Whether it’s for a sprawling classic book collection, a scented candle obsession or a pile of odds and ends you can’t bring yourself to get rid of — we’re all always trying to find creative ways to store our stuff. We know what Marie Kondo would say about our borderline-hoarding habits but no matter how hard we try, we can’t bring ourselves to be minimalist. And you know what? That’s okay.
Rather than getting rid of the stuff you don’t have space to store, it’s time to get creative about where your belongings live in your home, and use up the space you have sitting right in front of you. Ladder bookshelves use up vertical space in your home without taking up any nearly any floor space and look great while doing it. They’re a simple item of furniture that will blend in and compliment a wide range of decor without adding clutter or bulk to a room. Whether you need it for all those summer reads you have yet to get to or need to clear off your bathroom counter and find another system once and for all — these are the best ladder bookcases for getting the job done.
1. VASAGLE Industrial 4-Tier Ladder Bookcase
BEST OVERALL
This ladder bookcase has a sleek, stylish design with a classic rustic brown color scheme and a secure construction you can rely on. It has four tiers of open shelves that give you plenty of space without taking up more space in your home than needed, and it comes with anti-toppling anchors you can attach to the wall for extra security. It has a sturdy metal frame as well as durable chipboard for the shelving. The crossbar built into the back of each shelf also helps with stability, and there are protective caps on the bottom of each leg to protect your floor and give each foot more grip. The vintage shelving is complimented by the industrial style black matte frame that’ll match your neutral living room, bathroom or kitchen. Make it your own with decorative knick knacks, plants and plenty of books.
Related Stories
2. Ameriwood Home Hayes 4 Shelf Ladder Bookcase
RUNNER UP
This ladder bookcase comes in a set of two shelves that you can pair together or place in different places in your home for a creative and stylish storage solution. Each ladder-style bookcase has four shelves with plenty of room for books, office supplies, cooking utensils or board games. This ladder bookcase has a powder-coated metal frame with a light gray finish that’ll compliment the decor in any room of your home and the shelf comes with foot caps to protect your floors from scuffs and scratches. There’s also a wall anchor you can attach to the back to secure it from falling over.
3. Contemporary Cappuccino Leaning Bookcase
BEST SPLURGE
This ladder bookcase is situated on top of a set of drawers for even more storage in addition to the shelves themselves. This ladder bookcase and drawer set has a cappuccino finish that’ll match a wide range of decors with the darker tones and silver handles. You can store items that are less pleasing to the eye down below and display your coffee table books, plants, candles and photographs up above. It has a modern feel with a simple design that has a slanted, stable design. There is also a usable surface on top of the drawers for larger, heavier items.
4. 55 in. Antique Oak Wood 5-Shelf Ladder Bookcase
BEST WOODEN DESIGN
This beautiful ladder bookcase has an antique wood finish that shines and offers that classic yet contemporary look you want from a homey bookshelf. It has five tiers with plenty of storage but sits relatively low to the ground so it offers a bit more stability than other, taller options. It’s solid wood and is easy to clean with just a wipe of wood cleaner. The shelves vary in size and decrease as you travel up the shelf, and the design of the feet creates even more stability with a wider base.
5. HOMFA Metal 4-Shelf Ladder Bookcase
BEST METAL DESIGN
If you’re looking for a sturdy, simple, polished metal ladder bookcase design this is a great option. It’s made of high-quality iron that’s non-toxic and has been treated with a surface paint treatment for stylistic purposes. This rack gives off a solid, practical vibe with the trapezoid construction, mesh shelves and very simple assembly. It can support up to 66lbs of evenly-distributed weight and the feet are adjustable so you can keep the unit balanced. It also comes with protection pads built into the back to prevent scratches on your walls.
6. MyGift Wall-Leaning Rustic Gray Ladder Shelf
SIMPLEST DESIGN
This is a bit of a deviation from the bookcase specifically, but this simple wooden ladder shelf is a great storage option for your bathroom or hallway if you want something classic. It’s great for hanging towels, blankets or holding your toiletries if counter space is sparse. The best part about this shelf? No installation is required and you can easily move it between rooms if you need to. It comes in a rustic gray color with a white finish.
7. Tangkula Corner 5-Tier Ladder Bookcase
BEST CORNER DESIGN
Optimize this vertical storage solution even more with a corner design, like this one from Tangkula. It has five tiers of open shelves that are fan-shaped to make full use of the space and each shelf is a slightly different size, starting small and expanding towards the bottom. The frame is made of solid MDF board and has a stable triangular A-shaped structure that’ll fit well in most corners and hold snug to the wall. It’s painted with a white finish and will blend in with a variety of décor styles.
8. Homfa Industrial Ladder Bookcase
EASIEST TO ASSEMBLE
The assembly for this stylish, stable bookshelf takes less than 30 minutes thanks to their incredibly detailed instructions and clearly defined parts. It’s also easy to mount to the wall for safety once you’re done and all it takes is a wet cloth to wipe off the water-proof shelves when they’re dirty or dusty. It’s made of high-quality, stable particle board and square steel tube that looks sleek and can hold heavy weight with ease. It has a retro, minimalist design that’s suitable for a variety of rooms in your home, and the sloping design will look effortless while also being bolted to the wall.
9. Farmhouse Brown Solid Wood 4-Shelf Ladder Bookshelf
BEST DESIGN
This farmhouse wood ladder bookcase from Manor Park has a rustic, wooden design and comes in two different beautiful colors including brown (pictured below) and gray. It’s made of high-quality pine wood and has a metal X on the back for better structural integrity and stability. It has four fixed shelves and angled legs that lean up against the wall. The wood is stain-finished and it comes ready to assemble with easy-to-follow instructions.
10. Nathan James Theo 5-Shelf Ladder Bookcase
MOST STABLE
This 5-shelf ladder bookcase from Nathan James stands straight up, rather than leans, and bolts directly to the wall for ultimate stability. It only takes 20 minutes to assemble and comes with everything you need to get the job done. It has an attractive, minimalist design and is made with a durable metal frame, and oak-laminated reclaimed wood that gives it a vintage look. Each shelf can carry up to 50 lbs and with the variety of color choices you’re bound to find a shelf (or two!) that fits perfectly in your space.