The Best Bookcases for Home Library – Reviews

Where to Buy a Corner Bookcase?

Where to Buy a Corner Bookcase? Quite often I find myself wondering where I am going to store the massive book collection I own. I was an English Literature major in college and have always held the

opinion that it is better to purchase a book than it is to rent a book. I like to own what I read and that has left me with a surplus of books that I don’t have much room for. If this happens to you as well, it might be time to start thinking about buying a new bookcase. Might I suggest purchasing a corner bookcase?

Corner bookcases are compact and they fit neatly into most rooms. They go well with any décor and you can usually fit a lot of books in them. The smaller ones are pretty nice to

use as the end or night tables and you can get away with putting up some potted plants or something on some of the fancier versions.

The problem is, the corner bookcase is a bit hard to find sometimes. It’s easy to find just any old bookcase but if you want that perfect bookcase you’ll have to dig a little bit. I’ve compiled a sample list of some of the places you can go to buy really nice-looking corner bookcases (and other sorts of bookcases) without breaking your wallet in half.

There are three primary paths to take in purchasing a corner bookcase. These are:

1. Online
2. Retail Stores
3. Private Dealers

All three have their own strengths and weaknesses but there are some tricks to finding exactly what you want. Allow me to explain:

Online:

The internet is an infinite marketplace sometimes. You can find just about anything if you’re willing to work hard enough at it and a corner bookcase isn’t that rare of an item to find. There are three main websites that I go to first when shopping for a corner bookcase, they don’t really require a ranking because they are all pretty good:

Craigslist

Craigslist is a great spot to check out if you’re looking for used furniture. It’s a locally oriented social website where people in your area can post listings about stuff they are trying to sell. My friends and I have had great success finding and selling a ton of furniture through craigslist. I’ve found couches, beds, desks, lamps, bookcases… you name it. If your city is big enough, there is probably someone trying to sell what you are looking for.

Amazon.com

Amazon is a general outlet store. It sells everything from furniture to video games and all of its stuff ranges in quality from top of the line to the bottom of the barrel. They have some really nice bookcases on there right now as I’m writing this and you can find some in all different shapes and sizes. The only problem with Amazon is that you have to have the bookcase shipped to you. It might be okay if you’re willing to wait but I’m an impatient person and don’t like my books sitting around in boxes all day.

Book Cases Galore

Bookcases galore is an online specialty store dealing in, you guessed it, bookcases! You can find any type of bookcase you want here, in all shapes and sizes. This site is perfect for you if you’re looking for a particular brand or style because they carry just about every type of bookcase out there. Again, you have to worry about the shipping costs but otherwise, this site is great.

Local Retail Furniture Stores:

Bed Bath and Beyond

If you’re not willing to wait for the bookcase to be shipped to you, stop by Bed Bath and Beyond and pick one up. The great thing about this store is that they sell corner bookcases preassembled as well as unassembled so you don’t even have to worry about putting it together once you get it. They’ve got some cute ones too.

Target

Target has a furniture section that is surprisingly good. You’ll be able to find some unassembled bookcases there (though they might just be called bookshelves) and they are decent quality at a reasonable price.

Wal-Mart

Another one of those general retailers that has a furniture section. I don’t usually recommend Wal-Mart as I don’t agree much with their employment policies but you can find some really cheap bookcases here. You’ll have to assemble them yourself and the quality of them might not be the best, but its probably worth a look if you aren’t really serious about what kind of bookcase you want.

Private Dealer:

Carpenter

If you’re looking for a custom-built bookcase you’re going to have to go and visit your local carpenter or woodsman. He’ll be able to build one for you to your specifications and it will hopefully be of great quality. You don’t find furniture like that much anymore so it’s going to be pretty expensive.

Garage Sale:

If you’re looking for cheap stuff, check out the garage sales in your area. You won’t necessarily find a bookcase there but if you do it will most likely be an incredible bargain. I’ve found some little corner bookcases at garage sales for under $10 sometimes.

There are many other options for purchasing a corner bookcase but these are the few that I would recommend. If you have any suggestions of your own, feel free to drop a comment and let me know.

