Antique Bookcases
Bookcases have long been viewed as a staple for any home, and an antique bookcase will add heaps of class to your living space. Usually decorated in woods that have darker veneers or gloss for that vintage aesthetic, they will complement all of your favorite books perfectly. Whether you want something tall and simple or a vintage bookcase with a design, we’ve picked out some of the best types of antique bookcases for you below.
Curved Antique Bookshelf
$959.99 $1304
Curved Antique Bookshelf
Birch Lane™
$959.99 $1304
Arriving fully assembled, this bookcase features curved detail that would suit a coastal farmhouse décor style. Measuring 76 inches tall, it is made from solid and manufactured wood and has 5 equally-sized shelves for all of your books.
Available in a rich cognac brown, the purposeful distressing of these bookshelves give them a well-loved look that will make any room appear warm and cozy.
Designer Advice:
The subtle scalloping at the top is reminiscent of historic libraries – create a similar vibe with mosaic rugs and metal lamps for that old-fashioned aesthetic.
Tall Antique Bookcase
$669.99 $949.99
Tall Antique Bookcase
Darby Home Co
$669.99 $949.99
Available in 8 different colors and finishes, this bookcase measures 72 inches tall and is crafted from solid and manufactured wood. With a weight capacity of 75lbs per shelf, it features a straightforward design.
Designer Advice:
Natural wood grain finishes will always look more antique than smooth finishes, but colors like gray or white are viewed as more contemporary. For a classy look, go for antique brown. The small imperfections in the wood grain will lend your purchase even more of a vintage vibe.
Corner Antique Bookcase
$309.99 $329.99
Corner Antique Bookcase
Red Barrel Studio®
$309.99 $329.99
Crafted from metal and wood, this bookcase features a single drawer and 2 shelves below. A matte black mission slat base adds a small modern touch to an otherwise fully traditional product.
Designer Advice:
If you’re short on space, a corner antique bookcase like this one is great for making the most of what you do have. The medium oak color will blend nicely with different shades of wood, with the exception being woods that are super light in color. This is because light wood tends to wash out darker shades.
Understated Vintage Bookcase
$199.99 $239.99
Understated Vintage Bookcase
Winston Porter
$199.99 $239.99
This understated bookcase looks as though it could be straight out of the 1950s. The 4 shelves can each hold up to 150lbs, and even better, it is foldable, meaning it would be great for shared apartments, college dorms, or small spaces.
Designer Advice:
Although it comes with 2 finish options – espresso and natural – we recommend opting for the dark espresso color to truly achieve a vintage vibe. This is because darker wood looks more expensive and we tend to associate it with luxury and glamour, as opposed to lighter wood which looks more contemporary.
Vintage Retro Bookshelves
$1089.99 $2136
Vintage Retro Bookshelves
17 Stories
$1089.99 $2136
Perfect For: Compact spaces
What We Like: See-through doors on lower shelves
What We Don’t Like: A little wobbly
Available in classic black and white finishes, this stunning bookcase features tons of storage. It includes five shelves, three of which are open-frame. Two are closed shelves enclosed behind swiveling see-through mesh doors. The top two shelves are adjustable, while the bottom two are fixed. It has a luxurious weathered finish and a sturdy wooden construction. The frame is only 14 inches deep and easily fits into small spaces.
Designer Advice:
If you want an industrial decor style for your interiors, this bookshelf is the perfect addition. The see-through lower shelves are great for keeping items out of the way but within sight. Put this antique bookcase in an unused corner of your living room or beside your reading chair, and decorate it with some accent lights.
What Users Say:
I love this bookcase so much, I ordered two! Heavy, sturdy construction and the dark wood looks very classy.
Antique Bookshelves with Storage
Antique Bookshelves with Storage
With smooth, clean lines and 2 doors at the bottom, this antique bookcase doubles up as a storage option, too. Arriving fully assembled, it is mostly made from solid wood and features 4 upper shelves.
Designer Advice:
We recommend this bookcase for a smaller home due to its multifunctional design – the distressed brown finish would look best in a room with wooden floors and cream or off-white accents for a cozy antique feeling. Additionally, you could place it in an entryway to impress guests and store important everyday items.
X Shape Design Antique Bookshelves
X Shape Design Antique Bookshelves
Alcott Hill®
These bookshelves feature 4 shelves, including one at the bottom that has a back board for stability, great for smaller books that tend to fall. Treated with powder painting, it will be easy to maintain.
Designer Advice:
While X-shape furniture is usually viewed as more modern, the rich brown walnut shade of this bookcase has a glossy antique look to it. Stylish and chic, it would look amazing in a room with high ceilings near a window so it can truly shine.
Floating Shelf Vintage Bookshelf
Floating Shelf Vintage Bookshelf
This vintage-look bookshelf stands out from the crowd. Featuring 7 floating shelves, it has a solid wood frame and wooden shelves. Whilst innovative, the design of this shelving means your bookcase won’t hold as many books, which could be an issue for some.
