This content was originally published on OldHouseOnline.com and has been republished here as part of a merger between our two businesses. All copy is presented here as it originally appeared there.
Home is where you belong! It’s important to feel that way as the surroundings can become dull at times. Interior decoration is always so exciting as it gives you more control over the space you live in. What better way to beautify these spaces than with your invaluable book collections? So gear up as we bring for you the best leaning bookshelves.
Shelves are so much more than mere pieces of furniture. The appalling colors and unique designs can help put new life into your rooms. They also remind you to take some time out from your hectic routine; just grab a book and travel into a whole new world! We know there are a lot of options being provided by various designers and stores, and thus, the selection process can become a little exhausting. So just sit back as we handpick and review the best leaning bookshelves that will charm up your living spaces.
Best Leaning Bookshelves Reviewed in Detail
Home Leaning Bookshelf
– Best Overall
Don’t you love wooden designs? The pure rustic color just fits into any decor and theme. It not only brings a fresher look to your room, but also can hold all kinds of books, frames, small plants, and pottery while managing to maintain its own place in the space. To add more charm to it, the 5 tiers allow you to spread your books and frames evenly across and give it a more wholesome look.
It is also very convenient to manage. The shelves are 15 inches wide and 8 inches apart. The lightweight oak allows for an easier setup process, and you can easily move the ladder across different rooms. Overall, it is an ideal pick for smaller apartments.
Pros
- The wooden oak is highly durable and can withstand heavyweight books
- It’s very easy to clean and maintain
- One of the cheaper options
Cons
- Slightly small for wider spaces
VASAGLE Leaning Bookshelf
– Runner Up
Let’s jump to a slightly more industrial design. This leaning bookshelf comes with manufactured wood planks supported by iron legs. It not only leans against the wall but the screws on top of it make for a more steady grip. The ladder consists of 4 tiers that are 13 inches apart. Each shelf is 23 inches wide, making for an ideal space to hold onto your books, frames, and pots.
Once again, the rustic touch helps it fit basically any interior theme, while the sturdy design allows the shelves to safely hold up to 88 pounds of weight. The anti-tip kit that comes with your package will help provide further stability to the ladder.
Pros
- The instruction manual makes these shelves easy to assemble
- This brand is well-reputed for providing excellent customer service
- Can fit perfectly into your bathrooms as well
Cons
- Slightly heavier to carry around
Kiera Grace Leaning Bookshelf
– Honorable Mention
We all love the color black, and some of us are bold enough to have dark-themed rooms. Well, if you’re one of those people, then this is just the right choice for you. This 5-tier leaning bookshelf not only provides adequate room to display your books and craft materials, but its unique design accommodating deeper shelves at the bottom accounts for an appalling look altogether.
The shelves are made of medium-density fiberboard supported by a wooden frame. This allows for a more steady and reliable grip on the floor. A 5-foot height also means you’re in for a noticeable display.
Pros
- The wooden legs grip well on floors and carpets alike
- The package comes with instructions and hardware to make the assembling process simpler
- Gives the room a more contemporary look
Cons
- Each shelf holds up to only 10 pounds of weight, which is slightly lesser
Sauder Leaning Bookshelf
– Also Consider
Our final pick is another beautifully designed product. This leaning bookshelf comes with a heavy-duty wooden frame and 5 tiers of industrially manufactured wooden shelves. Each shelf is more than 21 inches wide, and the lower ones are deeper than those above.
The backside of this shelf is also fully finished and leans perfectly against the wall. Don’t worry about the theme, as you can choose from 3 exotic colors to suit your preferences. Measuring 6 feet in height, this is just the piece of furniture that will charm up your living room.
Pros
- The assembling process is very simple, and you can call the brand for assistance in this regard
- A very wide space allows for more items to be displayed
- It can withstand heavier objects such as pots, plants, and other collectibles
Cons
- Not ideal for smaller rooms
Buying Guide for the Best Leaning Bookshelves
Furniture is an essential part of any room’s design. It can certainly uplift the overall atmosphere of your surroundings. Bookshelves are very important in this regard as well. While you might think these leaning equipment lie toward the corner walls, they certainly attract a lot of attention.
You have to be very specific when choosing a bookshelf that complements your room. A good product will make your life easier, but if you buy one that does not suit the room’s theme, look, and size, it can certainly damage the entire look. To make sure you don’t regret your decision later, we’ve listed down a list of features you should be looking out for.
