The Best Small Bookcase for Pictures
Bookcases can be any size and style. They can fit into a corner or stand alone on a wall. They may have doors and drawers and may house books, or knickknacks or framed pictures. They may be custom made or purchased unfinished and unassembled. They can be of an infinite variety of sizes. The best bookcase is the one that meets your needs. It is helpful to do a bit of homework to determine the size and style of bookcase you need and to decide the number of pictures the case must hold before purchasing. Does this Spark an idea?
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How Big is the Space
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Measure the space the bookcase will occupy. Measure the width, from side to side, for the maximum number of inches of available space. From this measurement, subtract at least two inches for ease of movement of the bookcase into position. Measure the maximum height available for the bookcase. Consider light switches, alarm sensors, drapery cords and thermostats. Measure also the depth of space available. This is the distance from the front of the case to the back wall. For ease of access, there needs to be 24 inches of clear space in front of the case. Legs, feet and trim will add to the overall height of a bookcase.
Style
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Consider the overall decor style of the room. The bookcase should be of the same, or a complementary style. For example, a Swedish-style modern bookcase is not suited to a formal, traditional interior. The style also affects the functionality of the bookcase; heavy, ornate bookcases built of thick wood will house fewer pictures than modern glass-shelved cases, for example.
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How Many Pictures to Display
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Gather the pictures you wish to display and lay them out on a flat surface as they would be displayed in the bookcase. If you will overlap some pictures in the case, do that here as well. Measure the length of space the pictures will require. Measure the height of the tallest picture. This measurement will be the distance from the bottom of one shelf to the top of the shelf underneath. If you require 80 inches of display space, four shelves, each 20 inches wide, is required to accommodate all your pictures. If the shelves must be 16 inches apart, the height of the bookcase must be a minimum of 64 inches. If the space available is wider than tall, the pictures could be accommodated on two shelves of 40 inches; the bookcase would then be a minimum of 32 inches high. Consider the space available when making the determination of the number of shelves and overall height.
Custom or Pre-Made
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If the space available is specific, a custom-made bookcase may be necessary. If there is some leeway in space availability; a pre-made bookcase may be the most cost-effective option. Take the measurements of the available space, the number of picture display inches required and the determined bookcase size with you when you shop.
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References
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