How to Build a Corner Bookcase?

So you’re interested in building a cute little corner bookcase of your own, eh? Well, you’ve come to the right place, my friend. Let me give you some quick but helpful tips that will get you started in the process of constructing your own one-of-a-kind corner bookcase. You’ll feel good once you’ve finished and it’s a great piece to show off to friends (if you do a good job that is) and it’s not as difficult as it sounds.

First, let me say that it would be prudent to speak directly to an expert artisan or carpenter before beginning any sort of job like this. This is one of the few simple woodworking projects but unless you are an expert yourself, there is always something a master can teach you. So, be safe and seek additional assistance.

Let’s begin by spelling out some of the necessary tools and supplies you’ll need to acquire before embarking on this hobby corner bookcase project. Minimum Tools Required:

• Hammer and Nails (nail size depends on the thickness of the wood)
• Screwdrivers and some Screws/Brads (flat head and Phillips would be ideal)
• Power drill with assorted drill bits

Minimum Supplies Required:

• At least 3 pieces of lumber
• Some L brackets
• Plywood or a similar thin hardwood
• Wood stain or paint
• Sand Paper

Once you’ve gone out and purchased all of those supplies at your local hardware store it is time to start thinking about placement and design. There are many varieties of corner bookcases and all of them when made by hand will have a charming homemade look that will be hard to find anywhere else. If it is your first time building one of these bookcases I would recommend starting with something small and simple. That way you can get the hang of the construction work and create much nicer pieces in the future.

Some example styles are:

• 29” Corner Bookcase: this is a nice one for beginnings. It is small and compact and it has a simple covered design with just one shelf in the middle.
• Angel Front Base Bookcase Cabinet: a bit more complicated but similar to the basic 29” corner bookcase. This one adds a few more shelves and also a glass door in front.
• Wireframe corner bookcase: these are modern concept corner bookcases. Very minimalist as the shelves is wide open and exposed. Nice for those rooms with tight corners.

Now that you’ve selected your style you can decide which corner in your house would be the prime location for your one-of-a-kind corner bookcase. I like to put my corner bookcase in the bedroom or the den. It’s important to choose a room that doesn’t have a television in it because we want the bookcase to be filled with books and not DVDs or video games. The whole point of this project is to have more of an excuse to read your favorite books anyway, right?

Time to start building; just follow these basic steps:

1. Layout all of your tools and supplies so that you will have easy access to them. A workbench or patio is great for this. You want to make it as comfortable an environment as you can because you’ll be working there for a few hours at least.
2. Drill holes in the plywood or hardwood for the screws to fit into. Careful not to use too large of a drill bit. It will only cause problems and another trip back to the hardware store. You’ll want a hole in each of the four corners of the wood.
3. Measure and cut the lumber to make the bottom piece, top piece, and shelving units of the corner bookcase. Keep in mind that these are the most important pieces in your bookcase. They will need to carry the weight of the design and fit snug in the corner you chose. I like to cut them to look like the silhouette of an ice cream cone, a triangle with a smooth circular front.
4. Sand the wood. Sanding all of the edges of the wood is one of the most important steps. If you sand the wood properly you will notice when you get to staining it. It will look so much more professional.
5. Stain or paint the wood and L brackets. You’ll want to choose a color that matches the décor of the room the bookcase will be sitting in. If most of your furniture is dark wood, stain the pieces you cut out to match that. Or, go crazy and paint it like an artist. It’s completely up to you.
6. Draw some spacing on the sides of your bookcase and attach the L brackets according to shelf heights. The L brackets will be holding up the shelves inside the bookcase so you want to make sure to space them enough that you’ll be able to fit some books in there. 3 inches from the back and 3 inches from the front is usually a safe bet.
7. Assemble the bookcase. Put all of the pieces together and give yourself a pat on the back. You just finished making a beautiful piece of custom furniture.

I hope this little guide helps you in creating a custom corner bookcase for your home. You can find all sorts of other information about it online or just ask your neighborhood hardware store’s wood clerk and he’ll be able to give you some tips as well. Good luck!

