A traditional bookshelf is a piece of furniture that typically stands freely on the floor. It is made up of several horizontal shelves of varying sizes that can hold books of various sizes. The shelves are mostly made of natural wood or MDF.
The importance of traditional Bookshelf in your Home
- Provides organization and storage for your belongings– Do you have a lot of books scattered about and want a convenient way to organize them? Yes, a traditional bookshelf will provide storage space for you to display or organize your books, magazines, or other items. It will also help you keep your space tidy and well-organized.
- Aesthetic Appeal- Do you want to add a personal touch to your room while also improving its aesthetic appeal? Traditional bookshelves are ideal for decorating your home with colorful decorations like vases, pictures, favorite books, and other objects. You can also display all of your personal items, such as trophies, family heirlooms, and other treasured possessions.
- Bookshelf promotes personal growth and learning- Having a bookshelf in our room promotes personal growth by making it easier to access your favorite books on the shelf when bored. You can purchase and organize all of your educational materials, including history books, literature, and science. Having this book on your traditional bookshelf will inspire you to learn and grow.
- Conversation starter– Do you know that having a colorful bookshelf full of books may be an excellent way to start a conversation with visitors? Absolutely, books on your bookshelf can lead to conversions when you meet others who share similar interests and experiences.
Characteristics of traditional bookshelves
- Design: Traditional bookshelf typically comes with a simple design with straight lines and basic shapes. Several of them usually have a rectangular or square shape and mostly sit on the floor. Depending on th size, most have several horizontal shelves that are ideal for storing books.
- Size: Most traditional bookshelves are generally large in size, though there are modern traditional bookshelves that have a small size. The size depends on the number of shelves the bookshelf has. In addition, because traditional bookcases are bulky they mostly sit on the floor, however, there are other freestanding bookshelves that can be mounted on the wall.
- Color: You will find that most traditional bookshelves are painted with natural colors such as brown, white, black, and black. However, there are other traditional bookcases that you will find with colors such as red, grey, etc.
- Storage: Most traditional shelves are designed and feature shelves that are used to store or display items such as books, flowers, small plants, and other items. Also, there are other bookshelves that come with additional storage space, such as cabinets.
- Accessibility: Do you enjoy reading your favorite book? If this describes you, you know how good it feels to have easy access to all of your books. This is what a traditional bookcase adds to your home. You can access and browse all your book collections quickly and without any hassle.
- Durability: Most traditional bookshelves are made of heavy, sturdy materials that last for decades and can even support heavy items like books. This material includes bamboo, rattan, metal, and other materials.
Materials used in traditional bookshelves
Traditional bookcases or bookshelves are made of various materials. Some are made of wood, metal, glass, MDF, and metal. Each of these materials will be detailed below to assist you in choosing which bookshelf to buy.
- Wood- Wood is a popular material for most bookcases, including traditional bookcases. Its popularity stems from the fact that wood adds a natural touch to your home while still being inexpensive. In addition, most bookcases are made of oak, mahogany, cherry, or maple. It is up to you to determine what kind of material you want for your bookcase.
- Metal: Another material used for industrial-style homes is metal. Metal is known for its durability and strength. It is also a great choice if you are looking for a bookshelf that needs to hold a lot of books or items. Steel or iron here is commonly used to build the traditional bookcase.
- Glass: Traditional unit commonly features tempered glass. It is mostly used because it is stronger and also adds a modern style to your home. In addition, tempered bookshelves are often used in table shelves, fireplaces, and other places that need a stronger bookshelf.
- MDF or particle board: If cheap is your deciding factor when buying a bookshelf, then consider a traditional shelf unit made of MDF or particle board. These types of traditional shelves are not that durable compared with metal and wood.
- Bamboo or rattan: Bamboo or rattan have recently become the most popular materials for bookshelves. This is because the material is both eco-friendly and long-lasting. And also, the materials have an organic and natural feel that will complement your bookshelf.
Traditional bookshelf styles to choose from:
1. Standard Bookcase: This is one of the most commonly known types of traditional units. It comes in a rectangular shape with horizontal shelves, and it is perfect for organizing books, flowers, or other belongings.
2. Barrister Bookcase: This is a type of bookcase that comes with glass doors that slides upwards into the case. The glass door is specifically to protect the books. Also, a barrister bookcase can come up with several shelves unit that is stacked together to form a complete cabinet.
3. Leaning Bookcase: This is a type of bookcase that has a simple design like that of a ladder and mostly leans against the wall for support.
