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12 Narrow Bookcases That Will Fit Your Most Awkward Nooks

Narrow Bookcases
Courtesy of Amber Interiors

Truth: It can be challenging to tackle storage in a tiny space. No matter how much you try to declutter or re-organize, it can feel like every cupboard and closet is bursting at the seams, until we learned a super practical piece of advice from a professional organizer: Utilize your vertical space.

Have you opted for furniture that, while beautiful and stylish, failed on the storage front? Are you guilty of choosing low-slung pieces with skinny legs and few drawers (if any at all)? If this sounds like you, opting for décor that organizes your space from the ground up will change your entire storage strategy.

There is probably a ton of unused space in your home. Look up to find it.

Take the narrow bookcase, for example. The perfect narrow bookcase can fit in the last remaining nook in your apartment that isn't already inhabited by a piece of furniture. The result? Books will no longer be haphazardly piled up on every surface, you'll have space for various decorative items and plants, and you can even use a few baskets to hide miscellaneous items that previously didn't have a proper home. Think you too could benefit from an additional bookcase in your small space? Here are the best narrow bookcases to purchase for a stylish storage solution. 

01 of 12

Sleek and Versatile

Zane Narrow Bookshelf by West Elm
West Elm Zane Narrow Bookshelf $299.00
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This sleek tower bookcase from West Elm proves that the best things come in small packages. Six shelves offer versatile surface area to hold and display everything from books to your latest plant baby to baskets and barware.

02 of 12

Floating Sophistication

Story Bookcase by Design Within Reach
Design Within Reach Story Bookcase $295.00
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Who even needs the side walls on a bookcase? This one, designed by Afteroom exclusively for Design Within Reach, turns into a book totem. In Afteroom's signature, less-is-more style, one particularly clever feature of this storage solution is the ability to maneuver the shelves to face forward or to the side. Plus, organizing books and magazines horizontally means more room for you, and a streamlined look for your texts. Its all-metal construction and sturdy base offer strength and stability.

03 of 12

Modern Etagere Meets Industrial Vibes

Stella narrow etagere
Crosley Furniture Aimee Narrow Etagere $300.00
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The perforated brass on this Ashley Furniture bookcase gives it a glam yet industrial flair. Its shelves are made of polished stainless steel and finished in subtle yet stylish champagne gold. Choose to space the shelves evenly, or use the kidney-shaped keyholes to customize the bookcase to your needs.

04 of 12

Slim and Stylish

Totem Bookcase by Blu Dot in white
Blu Dot Totem Bookcase $499.00
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For ultra narrow spaces, this Blu Dot bookcase is a life-saver. Plus, it has style in spades. According to the Blu Dot website, "compared to this slim tower, ordinary bookcases are as dull as the Dewey Decimal System." Use this deceptively spacious bookcase in white or black powder-coated steel to showcase large-format art and photography books.

05 of 12

Modern Minimalism

Stairway Wall Mounted bookcase by CB2
CB2 Stairway Wall Mounted Bookcase $399.00
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The ultimate vertical bookcase for the minimalist—this one lets your objects shine while virtually blending into the background. These seven shelves top out at 8 feet, and the bookcase is made of engineered wood with high-gloss lacquer, and mounts to the wall.

06 of 12

Storage and Style

Suspend II Tall Bar Cabinet by CB2
CB2 Suspend II Tall Bar Cabinet $999.00
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Part-bookcase and part-bar, this sleek walnut and marble bookcase will give your space an elegant flair. We love the contrast between the white Carrara-style marble of the open shelf and the abstract chevron pattern throughout the walnut frame. This pretty number was designed by Ceci Thompson exclusively for CB2.

07 of 12

Sturdy Yet Elegant

Hitch Bookcase by Blu Dot
Blu Dot Hitch Bookcase $599.00
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This narrow bookcase from Blu Dot is wall hung and gives your space an elegant minimal look. The Hitch bookcase comes in multiple finish options, including Black, Smoke, and Walnut, and is part of Blu Dot's Hitch shelving system.

08 of 12

Playfully Perforated

On the Grid Graphite 4-Cube Bookcase
Crate and Barrel On the Grid Graphite 4-Cube Bookcase $199.00
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We couldn't think of a more elegant bookcase to add to your apartment than this perforated metal one from Crate and Barrel. The five shelves are spacious enough to display everything from books to picture frames and baskets. A touch of brass on the perforated panels elevates the look.

09 of 12

Simple and Spacious

Wire mesh standing shelving rack
West Elm Wire Mesh Standing Shelving Rack $200.00
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This West Elm shelving rack is perfect for tight spaces with little to no storage. The six open wire shelves would work well in the bathroom too. Pick up multiples to create an entire shelving system.

10 of 12

Tasteful Texture

Balboa Shelf by Serena & Lily
Serena & Lily Balboa Shelf $1,698.00
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Give your space a beachy air with this Balboa bookcase from Serena & Lily. Rattan shelves look polished when wrapped in a solid hardwood frame. The finishing touch? Brass end caps on this bookcase's feet.

11 of 12

White Hot Tower

Carlson II White Tower by CB2
CB2 Carlson II White Tower $229.00
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Tuck this narrow bookcase in a tight corner and solve all your storage woes. The three open and two closed-back cubbies nostalgically remind us of our high school lockers with a modern twist. Style this bookcase with your favorite books in alternating horizontal and vertical positions for visual interest.

12 of 12

Industrial Chic

Ladder Bookshelf by West Elm
West Elm Ladder Bookshelf $249.00
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Lean this West Elm bookcase against your wall and arrange your favorite books and accessories. It has a bit of a DIY vibe, which lends the bookcase an instantly lived-in feel. Plus, this ladder bookcase is specifically scaled down to fit smaller spaces.

Once you've selected your dream bookcase, the next step is to arrange your books. Here are a few fresh ideas to do just that:

  • Arrange books by color
  • Remove the dust jackets on your hardcovers for a "new" look
  • Arrange some books so the front cover faces forward to mix it up, the way bookstores do it
  • Add a string of lights to illuminate your favorite titles
  • Arrange books alphabetically or by genre