What to Do with Your Old Corner Bookcase?

Nothing lasts forever, not even corner bookcases. Eventually, you’re going to want to get rid of your old bookcase and replace it with a nicer one. Maybe you’re moving to a bigger place and the one you have doesn’t match what you design plans are or maybe you’ve collected even more books than you thought you would and have outgrown the bookcase you own. Whatever the reason, you have a new bookcase and need to get rid of the old one. What can you do?

Before you do anything it would be a good idea to think of other uses your old bookcase can provide. I’ve used many of my old bookcases as TV stands and they work great because you can then use the shelves for DVD storage. Old furniture shouldn’t go to waste, there are too many other uses for it.

But, if you simply must get rid of it, there are a few things you can do with your old unwanted bookcases. You could throw them away… but this one is not a very good option. Why throw away such a useful piece of furniture? You could turn it into something else or store something other than books in it. That might be a reasonable solution but if you don’t have space in your place for a secondary bookcase, well, it might not work out too well. The best way to go about getting rid of your old bookcase is to sell it to someone else.

When you sell your corner bookcase you’ll not only free up space but you’ll get something out of it also. If it’s a bookcase that you built yourself you’ll be able to say proudly that someone wanted to buy a piece of furniture that you made and even if you didn’t make it you’ll feel good about the wad of new cash in your pocket.

But where do you start? How can you sell this worn-out piece of furniture? If you don’t want it, who will? Trust me, someone will. There are some precautions you can take though if you’re willing to take the time.

Before listing your bookcase anywhere for sale, it might be a good idea to polish it up a bit. Make it look nice by sanding down the rough spots and refinishing it. Maybe choose a new paint color or stain it a different shade of brown. There are all sorts of things you can do to make a bookcase look fresh and new again. Once you’ve got it ready to put up for sale, you should decide where you want to sell it.

Just like when you first purchased your corner bookcase there were many retail outlets to choose from, well now there are many seller outlets to choose from as well. Here are some examples:

Online

Selling stuff online is great. There are tons of sites out there just waiting for you to throw up some old stuff of yours and sell it to people who want it. I suggest using eBay in particular for your corner bookcase selling needs. The great thing about eBay is that it’s a bidding site so you never know how much money you could potential make off of your old piece of furniture. Put it up there for the amount you originally purchased it for and see what happens.

If no one is willing to bid on your item through eBay you could also place an ad on Craigslist. I’m sure someone in your area would love to take home an antique bookcase, they are just waiting for you to list it. Again I would suggest just listing it for the original price, or maybe a little bit lower. People like to haggle with craigslist ads so be prepared for that.

Garage Sale

If you’re moving away and have other stuff to sell, you might want to think about hosting a garage sale. Throw a couple of tables on your lawn and put some sides up around your neighborhood and see who comes by to peruse your personal items. Be prepared for a lot of haggling because garage sales are notorious for that. You definitely won’t get back exactly what you paid for but you have a chance at making at least a few books.

Donate or Scrap

If you don’t want to sell your bookcase but still need to get rid of it you could donate it to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. They are always looking for new furniture to take in and when you give it to them you know it will eventually find its way to someone’s home. Plus, you get a decent tax write-off for making donations to charity.

The last option is to scrap the wood and use it for something else. Tear down the old bookcase and build a brand new table or just give the pieces to your kids for their karate lessons. It’s always fun to watch someone’s heel stomp your old furniture into oblivion.

Decorating Your Corner Bookcase

Well, you’ve purchased or built a corner bookcase of your own and you’re ready to make it look amazing. A carefully decorated bookcase can add style and character to any room but it is important not to go overboard.

A bookcase should stand out but it should also be subtle enough to not stick out like a sore thumb. The idea is to present your books in a refined, dignified, cool manner. Don’t decorate your bookcase in opposition to the rest of your room, make sure that it blends nicely with the original décor.

