What's The Difference Between A Bookcase Vs. A Bookshelf?

Nothing makes a home feel cozy and inviting quite like shelves full of your favorite books (and, admittedly, maybe a couple you're going to get around to reading, eventually). But what do you call the piece of furniture your books are sitting on? If you've been using the terms "bookshelf" and "bookcase" interchangeably, that's understandable. But as it turns out, there is a difference between the two, and it comes down to the size, storage, and support needs of each.

Bookcases are much larger than bookshelves since they're meant to store a greater (and heavier) amount of books. If your bookshelf is sagging, you might want to upgrade to this sturdier solution. Bookcases have encased ends, backing walls, and sometimes even cabinet doors that keep their contents in a confined and protected space. In contrast, bookshelves are lighter and more open; if your book-holding furniture is smaller and has no backing, it's probably a bookshelf. The distinction is most evident in the names: a bookcase is a freestanding enclosed case for books, while a bookshelf is a shelf that's sometimes non-self-supporting and requires installation.

Whether a bookshelf or bookcase is better for your space will depend on what you plan to use it for. Bookcases sometimes have doors to keep internal contents protected and less dusty. This makes them a great storage option for valuable collectibles, fragile items, or your most prized books. But unless those doors are glass, you're also making the items inside less visible. Bookshelves' openness makes for easy browsing and accessibility. If you plan to move the contents of your shelf from their place often, a bookshelf may be better. However, their openness also means your shelves will need dusting more often.

Because bookshelves are less enclosed and more versatile in their design, you're less limited in decoration options. You can even decorate your bookshelf like a mini balcony if you want to get creative! That's not to say you can't also decorate the shelves of your bookcase, but your non-book embellishments won't have extra wiggle room to protrude off the shelves, especially if your bookcase has doors.

Consider the available space of the room you're decorating, too. The freestanding nature of bookcases takes up more floor space but requires no installation. Bookshelves can often be mounted to a wall, which leaves you with maximum floor space while letting you store books and tchotchkes up higher. The drawback is you'll have to install them, which may be a no-go for decorators who don't want to drill into their walls.