Home FAQ: What is the Bookcase that Looks like a Stack of Books?

Every time I post a photo of my living room on Instagram, I receive at least a few questions regarding one specific piece: What is that bookcase that looks like a stack of books? Are you concerned it’s going to fall over? Can you actually get books out of it?

Those questions inspired me to start a new blog series tackling the questions that pop up again and again: the Home FAQs.

Let’s Talk About Frequently Asked Home Questions

Some of you may know that I worked in interior design for several years after I graduated college. I’ve loved drawing floor plans, flipping through fabric samples, and combing vintage shops for as long as I can remember. That is to say decorating comes easily to me. An empty room is a blank canvas that I can’t wait to tackle.

But, I realize that not everyone sees it that way and I imagine that’s why home questions are the #1 message I receive on Instagram. Not everyone loves the hunt of looking for the perfect item and, if I can give you some decorating inspiration or choose the exact right piece for your home, I’m happy to help!

Today, I’m tackling the bookcase that looks like a stack of books, but, in future posts, I’ll also cover bedding questions, lighting questions, where to look for rugs, and more. 

SPLURGE BOOKCASE / SAVE BOOKCASE 

What is the Bookcase That Looks Like a Stack of Books?

Okay, let’s get into it. The bookcase next to our sofa in the living room was definitely a splurge in our home. I was dealing with a space that needed to serve as a place to store books, but I also didn’t have a whole lot of room to work with. My clearance on the floor was 14″ deep. Try finding a bookcase to fit those dimensions and hold roughly 80 books.

Enter the Story bookcase. A classic mid-century design, this bookcase has a sturdy base and spine up the back with thin shelves every 6 inches or so. The spine hides behind the books entirely, while the shelves are so thin that they disappear between the books. It was exactly the measurements I needed, while also coming in at a formidably tall 79″. I wanted a piece to make an impact while not distracting from our already bold design and this fit the bill. I included two close-ups in this post so you can really get a feel for how minimal the shelves are in this design.

Everyone asks if I’m afraid it might fall over and the answer is absolutely not. It is super solid — this bookcase isn’t going anywhere.

For the tall version, it’s about $345. So, yes, it’s a splurge for a bookcase that you’re buying because you can’t actually see it, but it’s one of my favorite pieces in our home.

A Budget-Friendly Version of the Story Bookcase

Of course, there’s almost always a way to get a more budget-friendly version of iconic home designs. We could debate the ethics of buying copycats, but, I’m not going to get into that today.

If you have a bit more room for a 16″ base and are willing to buy a slightly shorter bookcase, you can find a dupe on Amazon for about half the price. It looks like it may be a bit clunkier, but the reviews are good and, if you’re on a tight budget for decorating, it may be worth it. If you end up picking this one up, let me know!