Bookman Is On The Case

Remember that Seinfeld episode where Jerry’s being harassed by uber-diligent library cop, Lieutenant Bookman over an overdue book? Well, Bookman’s not only still ON the case, he IS the case: this anthropomorphic shelving unit can turn any thin, single and neat joy-boy into the ideal well-read man.

Coast To Coast Bookcase

When you’re a famous artist like Ron Arad, you can get away with calling an America-shaped bookcase anything you want. Even, say, “Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends”. It doesn’t have to make sense (though it’s likely to make Arad dollars), it just has to look good. And so it does.

Yin Yang Bookcase

As solid and strong as the above Yin Yang Bookcase may look, in truth it’s made of cardboard – and you can make one too! Eric Guiomar and the gang at Instructables provides complete plans that will allow anyone to add a little balance to their home environment while impressing the hell out of their friends in the process.

Scaffold Bookcase

These modular scaffold bookcases by Maria Yasko can be used to store much more than books. Made from Corian, a tough but light synthetic material often used to make countertops, Yasko’s pieces come in a variety of appealing colors. How they’re connected depends on the mood of the owner with the only rule being “the more, the merrier”.

The Platzhalter Bookcase

The Platzhalter bookshelf has a split personality, which happens to be a good thing. Possibly inspired by that guy everyone knows whose bookcases are so full tomes can be neither stored nor withdrawn, the Platzhalter bookshelf splits down the middle providing about 30% more storage space. Of course, “that guy” will just overstuff it again, but at least someone’s making an effort.

Mydna Bookcase

If the Mydna Bookcase from Mexican designer Joel Escalona looks familiar, it also sounds familiar: as in “My DNA”. Available in two versions – one static and the other rotating on its pedestal, the Mydna Bookcase puts a new twist on storing one’s books.

Expandable Bookcase

Book storage turning you into a nervous wreck? Reiner De Jong has a solution: REK, an expandable bookcase that expands to accommodate your book collection. Composed of 5 sliding sections that fit together not unlike a jigsaw puzzle, REK will enhance any decor scheme with its tough laminate finish (gloss white outside, satin grey within).

Did I assemble my new bookshelves correctly?

Does this look right to you? Did I assemble my new bookshelves correctly? I kid, I kid. These crazy creations are products of the twisted minds at Studio Proxy.

The Prince of Siam is crafted from plywood, oil, and semi-transparent white varnish. As much as it looks like one, it is not an Ikea hack.

This one, however, is.

Low Waist — the brainchild of Roman LindeBaum and Rüdiger Otte — speaks to “functional and aesthetic stereotypes of modern mass production.” Or so I’m told.

I do believe that as fun as these pieces would be to have around the house, they would begin to drive me seriously crazy once I got sick of the wasted bits of space.

Bed or Bookcase?

Bed Bookcase: While not everyone may find the results attractive the concept behind this convertible bed-and-bookcase design is an admiral start anyway. As a space-saving device this would be a great way to keep an extra bed around and then let it blend into the background, wrapped around bookshelves, when not in use.

Stairs Bookcase

Stairs Bookshelves: What started as a space-saving strategy turned into a centerpiece of this interior redesign. The experience: complete book-overload as the London owners make their way to the loft bedroom above the main floor of their condo. Shot from virtually any perspective the result is remarkably attractive and a good reminder that a lack of space can be a great design opportunity.