10 Living Room Built-In Bookshelf Ideas That Will Instantly Add Character Your Space

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our link, at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure here.

Keep scrolling to read more about living room built-in bookshelf ideas.

There’s just something about having built-in bookshelves in your living room that instantly makes your space feel cozy and full of character. Whether you’re filling them with your personal book collection, art, decorative objects or all of the above, there is no one, right way to decorate them.

However, it always help to be inspired by what other people have done in their space. We’ve gathered 10 living room built-in bookshelf ideas that will motivate you to create a similar look in your space.

10 Living Room Built-In Bookshelf Ideas

1. Traditional Floor-to-Ceiling Bookshelves

How stunning are these traditional floor-to-ceiling bookshelves? Not only do they make the living room more custom designed, but they add character and a major feature to the space.

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves are great to add to a smaller living room space on either side of a fireplace, because they draw your eye to a focal point in the room. Plus, the taller bookshelves give the illusion that your living room ceilings are taller.

living room built-in bookshelf ideas — **Pinterest**

2. Old-English Inspired Navy Built-In Bookshelves

I love the idea of mixing old-English inspired details with more masculine touches. If you’re looking for a moody, cozy look for your built-in bookshelves, this deep blue color and mixed with decorative trim and brass elements will create a beautiful, aesthetic space.

3. Arched Bookshelves with Wallpaper Detail

I am obsessed with these arched bookshelves. The neutral wallpaper detail makes them pop and adds a unique feature to the space.

If you’re looking for a living room bookshelf ideas that leans more on the modern side, but still has character and traditional elements, then this would be a perfect design to recreate.

4. Clean & Colorful Built-In Bookshelves

Looking for a clean, modern built-in bookshelf idea to recreate in your living room? I love how fun and simple this idea is. You still get the bright, airy feel from the white paint color and neutral furniture, but the bold pops of color from the books and decor give this room vibrant personality.

5. Boho Eclectic Open Shelving

Built-in bookshelves don’t have to be extravagant structures. Lean into an eclectic boho design style by adding built-in open shelving on top and closed cabinet shelving on bottom. Style the book shelves with your personal book collection and other unique decorative objects.

6. Black Metal Cased Built-In Bookshelves

If you’re looking for a way to add contrast to your bright, white living room, black metal built-in bookshelves will add a bold, feature on either side of the fireplace.

Layering self area furniture, patterned area rugs and textured furniture to the space will help blend the stark contrast of the walls and the bookshelves beautifully.

7. Cozy Wrap Around Bookshelves

This may be my favorite built-in bookshelf idea. The way the bookshelves wrap around every Ince of free wall space, fills this room with cozy vibe. This custom look will instantly make your living room stand out and be the place everyone wants to hang out in.

8. Light Blue Bookshelves with Colorful Book Display

Ditch the neutral white and beige colors for more fun, vibrant hues—like this light blue color.

I can’t get over how much the way this light blue bookshelves brightens the space and fills it with personality. The vast display of colorful books that fill the shelves have a way of complimenting the color, rather than taking away from it.

9. Two-Toned Painted Bookshelves

There are no rules when it comes to designing a space that reflects you and your personal style. That’s why I love how these two-toned painted bookshelves redefine simple design and take full advantage of a maximalist approach.

Whether you’re pairing a mauve and deep purple (like the photo below) or a light pink and a deep magenta, there is an endless amount of color combinations you can choose from.

10. Modern Light Wood Built-In Bookshelves

There’s just something so sophisticated and stunning about a modern, light wood bookshelf, and this one is no different. It instantly adds depth and warmth to this living room.

Plus, the continuation of the light wind behind the TV to the bookshelf on the other side help to seamlessly blend this design style and add more character to the space.

10 Living Room Built-In Bookshelf Ideas That Will Instantly Add Character Your Space