If the celebrity looks at the 81st Annual Golden Globes were any indication, the color of the year — or hey, at least the season (it is only January, after all) — is red. The specific shade that dominated the carpet was closer to a firetruck or than, say, a brick red, and it packed a weighty, showstopping punch.
As we all know, design trends from the celebrity catwalk often trickle down into homes and interiors, so I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until pops of red in your living room and kitchen are all the rage. And to help you get ahead of the pack, I’ve created yet another edit of the best bookshelves to buy right now … and they all have one thing in common. Care to guess what it is?
So put on Taylor Swift’s best album and cut up an apple or two because today, we’re seeing red.
12 of the best red bookshelves you can buy right now
HEMNES Bookcase
Price: $249
IKEA might not be the first retailer you think of when ideating on luxe home furnishings, but it is a behemoth for a reason. Its pieces are dependable, affordable, and steeped in Scandinavian simplicity. Case in point? The HEMNES Bookcase, which features a lovely brick red and some added side paneling.
HAY New Order Bookshelf
Price: $1476
Was: $1845
Danish brand HAY never disappoints with its playful colors and contemporary designs. I love both the color and silhouette of this low bookshelf.
72″ American Heritage Bookshelf Ladder
Price: $100.99
A ladder bookshelf is not only a design mainstay, but it’s also perfect for a small space considering its small spatial footprint. The red color on this Target option has a little more funk than most others.
Modern Steel Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves
Price: $504.85
Was: $989.89
It’s not totally a minimalist bookshelf, but the missing siding on the right of this steel bookcase does add an excellent minimalist touch. All your friends will be asking, ‘Where did you get that?!’
American Furniture Classics Cabinet
Price: $136.20
The red of this cabinet/bookcase gives off a schoolhouse kind of vibe, which is why it’d be a perfect place to store your classic novels and academic trinkets.
Welded 72 in. Tall Red Metal Standard Bookcase
Price: $322.21
Was: $460.30
This Home Depot option looks a lot like the HEMNES, only this one is metal. I think it would work great in a study space, home office, or even garage — anywhere utility reigns supreme.
Laketia 13.75” Wide 4 – Shelf Storage Cabinet
Okane 52″ H x 52″ W Geometric Bookcase
Price: $184.99
Geometric designs make for the perfect modern bookshelf. The structure is a statement on its own, but you can always fill its frame with statement trinkets and books along the way.
Sapiens Bookcase Tower
Price: $225.98
Now THIS is a minimalist bookshelf. Each shelf on this tall tower option is smaller than the last, which emphasizes the books themselves over the actual silhouette (if you can ignore the red color, that is).
Signature Home Wood 4-Cube Shelf
Price: $136.78
At less than $150, this self-contained 4-cube shelf is quite the affordable bookshelf, especially if you love geometric designs.
EverBlock 4 Level Shelving Kit
Price: $337
Was: $433.35
If this set were made of wood and featured cane shelving, I’d honestly think it a perfect mid-century modern bookcase. As it were, it’s more modern and modular than that, especially when multiple are combined.
Red Barrel Studio Bookcase
Amazing news — the fun doesn’t have to stop here. If you’re interested in more color-specific round-ups, try my edits of the best white bookshelves, best green bookshelves, and the best black bookshelves, plus a look at the best circular bookshelves to buy right now.
How should I style my bookshelf?
When it comes to styling your new bookshelf, Laura Solensky of Laura Solensky Design recommends you ‘make it personal,’ she told me. ‘I think a bookshelf/shelving is the perfect place to display the things that make you happy- souvenirs from trips, family heirlooms, books you love, treasures you find antiquing, family photos, etc.’
And if you feel pressure to make it look matchy, don’t. ‘You do not need to go buy a bunch of vases or bowls to create a matching look,’ Laura emphasized. ‘Use books and items you have around your home that bring you joy. The collection will develop over time so no rush to finish it all at once.’
Ultimately, a bookshelf ‘adds so much charm and dimension’ to a room, she said. ‘And if you create a collection of books and items you love, it will always bring you joy.’