Forget about 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Time Machine. If you thought the fiction of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells was creative, wait till you see the bookcases top designers have come up with on which to store such notable classics. These days, it’s unique design and out-of-the-box thinking that drives the creation of shelves where you can store and display your most prized literature.

Take for example the Storyline Shelf by Frederik Roije. This is the first bookcase ever designed off of the pattern, created by the soundwave, resulting in the utterance of the word “bliss.” Looking at it, it’s obvious, right? Actually some people say when mounted horizontally, it looks just like the Manhattan skyline – perfect for holding your copy of John Dos Passos’ Manhattan Transfer.

Storyline Shelf

Storyline Shelf by Frederik Roije

The Kanji bookcase is an original book shelf created in the mold of a kanji Chinese character. Designed by Sammy Engramer, its Far East sensibility and black finish give it a stark and appealing look. With its geometric shape and space efficient design, it’s perfect for a bedroom or small home office. This shelf screams out for William Overgard’s Shanghai Tango.

Kanji bookcase

Kanji bookcase by Sammy Engramer

Need some flexibility in your life? Check out the Elastico Bookcase by designer Arianna Vivenzio, sporting one strong piece of “elastomeric” material stretched around two strong metallic elements fastened to the wall. With a minimalist, durable shelf like this, you’ll be able to hold everything from The Canterbury Tales Cliffs Notes to Tolstoy’s War & Peace.

Elastico Bookcase

Elastico Bookcase by Arianna Vivenzio

If you happen to be short on ideas of which books to stock your new designer shelf with, check out Juniper Books. Helping homeowners and designers build custom book collections, they can cater to your particular interests, budget and personal aesthetic.