21 Elegant Built-In Shelves Ideas For The Living Room
There’s something so elegant about built-in shelves in the living room.
They give your home a sense of modern style and sophistication while also providing a functional purpose.
Whether you want to display your book collection, family photos, or other knick-knacks, built-in shelving is the way to go.
It looks like an extension of your living room rather than an afterthought, and it’s the perfect solution for homes with high ceilings and blank walls.
If you’re considering built-in shelves for your living room, check out these ideas for some inspiration.
1. Traditional Living Room Built-In Ideas
In this traditional living room, the built-ins are designed with a classic, timeless look.
The white shelves and cabinets are offset by a dark wood mantel and fireplace surround.
The shelves are styled with a mix of traditional decor items and a few modern touches.
The built-ins are flanked by two windows, creating a symmetrical look in the room.
2. White Built-In Shelves In A Classic Living Room
In a classic living room, built-in shelves are a great way to add a touch of elegance to the space.
This living room uses a white and gold color scheme that is reflected in the built-in shelves.
The white shelves and built-in desk are accented with gold hardware and a gold trim. The gold accents give the classic built-in shelves a modern touch.
3. Living Room Built-In Shelves With Seating
If you have the space, add a window seat to your living room built-in shelves. This is a great way to add extra seating to the room.
Not to mention, it creates a cozy little nook where you can curl up with a good book.
This living room designed by Kate Marker Interiors features a built-in window seat that’s flanked by open wood shelves.
The shelves are used to display art, decorative objects, and books. The built-in window seat is topped with a cushion and pillows, making it an inviting spot to sit.
4. Modern Living Room Built-In Shelves
This modern living room designed by Studio McGee features a built-in shelving unit that spans the entire wall.
The shelves are broken up into sections to create a more decorative look.
The shelves are styled with a combination of books, vases, and sculptures.
The consistent use of black and white gives the shelves a cohesive look.
5. Living Room Built-In Shelves Around The Fireplace
This living room from the_brothers_stonington features a fireplace flanked by built-in shelves.
The shelves are recessed to create a seamless look with the fireplace and are balanced by a long shelf that runs the length of the fireplace mantel.
This shelf is a great place to display art or decorative objects and adds visual interest to the room.
The built-in shelves are designed to be symmetrical and hold a mix of books, decorative objects, and storage baskets.
6. Living Room Built-In Shelves With Blue Accents
In this living room, you’ll notice that the built-in shelves are the same color as the wall.
This makes the shelves look like they’re part of the wall and not a separate element.
The blue accents on the shelves help to bring some color to the space without overwhelming the room.
It’s a great way to add color if you’re not a big fan of bold shades.
7. Living Room Built-In Shelves With TV
A built-in bookshelf can be designed to include a TV.
This is a great way to combine your entertainment center with your built-in shelves.
This built-in bookshelf includes a sleek electric fireplace and a TV. The fireplace is a great addition to the room, and the TV is easily seen from the sofa.
8. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Rustic Vibe
These built-in shelves have a rustic vibe that contrasts with the modern fireplace.
The raw wood floating shelves add warmth to the room and provide plenty of space for displaying decor.
The shelves are simple, with clean lines that complement the fireplace’s design.
The fireplace surround is a focal point, and these built-in shelves don’t distract from it.
9. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Pop Of Color
If you’re not afraid to go bold, add a pop of color to your living room built-in shelves.
Use a single color to make a big statement or add a few pieces in different colors for a more eclectic look.
If you’re not sure which color to choose, start by looking around your living room. What colors are already in the space?
Choose a color that’s already in your color palette to ensure it will complement the rest of the room.
10. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Unique Design
This design is a bit more unique than some of the other living room built-in shelves ideas we’ve seen.
The shelves are built into the wall to the left of the fireplace, and they have a few things that make them stand out.
The first is the unique design of the shelves.
They aren’t just straight across; they have a few different levels, which adds a lot of visual interest and character to the space.
The next thing that makes this design unique is the fact that the shelves are built into the wall, but they are also a part of the fireplace design.
