The Best Bookcase Features For Australian Homes

Bookcase furniture

Functionality, beauty, and versatility are key for bookcases best suited to Australia’s climate, design approaches, and style preferences. No matter if you live in a beachside apartment in Bondi, a spacious house in Perth, or a heritage terrace in Melbourne, the appropriate bookcase can help stylise your space and practically contain your literary collection.

Note: We specialize in selling second-hand and seconds furniture, but we do not purchase pre-owned furniture.

Bookcases and Australian interior design trends  

A distinctive feature of Australian Homes interior design is the incorporation of natural landscape and light-flooded spaces. As the name implies, modern Australian interior design opts for soft yet refined aesthetics, clean lines, natural materials, and refined relaxation. This, paired with the multifunctional nature and aesthetics of bookcases, allows for them to have a paramount role in Australian design.  

Weather concerns for Australian bookcases  

The need for living room furniture and indoor wooden elements, such as bookcases, results from Australia’s weather challenges. Ranging from the humid Darwin to the dry Adelaide, the countrywide temperatures cater to everyone’s needs. Extremities like these mean your bookcase has to be capable of enduring:  

  • A coastal environment requires blackbutt or spotted gum, which are moisture-resistant.  
  • Drier inland regions call for hardwoods like jarrah that won’t crack under low humidity.
  • In sunlit regions such as Queensland or Western Australia, the placement of bookcases necessitates UV-resistant finishes.  

Space Saving Solutions For City Folk  

Apartments and small homes are a reality for a large number of Australians, particularly those living in metropolitan areas. Innovative bookcase designs can help increase storage while not dominating your space:  

  • City apartment dwellers can benefit from tall and narrow bookcases.  
  • There are often overlooked spaces, such as corners, which are made useful by corner bookcases.  
  • Lightweight yet spacious ladder-style leaning bookcases.  
  • Room divider bookcases can define separate areas in open-plan living designs popular in newer Australian homes.  

Environmental Considerations  

The increase in Australia’s environmental awareness has led to a rise in the offer of sustainable furniture options. The next time you shop for a bookcase, think of:  

  • Wood sourced from responsibly managed forests that carry the FSC certificate.  
  • Options made from recycled or reclaimed wood.  
  • Manufacturing within Australia’s borders helps limit carbon emissions, which is a plus.  
  • Using Non-toxic finishes and adhesives greatly improves the quality of air indoors.  

Styles Suited For Australian Homes  

While design preferences differ greatly, some bookcase styles remain universally accepted in Australian interiors, such as:  

Coastal Casual  

For houses located near the coastline of Australia, white and light colored bookcases with natural wood accents create a relaxed feeling.

Open-backed designs make the piece feel less heavy in these spaces bursting with light. 

Urban Industrial  

An industrial-style bookcase with a metal frame and timber shelving will perfectly suit the mixed-use urban setting of converted warehouses or city apartments. It strikes the right balance between rugged and refined. 

Contemporary Australian  

Austrailian contemporary homes are well complemented with clean-lined bookcases that feature minimalist design elements as they spare contrived aesthetics. Look for interesting patterns in native timber grains which add warmth and character. 

Classic Heritage  

Traditional Queenslanders or Victorian terraces are styled with more ornate bookcases featuring detailed mouldings and solid construction to create architectural focal points. These meticulously crafted pieces serve to anchor the interior. 

Design Considerations for Book Lovers  

The focus on aesthetics aside, serious collectors should consider vertical aspects of bookcase design: 

  • Adjustable shelving to accommodate varying book sizes
  • Loose or bagged backing to facilitate dust barriers
  • Shelf thickness minimum 2.5cm to ensure sagging resistance under weighty hardcovers 
  • Cupboarded lower sections to shield valuable editions from dust and light
  • Ample functionality facilitates a dimmable situational mood enhancement

Custom Solutions for Unique Spaces 

Standard bookcases may prove challenging for Australian homes. Unusual architectural features can be catered with custom options as Custom-built bookcases that fit into awkward corners or alcoves

  • Storage under stairs, which also incorporates bookcase features
  • Floor-to-ceiling installations that produce a wall library effect
  • Integration with other pieces of furniture, like window seats and desks

Furnishing Your Australian Bookcase

Styling and furnishing a bookcase happens after selection, which is an opportunity to showcase creativity and enhance a home’s design:

  • Display banksia pods and gum nuts in shows as part of native Australian elements
  • Add both horizontal and vertical book stacking to create interest
  • Use Australian-designed or made bookends
  • Ensure ample negative space to avoid a cluttered appearance

Maintaining Your Bookcase within Australian Environmental Conditions

Caring for your bookcase will ensure it lasts a lifetime:

  • Do not place bookcases where there is direct sunlight to prevent fading and warping
  • Protect against humidity by applying furniture wax on wooden bookcases
  • Regularly clean surfaces, especially around urban areas or during dusty days
  • In tropical climates, use dehumidifiers to protect the bookcase and book collection

Finding Bookcases in Australia

From imported designer pieces to locally crafted options, Australians have access to many bookcase choices.

Custom cabinetmakers from regional towns and expensive furniture shops in capital cities offer bespoke pieces. Each of these sources will require some research, but selecting a good piece of furniture pays off in the long run.

Design Your Dream Reading Nook Right Now

A bookcase is a piece of furniture that serves a purpose. However, in this case, the bookcase purchased should intelligently elevate the aesthetics of the room, integrating beauty, utility, and Australian charm in one. The right bookcase will be a testament to the owner’s literary life, besides acting as a statement piece in the house.

Wondering how to elevate your space with a majestic bookcase? Visit or browse Seconds Furniture’s website for Australia’s finest selection of bookcases specially tailored for our unique climate and Australian-inspired designs. Crafted with Australian conditions in mind, our bookcases preserve timeless craftsmanship with contemporary Australian design. Get up to 50% off and take your first step towards a beautiful and organised home.


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