Things To Look Out For
Room size
This is one of the more important factors people tend to ignore. Who doesn’t like a large bookshelf that can hold your amazing collection alongside some beautiful frames and other craftwork? You still have to be aware of the room you’re going to fit the shelf in. Awkwardly large size would look too focused upon in a small room. It might even cause inconvenience.
Similarly, a smaller shelf can be ignored in bigger living rooms or home offices. You’d rather want a mid-sized product that can display your belongings and become a focused aspect of your serene space.
Back style
We’re getting to this first as it truly dictates the overall look of your wall. Some people prefer a bookshelf with a closed, unfinished back. It makes the leaning furniture look whole. Others prefer an open-back case that gives a more filling look when decorated. It also shows part of your wallpaper and blends with it when empty.
Either style goes well. You should just know your preference. We always recommend open-back cases as they look more decorative and widely highlight your items on display.
Color and design
You can look for tens of features, and if the overall color isn’t appealing enough or the design doesn’t complement the surrounding theme, it all goes to waste. Designers are coming up with the most appealing colors for leaning bookshelves now. You can choose from a wide range of options, including dark black, mystic white, or even a rustic wooden fade.
You might prefer a plain design, or you can decide to spark it up by going for elegantly textured surfaces. Similarly, the frame design can vary according to your preference. This is all up to you, run your imagination and buy a shelf that goes best with your place.
Quality of materials used
No one likes fragile furniture. While the best bookshelves are aesthetically appealing, they’re also quite sturdy and are made using the highest quality raw materials. You’ll have to look out for the quality of both the shelves and the frame. We generally recommend going for wooden shelves. You can always opt for industrially manufactured boards if the natural material does not suit you.
The frame could be made using iron, steel, or wood. It just has to be durable enough to hold onto the shelves and all items displayed on it. The more steady its grip is on the surface, the better it will lean. Opt for frames with adjustable legs to suit both hardwood and carpet floorings.
Assembling process
Assembling a bookshelf can be a very tiring process. Sometimes the shelves don’t fit, or the frame doesn’t stand, or there’s a missing piece in the parcel. You do not want to get caught up in that hassle. Thus, ensure that the company you’re buying the shelf from provides an instruction manual alongside a kit necessary to bring the product in one piece.
Our picks also come with an anti-tip kit to make the process safer. You do not want any accidents happening around your family!
You should generally look out for the compactness of a bookshelf. Even if you have a smaller room, you can go for deeper shelves that can hold more items and collectibles!
Make Your Overall Experience Better
Customer care is essential to make any product worthwhile. You deserve the very best return for your money. Therefore, go for more reliable brands and stores. They go a step ahead in ensuring you get the best quality of service and are a single phone call away for any help or complaint.
This not only means you’d be well-guided while assembling your bookshelf but can also come up with adequate solutions if not satisfied with the product.
We Look Out for You
Some bookshelves can be very costly and high-maintenance. You can find a large variety of options on the market ranging from minimal prices to extraordinary ones. We’ve made sure to pick out the very best-leaning bookshelves available at different price levels. Our picks range from merely 30 dollars to over 100 dollars. Your aim should be to get the best value for whatever amount of money you’re spending.
Leaning Bookshelf FAQ
Q: How do you dress a bookshelf?
A: A leaning bookshelf is designed specifically to hold more weight at the bottom. This means you should place the heavier hardcovers on lower shelves, and the lighter ones can be placed on top alongside small frames and decorative craft materials.
Q: Are ladder shelves stable?
A: The stability varies from product to product. Good quality leaning bookshelves are designed to maintain a 90-degree steep and hold firm to the base. They also come with safety kits such as screws on top and support on the bottom legs to further steady the grip.
Q: How much weight can leaning shelves hold?
A: This will once again vary from product to product. Some wooden shelves are slightly fragile and can withstand less than 10 pounds of weight. Others are sturdier and, hence, will be able to hold onto 30-35 pounds of weight.
Q: What wood is best for making shelves?
A: Wooden shelves are usually made using oak, pine, mahogany, and koa. All these materials are highly durable in their purest forms. However, the first two are more suitable for smaller shelves, while the latter two work better when used for larger ones.
Q: Do all bookshelves come with drawers?
A: No, this is an additional feature that you can find on certain shelves. Drawers help enhance the space available for your items. You can find a shelf with a drawer in our list above.