Here are some ideas for decorating your particular bookcase. These are some concepts that I have been toying with and they are also some that I have implemented in my own home at times. Test out a bunch of different options and see what works best for you. No matter what I say, we all have different eyes and perceive beauty differently. What might look fantastic to you will not necessarily be someone else’s cup of tea. Keep that in mind as we proceed.

Outside the Bookcase:

What exactly do I mean by outside the bookcase? Well, I’m talking about the paint job, color, and style of the bookcase as well as what you can put on top or below the bookcase. Many people overlook the potential of the top part of the bookcase and tend to just store random junk and knick-knacks up there but you could do so much more.

Think about putting a potted plant, maybe one that kind of drapes down its leaves over a portion of the shelving. It will create a nice looking canopy effect and give your room a little more green flare.

You can also spruce up the bookcase by contrasting colors. If you have a dark brown or chestnut stain job you could put on top of it a white linen or doilies pattern. It might make your room look like a 17th-century living room but if that’s the look you want to achieve it would be a perfect touch.

One can never go wrong with putting family portraits or other pictures up there on the top of a bookcase either. Try mixing and matching different frame combinations and angle the pictures so that they are easy to see.

Inside the Bookcase:

Bookcases are not necessarily just for books. Even though a vast collection of books can make a bookcase look elegant and scholarly, adding a touch of something else here and there makes it look nice too.

When I was in high school I used to sit some antique gumball machines next to some of the books on my shelf. I also had some model figurines that I mixed in there as well. You always want to fill the bookcase mostly with books but on one or two of the shelves, you can put a focus point knick-knack item that will stand out and give your room character.

If the décor in your room has a certain theme, like boating, for instance, try and choose items that would follow in the same vein. If I had a nautical-themed room I might stick a well-crafted model sailboat next to some of my books or maybe a compass. The possibilities are truly endless.

Around the Bookcase:

Speaking of themed rooms, we should talk a little bit about what can go around your bookcase. You never want to have a corner bookcase sitting all alone on one side of the room while the rest of the furniture is having a party on the other end. You want to try and spread out your furniture so that the bookcase doesn’t look so lonely and foreboding. One of the easiest ways to make your space look empty is to stick a bookcase in the middle of it all by its lonesome.

Desks, night tables, or coffee tables make nice partners for corner bookcases. Or, if you place the bookshelf properly, a closet door brings out a nice touch as well.

There are tons of different things to do with your bookcase. It may seem silly talking about it but I’m just trying to get the point across that you don’t just have to stick books in there and forget about it. Corner bookcases are big pieces of furniture sometimes and they need a little extra attention to make them look great.

Good luck with your decorating!

Do It Yourself Basement Crack Repair

Found a crack in the basement or foundation of your home? Don’t worry immediately, cracks can happen for a lot of reasons. In most cases, cracks occur by natural causes that affect the structure of the building such as erosion, an initial settlement or caused by more serious reasons such as an ongoing settlement, unusual pressures or bad construction. When you are going to repair a crack in the basement wall you have to do it at the earliest time possible so you can prevent an escalation of damage. A neglected crack will be the entry point for moisture and water to seep out and leak into your basement. Every crack could be a venue for mold and mildew growth which can pose health risks in your home. In order to successfully repair the crack, it is important that you diagnose it first and then see if you can repair it yourself.

There are a lot of ways to repair cracks in the basement. Injection of polyurethane foam into the crack is an easy, quick and effective way to block water entry in the crack. Polyurethane foams are injected into the basement crack in a liquid form and this allows a gentle and slow filling process of the basement crack that will eventually completely fill the crack. It should also be noted that when it comes to a crack repair caulk and hydraulic cement do not work. Many have thought that this is the easy way to repair crack but it is just a temporary solution and eventually, it will lose adhesion and peel off.

Foundation wall cracks are a result of the soil or structure underneath the home shifting or settling and possibly expanding or contracting. As the soil moves underneath the home the foundation footing shifts as well, becoming unstable and causing cracks to form in the walls of the structure. Do not be disheartened when it comes to repairing cracks, there a lot of DIY foundation crack repair guides and equipment available in the market today. You just need to know the type of DIY kit to buy.