White bookcases have been a fixture in British homes for decades, offering practical storage with a clean, adaptable style. Available in sizes from small corner units to full wall systems, they work in everything from studio flats to country houses. Their popularity makes perfect sense - they store your books and bits while brightening spaces and fitting with almost any décor you\'ve got. As a part of living room furniture, white bookcases bring both function and style without dominating the space like darker woods might. They create perfect display areas for books, photos and treasured objects, while many designs incorporate drawers or cupboards for hiding the less attractive stuff we all accumulate. The neutral shade means they work equally well in traditional settings with antiques and period features as they do in cutting-edge contemporary spaces with bold colours and statement pieces. Even as interior trends come and go, white bookcases remain steadfastly practical while complementing whatever style you fancy this season.
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The material and finish of your bookcase affect both how it looks and how long it lasts. Each type has its own character despite sharing the same basic colour.
White Gloss Bookcase
Gloss bookcases add a modern touch to any room. The shiny surface reflects light, making them useful in darker spaces or small rooms that need brightening up. They're easier to clean than matte finishes - just a quick wipe sorts most marks.
Most have simple, straight lines without fussy details. They look right at home in newer properties, particularly flats and modern houses. Tall versions make a statement, while low ones work under windows or behind sofas.
Good quality gloss isn't just about looks. Proper ones have several coats of lacquer over solid MDF, so they don't warp like cheaper versions often do. Corner units make good use of dead space, while ladder designs give you storage without dominating the room.
If you need to hide stuff as well as display things, look for gloss units with drawers at the bottom. These work particularly well in living rooms where you've got a mix of things you want to show off and things you'd rather keep out of sight.
The best gloss bookcases have proper back panels that stop them from wobbling when full. Cheap ones sometimes just have a thin backing that bends under weight, so check this before buying if you've got heavy books to store.
White and Oak Bookcase
White with oak details gives you the best of both worlds - clean and fresh but with some natural warmth mixed in. Usually, they have white frames with oak shelves or door fronts, creating a balanced look that's neither too modern nor too traditional.
The contrast between white surfaces and oak's honey colour keeps things interesting without being showy. Low white and oak units fit perfectly under windows, while taller ones give plenty of storage space without looking bulky or heavy in the room.
Open bookcase shows off books and ornaments nicely, with the oak bringing some texture to the display. Units with oak doors let you hide clutter while keeping that appealing mix of materials. The better units combine open shelves with cupboard sections - half for your nice books and ornaments, half for hiding the junk we all collect. That's what makes them so handy.
The oak elements take on more character over time, developing a deeper tone that adds to the bookcase's appeal. This natural aging process gives white and oak pieces a quality that all-white units sometimes lack after a few years.
White Painted Bookcase
Properly painted bookcases offer a timeless look that works in most homes. Built from solid woods like pine, they have several layers of hard-wearing paint that lets a bit of the wood grain show through here and there.
This subtle texture creates a more relaxed feel than gloss bookcases, making them right for family homes and country-style interiors. They don't look as stark or clinical as some all-white furniture can, blending better with sofas, curtains and carpets to create rooms that feel properly lived-in.
Narrow bookcases fit neatly beside chimney breasts or in those awkward spaces that houses often have. Deeper units hold more books but take up more floor space, so measure your room carefully before choosing. Most ranges include everything from short bookcases for under windows to tall ones that reach the ceiling, making the most of your wall height.
Good quality painted bookcases have proper joints - dovetailed drawers and mortise-and-tenon frames that don't come loose over time. The painted finish can be touched up if scratched, letting these pieces last for years of family use - something you can't do easily with laminate or veneer surfaces.
The paint itself should be relatively thick but smooth, without drips or rough patches. Better quality units have paint inside as well as outside, whereas cheaper ones might be left unfinished internally. This matters more than you might think - unfinished interiors can snag clothes or shed dust onto whatever you're storing.
White Rattan Bookcase
For something a bit different, white bookcases with rattan details offer texture and interest that plain wood lacks. These typically have painted wooden frames with rattan panels in the doors or drawer fronts, creating furniture with more character than all-white pieces.
The mix of smooth paint and natural woven rattan gives these bookcases a distinctive look that works especially well in living rooms and sunrooms. They have a slightly relaxed, almost coastal feel without being too themed or obvious about it. The texture prevents that cold, clinical look that puts some people off white furniture.
