Space-saving bookcases: guide to choosing them for every space in the house

When we think of a bookcase, what usually comes to mind is a large, often unwieldy piece of furniture. In reality, there are plenty of versatile items of furniture out there that can be used as space-saving bookcases, ideal for organising books and other objects in smaller homes and flats where the optimisation of space is an absolute necessity.

Whether used on their own, in pairs or combined with other furniture, Santalucia Mobili’s small bookcases are a practical addition to any room in the house, from the living room to the bedroom, from the entrance to a children’s or teenager’s bedroom.

In this article we will be looking at:

• The advantages of a space-saving wall-mounted bookcase
• The main types of small wall-mounted bookcases
• How to use these solutions in the different spaces of the home
• What sizes to consider when choosing the most suitable bookcase
• How to combine multiple elements to create functional and decorative compositions
• Other practical tips for the tidy organisation of books and objects

The advantages of a space-saving wall-mounted bookcase

Wall-mounted bookcases are one of the best solutions when it comes to optimising space: unlike traditional floor-standing bookcases, they allow you to take advantage of often underused walls without occupying floor space. The floor remains free and therefore easier to clean from a practical point of view and less cluttered from an aesthetic perspective.

Wall-mounted bookcases are designed to store books without being invasive: in general they have a reduced depth of 18 to 23 cm, an ideal size also for narrow corridors or passageways where it is important not to impede people’s movement.

Space-saving bookcases also offer lots of flexibility in terms of where they can be positioned. They can be mounted on walls of any size, in niches, recesses and awkward spaces that a traditional bookcase would struggle to make full use of.

Finally, there is a visual aspect not to be underestimated: wall-mounted bookcases are easy on the eye and less invasive. Rather than “closing off” the environment like a floor-standing solution, they help create a perception of openness and airiness in the space.

Types of small wall-mounted bookcases

Not all space-saving bookcases are the same but, although they might differ in terms of their shape and size, the various solutions on the market all share the same basic characteristic: the ability to make the most of the available space.

Open units

Open units are the most common option and can be used on their own or in combination.

Light is a simple and minimalist 122.4 cm-long linear open unit with glass dividers that can be used to create vertical or horizontal configurations. As shown in the image, multiple carefully spaced units can be combined to create a composition that incorporates a home office area.

Alveare Appeso is a bookcase unit available in two sizes: 137.7 cm and 183.6 cm, featuring alternating compartments with and without backs. The possibility of using it both vertically and horizontally makes it ideal for passageways like entrances and corridors, which are often difficult to furnish.

Vertical elements

The ‘zigzag’ style design, tall metal frame (124.7 cm) and custom colour choices make Snake the perfect small bookcase for modern spaces. Books can be laid flat in the front part and stood up at the back, creating an original, mixed arrangement.

Modular compositions

It is possible to create a bookcase by combining individual elements on the basis of your own requirements and the amount of space available. This type of solution enables you to easily adapt to walls of different sizes, niches or irregular configurations.

The Akka element is available in three lengths – 61.2 cm, 122.4 cm and 183.6 cm – and in multiple finishes and colours, making it ideal for creating geometric compositions with a customised design and appearance.

Decorative and design elements

Then there are the more decorative elements. Aqua and Liquid were designed as elements to connect two wall units, but they can also be used on their own or in combination with other identical units to create a “Tetris effect” bookcase. The built-in lighting emphasises the geometric design, while the wide choice of matt lacquers and metallic finishes allows you to play around with the shapes and colours. 

With Viper, your books become part of a real decorative design. The S-shaped metal structure is 1 metre tall and features a straight back panel. It can be customised in all matt lacquered and metallic finishes.

Lamina is another element that can be used to compose a designer wall-mounted bookcase: the metal inserts contain the books and can be personalised in a wide range of colours.

Where to put a little space-saving bookcase: ideas for every room

In the living room

One of the main advantages of these solutions is their ability to adapt to different environments, including settings where the space seems limited. In the sitting room, a small designer bookcase like Viper can complete the wall above the TV unit or sideboard,or be used behind the sofa to transform an anonymous wall into an interesting focal point.

In the living area, a bespoke composition of Akka modules fills the wall behind the table without making it feel cluttered.

Even more underused areas of the living room can be transformed into functional spaces with Akka modules positioned at different heights, as shown in the photo below.

In entrances and corridors

Space-saving bookcases have a particularly strategic role in entrances and corridors. It is essential to furnish passageways like these in a way that creates a perception of airiness and does not impede people’s movement.

