shapes and finishes. For something sleek and modern, think about including touches of glass and metal. Mirrored shelves take elegance to new levels and combine perfectly with bright lighting and natural illumination. Use reclaimed wood if you want the feel of rustic or industrial. And remember that no one said you have to color inside the lines. Abstract shapes lend an artistic vibe to the living room.

  • Customer service

  • Contact Us
  • Track your order
  • Returns & exchanges
  • Shipping information
  • Email Preferences
  • Resources

  • Gift Cards
  • Buy Online Pick Up In Store
  • More about us

  • Sustainability
  • Responsible retail glossary
  • Designers
  • Careers
  • Find A Store
  • Design services

  • Meet with design crew
  • Room Planner
  • B2B programs

  • Overview
  • west elm TRADE
  • west elm CONTRACT

Sign up for sale, new arrivals & more

*By submitting your email address, you are providing your consent to Williams-Sonoma Canada. Inc., doing business as west elm on behalf of itself and its affiliates, including Williams-Sonoma. Inc., to send electronic messages to your email or similar account about updates on future events and promotions relating to WSI Brands, our affiliates and our Select Partners. You may also receive tailored ads on social media and other websites. You can withdraw your consent at any time by Contacting Us. We will treat the information you provide in accordance with our Privacy Policy. For additional details, please see our Terms & Conditions.

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Follow Us

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • youTube

*Some exclusions apply. Click here for details

  • © 2025 Williams-Sonoma Inc., All Rights Reserved
  • Terms & Conditions (Updated September 2021) |
  • Privacy Policy (Updated September 2021) |
  • Interest-Based Ads