Maximizing Space in Eye-Catching Style: 20 Smart Built-In Shelves Around Doorway

We are always on the lookout for ideas that maximize space and this often means going beyond just the usual ideas and making most of the vertical space on offer. Thinking vertical is the perfect way to create shelf space in small urban homes where every inch matters. Today we turn our attention to that forgotten area around the lovely doorway – a space that is often blank and white. You would be surprised to know that even this little area can be used beautifully by placing shelves that can provide some much needed storage area along with creating cool displays. This is a look at the best built-in shelves wrapped around the doorway.

Custom built-in bookshelves around the bedroom doorway make a big visual impact [From: KK Design Koncepts]

Shelves around the doorway offer much more than just functionality. They can create cool focal points and turn any room into a small library of sorts that helps store your budding book collection. From those in the kitchen and dining room to ones in the home office and bedroom, here are 20 best rooms with shelves around the doorway and tips on how you can embrace the look.

Shelves that Create a Contrast

You can use the shelves around the doorway to do much more than just add additional storage and display space. Using shelves in color that is different from the colors of the wall in the room can turn the doorway into an eye-catching focal point and give it a distinct identity. In a room with white walls, it is black that is often the most preferred choice while colors like blue and pastel green are also a popular choice in modern and contemporary spaces. Shelves often extend all the way up to the ceiling in here unless you have vaulted ceilings where shelves can level out well below.

French walnut shelves around the doorway along with red walls shape a classic reading room

Modern industrial style kitchen with large glass doors and bookshelves in black around it [From: clé tile]

Modern living room with vaulted ceiling and bookshelves in black

Modern Mediterranean interior with a hint of color and gorgeous decorative pieces

Dark and dashing doorway created using black open shelves wrapped around it [From: Blakes London]

Doorway with built-in shelves around it delineates the kitchen and the doorway

Custom Solutions for Every Room

Open plan living spaces are increasingly becoming the norm in homes across the globe and shelves around the doorway are a great way to delineate spaces while adding functionality. In some rooms you can place shelves on a larger scale fashion because of the available space while in other areas narrow shelves that can hold decorative pieces are the ideal option. You can also combine shelves on the upper level with cabinets below to usher in best of both worlds!

Finding space around the doorway for gorgeous shelving along with fabulous lighting

Integrating the shelves around the doorway into the overall design of the room [From: Blakes London]

Multi-level living room library wall in white steals the show in this house

Music room of the house with smart and simple shelves that wrap themselves around the doorway [From: Your Favorite Room By Cathy Zaeske]

Slim and open shelves around the doorway in the kitchen offer some much needed storage space [From: Lauren Rubin Architecture]

Bookshelf that wraps itself around the doorway helps create a lovely wall of books in the living room with ample natural light [From: MMM Architects]

Bookshelves around the doorway work well in the classic living room as well

Create a Library Anywhere

Shelves around the doorway are the easiest way to shape a home library of sorts without committing to the idea fully. Even in the home office, a wall of shelves gives you all the space needed to place the many files and accessories that you have all around. Any room from the living room to the kitchen, the bedroom to the home office can be turned into a library setting suing this innovative idea. Pick shelves that meet your specific needs and do not go overboard by filling the entire wall with shelving that is not going to be put to use.

Combining the open white shelves with closed cabinets around the doorway in the home office [From: Pure Interior Design by Stine Hollesen]

Let the shelves around the doorway extend to other walls in the open family room with fireplace [From: Crisp Architects]

Shelves wrapped around the doorway are a smart and space-savvy idea in the modern home office [From: Colin Smith Architecture]

White and wood home office with bookshelf wrapped around the doorway

Bookshelves add ombre style to the beautiful dining room and kitchen

Colorful eclectic living room of New York home with shelves wrapped around the doorway

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