Shopping: Bookcases

I used to work at a firm that designed a lot of libraries.  My role usually meant drafting row upon row of bookshelves in AutoCAD.  I didn't think I learned much from the experience until I realized I was running out of shelf space for my personal library and I had to shop for a bookcase.

See, when a library decides it needs an expansion, the librarians will provide the architect with its shelving requirement in linear feet.  The librarians will measure the existing collection and usually add an extra 20 percent for future growth.

When I applied this strategy at home, I measured our existing bookcase* (making sure to include the rows that were doubled-up), the books that were in boxes, and a couple decorative bookends to find our shelving requirement.  It came to 273 inches.  Then I added an extra 25 percent (allowing for future knick-knacks as well as books) which brought the total to 341inches.

Armed with this number, I was able to determine that this West Elm shelf was too small since it would only carry 150 inches (30 inches * 5 rows).  So even if I got two (300 inches), it would barely accommodate my existing library (273 inches) and wouldn't leave much room for growth.

[Flat-Bar Bookcase at West Elm]

On the other hand, this bookcase could hold 210 inches each (42 inches * 5 rows), so if I got two (420 inches), it would work nicely.

[Parsons Tower at West Elm]

This is a useful strategy that can be applied to almost every storage need: the pantry, linens, clothes, shoes, dishes, handbags, etc.

*Curious, I measured the capacity of our old bookcase.  A measly 180 inches!  No wonder it was overflowing.  Numbers don't lie.