What is the difference between a bookcase and a bookshelf?
A bookcase is a close-sided unit that literally encases books and is designed to sit on the floor, while a bookshelf does not have encased ends and is usually designed to hang on a wall. Bookcases tend to be more traditional than bookshelves and are often installed as permanent recessed fixtures in a home. Because they’re large, heavy pieces of furniture, most freestanding bookcases are fairly narrow. In contrast, bookshelves are not usually permanent fixtures. They also tend to be more modern in style because they are composed of floating or stacked shelves. Because bookshelves don’t have encased ends, they require bookends to keep books upright. Since they don’t have a frame, bookshelves weigh substantially less than bookshelves. For this reason, it is common to find large bookshelf units that span an entire wall.
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Lead photo by Andrea Cipriani Mecchi / Design by Michele Plachter Design