At the entrance, the Alveare Appeso bookcase is accompanied by a wood panel with coat hooks to create a functional area that occupies a limited portion of the wall.

When corridors are long and narrow, meanwhile, it may be interesting to work horizontally. By positioning Alveare Appeso over a low sideboard you can create a balanced composition that accompanies the development of the wall.

Another aspect to consider is the presence of niches and recesses, often difficult to elevate with standard compositions. In these cases, units like Open are particularly effective because they can be fitted to measure in the available space and integrated with other furnishings.

In the bedroom

In the bedroom, all kinds of small wall-mounted bookcases can be positioned above the bed, next to the bedside cabinet or above a drawer unit to add storage space and also decorate the walls.

Another space-saving solution is bookcase modules built into the wardrobe, available with glass or wooden shelves and integrated LED lighting.

In the children’s bedroom and study

In both children’s bedrooms and work spaces, it’s important to organise books, materials and objects in the most functional way possible. Modular systems are preferable in both types of room as they allow you to adapt the bookcase over time – from simple solution to organised system, depending on your changing needs and activities.

In the children’s room, coloured Half open units can be positioned above the desk to keep school books within arm’s reach.

On the wall reserved for games or books, meanwhile, you can create freer and more creative compositions with Akka modules, constructing a dynamic little bookcase that can be made even more vibrant by playing around with colours and finishes.

For the home office area, this approach is more structured but just as flexible. For example, positioning Light elements above or alongside the desk or writing table enables you to organise your books, folders and work materials in a practical and easily accessible way.

For those that want a designer solution, Lamina elements with their metal compartments create a cleaner and more contemporary vibe: as well as guaranteeing storage, they also add character to the workspace.

How to choose the right size

When you design a space-saving bookcase, the dimensions have a key role to play.
The depth, for example, must be sufficient to contain the books without being unwieldy: in general, 15 to 20 cm is ideal for storing most sizes. Santalucia Mobili’s wall-mounted solutions fall perfectly within this range, with measurements that go from the 18.5 cm of Snake and Viper to the 22.6 cm of Aqua and Liquid, sufficient to accommodate any standard size.

The width, meanwhile, depends on the amount of space available and the result you want to achieve. This is where the advantage of modular systems comes into play: the possibility of combining multiple elements allows you to carefully adapt the bookcase to the wall, both in compact and more extensive compositions.

Height is another key aspect. Positioning the modules between 140 and 160 cm from the floor means they can be easily reached without any help and, at the same time, enables you to balance their proportions with the wall and the other furnishings.

Finally, it is absolutely essential to ensure that bookcases are correctly mounted. Dowels must be chosen according to the type of wall, particularly in the case of plasterboard, to ensure stability and safety over time.

Creating compositions: how to combine multiple modules

One of the most interesting aspects of space-saving bookcases is the possibility of creating custom compositions.

Linear configurations, with aligned modules, are perfect for those looking for a neat and minimalist effect. Conversely, staggered compositions add movement and make the wall more dynamic.

You can also combine different types, for example open modules, closed modules and backlit solutions, to create a more varied and structured look.

Another design element is colour: the wide range of available finishes and colour options allows you to create contrasts or to maintain a uniform palette, depending on the style you want to achieve.

One interesting approach is to begin with a handful of modules and enrich the composition over time, according to your changing needs.

Practical tips for organising a space-saving bookcase

Once you have settled on the structure, how you organise items also contributes to the final result. Alternating vertical and horizontal books helps to create visual rhythm; leaving a few empty spaces avoids an overly packed effect.

Alongside books, it’s good practice to add in a few little decorative items, like plants, candles or picture frames, to make the composition more personal. Organising by size and colour can also have an impact, especially in more aesthetically refined settings. Finally, in backlit modules it is advisable to place the elements you want to highlight in the foreground and use the light to create depth and atmosphere.

Santalucia Mobili space-saving bookcases

Space-saving bookcases are an effective design solution if you want to organise books and possessions without creating visual clutter in your rooms. As we have seen, wall-mounted versions enable you to free up the floor, take advantage of the walls and easily adapt to more complex spaces like corridors, entrances or niches.

The different solutions available (open modules, vertical elements, modular compositions or more decorative solutions) can be used to create a flexible system that meets different needs in every space of the house. The option of choosing the sizes, finishes and configurations also allows you to construct custom bookcases that can evolve with your everyday needs.

Discover all the wall-mounted bookcases and find your nearest retailer to begin designing functional yet decorative walls that enhance every room in your home.