Open shelving versions let you display books and ornaments, while units with rattan doors hide contents behind attractive textured panels. The wooden structure keeps everything stable, while the rattan elements prevent the piece from looking heavy or bulky. Slim rattan bookcases are perfect for smaller rooms where you need storage without overwhelming the space.
Every rattan bookcase has slight variations in the weaving pattern, giving each one a unique character you won't get with factory-perfect finishes. Good ones use properly dried rattan that won't shrink in central heating, keeping its appearance for years.
The contrast between geometric frame and organic rattan creates visual interest that plain bookcases can lack. This textural mix draws the eye without being flashy, making these pieces subtle focal points in a room. Over time, both the white paint and natural rattan age attractively, developing character rather than just looking worn.
Devonshire Living
Drawing on years of furniture-making knowledge, Devonshire Living makes white bookcases known for solid construction and thoughtful design. Their painted ranges use proper timber with traditional joinery that ensures they stay sturdy even when full of heavy books.
Their white bookcases tend toward a softer, more traditional look that fits perfectly in country houses and period homes. Many have subtle details like beading or panel work that references classic furniture styles without looking old-fashioned or fussy. The paint gets several coats, creating a finish with depth that actually improves as it ages.
You'll find everything from corner units for awkward spaces to complete wall systems for serious book collections. Most of their ranges include matching coffee tables, TV units and other living room pieces, letting you keep a consistent look throughout the room.
For those willing to invest in quality furniture that will last, Devonshire Living sits at the premium end of the market. Their bookcases cost more than high street versions but offer craftsmanship and design that will still look good decades later.
Furniture To Go
Offering affordable white bookcases that don't sacrifice style, Furniture To Go provides a wide range of options that combine practicality with contemporary design. Their pieces typically feature clean lines and minimal fuss, making them ideal for modern homes and flats.
Their gloss collections are particularly popular, with reflective surfaces that brighten smaller rooms. Most ranges include various sizes, from narrow ladder designs to substantial storage units with plenty of shelf space. They've made assembly straightforward, using systems that don't require specialist tools or skills.
The white and oak combinations offer excellent value for those wanting some warmth without paying premium prices. Their manufacturing focuses on efficiency without cutting corners on appearance, creating bookcases that look good and function well without breaking the bank.
Their streamlined distribution keeps prices competitive across their white bookcase ranges, making them popular choices for first homes and rental properties. While they may not last generations like handcrafted pieces, their better ranges stand up well to everyday use with proper care.
What many customers appreciate is the consistency across their ranges - if you buy a white TV unit and bookcase from the same collection, the whites will match exactly, something that isn't always true with more expensive brands. They've also developed packaging that protects edges and corners effectively, reducing the risk of transit damage that plagues some flat-pack furniture.
Delivery
Do you have any Delivery Charges?
We offer free doorstep delivery across England and Wales, with a small charge of £29.99 for deliveries to Scotland. You can contact our sales team for deliveries outside these regions and request a quote. For an additional £19.99, you can also have the product delivered to a room of your choice.
Returns
Assembly
Most white bookcases come flat-packed with instructions and fixings included. You'll need a screwdriver (electric ones save time) and possibly a hammer. Having someone to help makes the job easier, especially with taller units. Start with the frame, then add shelves and doors. Wall fixings are included with taller bookcases - use them, especially if you have children or pets. Take your time with the doors to get the hinges aligned properly.
Store Availability
You can visit our store in Leicester at the following location:
Address:
Grosvenor Works, Grosvenor Street, Leicester, LE1 3LR, UK
Working Hours
Contact Us
You are welcome to get in touch with us if you have questions before your visit.
Our showroom has white bookcases in all styles and sizes for you to see and touch before buying. We've set them up in room displays so you can picture how they'd look in your home. All the main finishes are there - gloss, painted, oak combinations and rattan - so you can compare them side by side.
Our staff know these products inside out and can help you find exactly what you need, whether it's a slim bookcase for a tight corner or a large unit for lots of books. They'll point out things you might not think about, like how much weight the shelves can take if you have heavy art books, or making sure doors can open fully in your space.
Seeing bookcases in person lets you check the quality properly - try the drawers, open and close doors, and look at how well everything's put together. This is particularly important with white furniture, where any flaws tend to show up more than with darker finishes.
The showroom displays let you see how different bookcase designs work with other furniture, too, helping you make better choices for your overall room scheme. You can bring paint swatches or fabric samples with you to check how they look against the different white finishes, which often vary more than you'd expect.
Price Range
Prices for White Bookcases range from £39 to £3009 to suit every budget with products ranging from entry-level to premium offerings.
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