4. Corner Bookcase: Traditional bookcase is a type of shelf unit that perfect design to fit in a corner of your room. It is ideal if you have a small space and want to maximize it.
5. Ladder Bookcase: This is a type of traditional bookcase that has exactly the design of a ladder. The shelves are designed to decrease from the top to the bottom or vise versa gradually.
6. Cube Bookcase: This type of bookcase comes with several cube-shaped compartments that you can easily be arranged in a way to fit your needs.
7. Revolving Bookcase: This is a type of circular bookcase that has shelves that rotate around the center of the axis. It is designed in this way to make it easier for you to access the books in a convenient and efficient way.
Why do you need a Traditional Bookcase?
Easy to organize your stuff: One thing you will realize with traditional bookcases is that they are simple yet effective for organize or displaying your books, magazines, or other items. They also help organize your items in a designated shelve that allows you easy access.
Aesthetics: Traditional bookshelf can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your room. This is because they come with a variety of styles that are designed to specifically match with the decor of your home.
Durability: Most traditional shelving units that is made from metal, and wood glass are durable and last for a long.
Disadvantages of Traditional Bookcase
Take much space: This types of bookshelves are typically for a small room or area. They take up much floor space which can be a problem if place in a small room.
Heavy: If you are looking for a lightweight bookcase consider a modern bookcase. Traditional shelves units are heavy to lift and move.
Costly: Not all traditional shelves unit are expensive, though those that are made with high-quality materials such as metal, wood, or glass might be expensive.
Factors to consider when choosing a traditional Bookcase
Size: This is the first consideration. You should first measure the space of where to place the bookshelf to know whether you need to buy a small bookcase or a tall one. You can measure the height of the space and the width and then compare it with the manufacture sizes.
Material: A variety of materials are used to build traditional bookcases. You should consider the material that will complement your decor, and also material that is sturdy and durable.
The Style: Traditional bookcases can come in a variety of styles, from simple, to classic, and also sophisticated. For this one, you should consider a bookshelf that matches your home decor.
Price: Traditional bookcases are priced differently depending on the style and design. You should look into a budget-friendly bookcase. However, keep in mind that a high-quality bookcase that will last a long time may be a little more expensive.
Quality: Consider a traditional bookshelf that is well-made with high-quality materials and sturdy enough to hold heavy items.
Tips on how to care for a traditional bookshelf
- Regularly dust your bookshelf– One of the first things you should know about dust is that it can damage books. You need to use a clean, dry cloth to clean or dust off the bookshelf.
- Avoid direct sunlight- Direct sunlight damages the wood and causes the color to fade. Place your bookshelf away from direct sunlight, or cover it with curtains or blinds.
- Store books or items properly– When arranging the books on your bookshelf, try to stack them horizontally or sometimes vertically. Organizing in this manner will create more space to store more books on your bookshelf.
- Be careful when moving the bookshelf: Traditional bookshelves are heavy so be mindful when moving them. When moving the bookshelf make sure you lift it from the bottom and avoid dragging it.
How to repair a traditional bookshelf
Repairing your DIY bookshelf is easier, follow the following steps when repairing the broken bookcase or bookshelf:
- Assess the damage: Examine all the corners of your bookshelf and identify the area that needs repair. Common issues that need repair, you may find with your bookshelf includes loose or broken shelves, cracks in the wood or lose joints.
- Gather your tools: Here you need tools such as a hammer, screws, wood glue, a pencil, sandpaper, and a saw or drill.
- Remove the damaged part: If it is the shelf that is loose or broken carefully unscrew it from the main shelf. On the other hand, if in any case there are loose joints, gently pry them apart.
- Repair the damaged part: If you have the glue already apply it to the broken part and wait for a few minutes to dry. Also if you are reattaching the shelf, use a drill and drill pilot holes and use screws to secure it back in place.
- Sand and refinish: Once you have completed the repair sand it using sandpaper to remove rough areas or splinters.
- Finally, reassemble the bookshelf and carefully examine all the areas that are secure.
To summarise, a bookshelf is a piece of furniture that is commonly used in homes to arrange books, magazines, and other items. As a result, there are many different kinds and designs of traditional bookcases to pick from. Standard, barrister, leaning, corner, ladder cube, ladder, revolving, and many more are examples. In addition, when settling on the perfect bookshelf for your home, consider factors such as price, material, design, style, and quality.