Standard bookcases come in standard sizes, and very few rooms do. The gap beside a chimney breast, the space under a sloping ceiling or a long wall in a home office rarely match a catalogue measurement, which is how you end up with awkward gaps above and beside a shelving unit. A made to measure bookcase is built to the space instead.
Where made to measure makes the biggest difference
- Alcoves either side of a fireplace, where a fitted bookcase can fill the width and height exactly.
- Sloping ceilings, where shelving can follow the line of the roof rather than stopping short.
- Home offices and studies, where shelving, a desk and storage can be planned together. See our study and home office furniture.
- Lounges, where bookcases can sit alongside cupboards or a TV unit. See lounge furniture.
Things to decide before you commission
- What it needs to hold. Paperbacks, large art books, files and display pieces need different shelf heights and depths. Tell us what you have and we can plan the spacing around it.
- Open shelves or cupboards. Many bookcases combine open shelving above with closed storage below.
- Timber. Oak and pine are both used for bookcases. Oak has a more formal, open grain; pine is lighter and more traditional country. Details are on our materials page.
- Finish. Natural oiled or waxed timber, or painted. A painted finish is a good way to match an existing scheme — see styles and finishes.
How it works with Greenwood
You deal directly with Martin Raitt, who designs and builds each piece. For fitted work, measurements are taken on site so the bookcase is made around your actual walls. Every piece comes with a 10-year craftsmanship guarantee.
If you are planning bookcases for an alcove, study or lounge, get in touch with the room size and what you want to store, or look at the full bespoke furniture range.