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Narrow Bookshelf

A narrow bookshelf uses the wall rather than the floor, which is the whole point in a room that has run out of the second one. Ours are all under two feet wide and run from low units to towers over six feet tall.

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Save $70Cube Storage Cabinet, 5 Shelves, 70.9 in Tall, White

Narrow means the floor, not the storage

A slim tower and a wide low bookcase can hold the same number of books. The difference is what they take from the room. A narrow unit gives that back, which is why it works in a hallway, an alcove or the gap beside a desk.

Height needs anchoring

The taller and narrower a shelf, the smaller its base relative to its height. Most of these ship with an anti tip strap or wall anchor. Use it, particularly on carpet, where the whole unit can rock on a soft floor.

Corner units and dead space

Several here are built for a corner, which is normally the least used part of a room. A corner unit turns that triangle into shelving without projecting into the walking space.

Specifications

Width range
11.6 to 24 in
Height range
10.4 to 83.4 in
Materials
MDF, glass, solid wood, particleboard
Formats
Straight, corner, ladder, glass fronted
Wall anchor
Supplied on most tall units

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How narrow is a narrow bookshelf?
Everything on this page is under 24 inches wide, and the slimmest are under 12. The width is on every product page, which matters when you are fitting an alcove.
Do tall narrow bookshelves tip over?
Not when anchored, and most ship with the hardware to do it. A tall shelf has a small base relative to its height, so the anchor is doing real work rather than being a formality.
How much weight will each shelf hold?
Where the manufacturer states it, the range runs from 22 to 84 pounds a shelf. Glass shelves usually state a lower figure than wood or MDF ones.
Can a narrow bookshelf hold more than books?
Most of these are used for a mix. Adjustable shelves help, because the bay heights can be set for tall files or small display pieces rather than paperbacks alone.