Designer Advice:
The nut-brown color of this bookcase would look stunning with warmer neutral shades such as beige and off-white for a calm Scandinavian look that also takes inspiration from the past. For a cohesive look, a cream rug would bring the look together.
Retro Vintage Bookcase with Cubbies
Retro Vintage Bookcase with Cubbies
This vintage bookcase screams retro – we can just imagine it in a 1960s home. Measuring only 31.5 inches wide, it would be an ideal choice for rooms with not as much wall space. Moreover, the cubby holes mean you can organize your literature collection properly.
Designer Advice:
The rugged material construction makes it plausible that this bookcase could be a genuine vintage piece. If you want to exaggerate this vibe, opt for decorative objects or a lampshade in groovy and abstract prints which possess that all-important 1960s and 1970s vintage aesthetic.
Antique Rustic Book Shelf
Antique Rustic Book Shelf
Hooker Furniture
Perfect For: Spacious rooms with high ceilings
What We Like: Lighting feature
This charming wooden bookshelf in mid-tone brown is an eye-catching piece of furniture with a lighting feature. It features a classic frame with multiple antique design elements, such as scrolls, rope twist molding, fleur-de-lis accents, and more. It has a spacious storage capacity with two closed shelves on the bottom and four open shelves on the top for your books, frames, and other collectibles. One of the shelves is glass with a wooden frame.
Designer Advice:
Add this 7.5-foot antique bookshelf to your office or study to give it a timeless appeal. The piece exudes a laid-back feel that is perfect for contemporary and traditional decor styles. The lighting feature is an excellent add-on that makes this bookshelf easy to use and place even in dark corners of your room.
What Users Say:
One of the most beautiful pieces of furniture I've ever seen. The finish, size, and scale of this thing is all just simply stunning. Love!
Lattice Antique Bookcase
Lattice Antique Bookcase
Red Barrel Studio®
Evoking 1920s glamor, this antique bookcase features intricate carving detailing at the sides. Made from hard-wearing mango wood, it has 2 open shelves that would look beautiful when filled with books, plants, or ornaments.
Also decorated with a deliberately distressed look, this bookcase is full of personality due to it being handcrafted.
Designer Advice:
The elegant and sophisticated carvings will add tons of character to your living space, but we think it would look best in a room with gray or white walls so the ashy-brown color can stand out.
Industrial Style Victorian Bookshelf
Industrial Style Victorian Bookshelf
If your décor style leans towards the minimalist, this bookshelf has an industrial look to it that is reminiscent of the Victorian era. It features 3 solid mango wood shelves, which contrast with iron legs that could be straight out of a Dickens novel.
Designer Advice:
The stripped-back look of this product means it would look good in a modern home as well as a more traditional one. Featuring a closed file drawer at the bottom, it would best suit rooms with dark wood furniture and more subtle colors rather than bold ones.
Buying Guide
Chloe is a highly-regarded expert in all things vintage and antique. She’s excited to share her vast knowledge with readers and clients wishing to infuse their homes with a mixture of old-time warmth and modern comfort. In addition to her design work, Chloe regularly volunteers at her local community center, teaching DIY projects to adults and kids.
Antique bookcases are perfect in most period interiors inspired from previous centuries (such as Edwardian, Victorian, or Colonial), especially when they include several sophisticated details and carvings.
On the contrary, antique bookcases with simpler designs can work in more modern and traditional interiors depending on their style and finish.
For example, an antique bookcase in a dark wood finish wouldn’t look out of place in a nautical décor, whereas a model with a distressed look could match a French country setting.
The best place to shop for antique bookcases is Foter as we include a wide range of models from both Amazon and Wayfair, two of the best online shopping platforms when it comes to furniture.
You can use Foter to start with a helpful, picture-based overview of different models, narrow down your search once you’ve figured out what type of antique bookcases you’re after, and have your most pressing questions answered immediately on the same page.
These are some telltale signs to look for in order to identify an antique bookcase:
- Check dovetail joints: if they’re perfectly shaped and symmetrical, that usually means that they were cut by a machine, indicating that this particular period-looking bookcase might not actually be antique (in fact, machines only started to be used to cut furniture in 1860)
- As well as by the joints, impeccable symmetry overall might mean the same
- Look for labels and stamps with manufacturing information
- Centuries ago, it wasn’t common to use precious wood in spots that you couldn’t really look at. Check the back of your bookcase and the inside of its drawers and cupboards: if you spot a different type of wood, that probably means that what you’re looking at is an authentic antique bookcase (yay!)
- Unlike authentic antique pieces, some models are now designed and manufactured to look worn out (for example, to match shabby chic decor); real antique bookcases will probably also have some proper signs of wear, such as by the drawer runners