The shelves have the same white brick as the fireplace, and the shelves have a wood top that matches the mantle.
The last thing that makes this design unique is the fact that the shelves are built into the wall, but they are also a part of the fireplace design.
The shelves have the same white brick as the fireplace, and the shelves have a wood top that matches the mantle.
11. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Window Seat
If you have a living room with a large window, you can use the space under the window as a spot for built-in shelves.
This design is perfect for a window seat. You can use the built-in shelves to create a cozy nook where you can sit and enjoy the view.
12. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A View
If you have a living room with a view, you’ll want to consider how the built-in shelving design complements the windows.
In this space, the built-in shelves have a similar height and structure to the windows, creating a cohesive look.
The shelves are also painted the same color as the walls for a seamless design.
13. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Nautical Theme
This built-in shelf design is perfect for a beach or lake house. The shelves are painted white and have a distressed finish for a casual, lived-in look.
The shelves are decorated with nautical decor, including a vintage boat, a ship in a bottle, and a lighthouse.
The color scheme is soft and soothing, with shades of blue, white, and gray.
A few seashells and pieces of coral add the finishing touch to this lovely built-in shelf design.
14. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Library Ladder
If you have a lot of shelves and need to access the higher ones, a library ladder is a great solution.
Not only is it functional, but it also adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to your living room.
You can find library ladders in a variety of finishes, including brass, chrome, and wood.
Choose a finish that complements the other hardware in your living room, such as the light fixtures and cabinet pulls.
15. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Desk
This living room built-in is a versatile piece that can be used in many different ways.
The top section of the built-in is a display shelf with a library ladder that can be used to access the upper shelves.
The middle section is a desk with a chair, and the bottom section is a cabinet with doors that can be used for storage.
The desk and chair can be removed and replaced with a comfortable chair or a chaise lounge for a reading nook.
This is a great way to make the most of a limited amount of space.
16. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Bar
If you’re a fan of entertaining guests in your home, a living room built-in with a bar area is a great way to add storage while also providing a functional space for serving drinks.
This built-in cabinet design by New England Design Works is a great example of how you can combine a bar area with open shelves and closed cabinets.
The different types of storage allow you to keep things like glassware and bottles on display while also having a place to hide clutter.
This is especially important if your built-in is near the entryway or has an open design that connects to other rooms.
17. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Hidden Door
If you have a large living room, you can create a library or reading nook by adding built-in shelves filled with books.
To add a touch of elegance to the space, choose a rich wood for the shelves and add a rolling library ladder.
In this living room, the built-in shelves are located next to the fireplace, and the library ladder can be pushed out of the way when not in use.
18. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Murphy Bed
If you’re tight on space, built-in shelves can be a great way to add storage to your living room.
In this design, the built-in shelves are used to create a library wall.
But the shelves are also used to conceal a Murphy bed. This design is perfect for a guest room or a small studio apartment.
19. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Wine Rack
If you’re a wine connoisseur, you probably have a wine rack or a wine fridge somewhere in your home. Why not incorporate it into your living room built-in shelves?
You can store your favorite bottles of wine, wine glasses, and other bar accessories on the shelves with your books and other decorative items.
If you love to entertain, this is a great way to keep everything you need for a cozy night in one place.
20. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A TV Stand
A TV stand can be built into the shelves to create a seamless look.
This is a great way to make sure your TV doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb in your living room.
If you’re not a fan of the typical TV wall mount, this is a great way to incorporate your TV into your built-in shelving.
You can also add a sliding door to hide the TV when it’s not in use.
21. Living Room Built-In Shelves With A Chalkboard
This living room is brimming with personality, and the built-in shelves play a big part in that.
The shelves themselves are very simple, but the large chalkboard behind them adds a ton of character.
This is a great way to add a focal point to your living room built-in shelves.
Conclusion
Built-in shelves can be a way to add personality to your space. By choosing the right materials and decor, you can make a statement that is uniquely yours.
We hope these built-in shelves ideas have inspired you to make a change in your living room.
