Looking for a simple bookcase hack? This is one of the easiest ways to update a bookcase in minutes. Here’s the step-by-step.
// white spindle chair // white spindle table // blue and white rug //
When I made over the office in 2023 and added a little blue and white?
I lined the walls with these bookcases from IKEA.
Whenever I share the office, everyone always asks me about them.
The bookcases come as individual units, and I added the doors and the extra extenders on the very top with doors as well. They are so affordable and the best option that I’ve found for bookcases that look like built-ins.
I went shopping at thrift stores for blue books and filled the bookcases and decorated them and used organizers to keep everything organized behind the doors at the bottom of the bookcases.
But now?
It’s 2026.
I thought it might be fun to update the bookcases just a little.
Nothing fancy.
Nothing extravagant.
But a simple, easy bookcase hack that you can use to instantly update your bookcases.
Here’s a view of the other side of the room.
There are six bookcases in all with extenders on them.
This is the view from my desk that I look at every single day.
Sometimes when I’m on a call? I mentally redecorate the bookcases and rearrange everything.
Here’s a close-up of the shelves behind the glass and with the doors open.
The styling is simple.
Easy.
Basic.
But I wanted to update it a little. So I searched for bookcase decorating ideas and found this simple idea.
And now?
It looks like THIS.
CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE HOW CUTE IT IS?
All I did was slant the shelves and add these book rails.
That’s IT.
Want to see how easy it is?
This Simple Bookcase Hack
supplies:
adjustable shelving
long brass handles
So for this hack to work.
You’ll only need two things.
Adjustable shelving and these long brass handles.
You can get the brass handles here.
Step 1: Move the metal prongs
You can see here that the shelves in these bookcases are adjustable.
I removed the shelf so you could see the little metal prongs that the shelf sits on.
You can move them up and down to adjust the height of your shelves in the bookcases.
You can see how I adjusted the prongs here.
There are three spaces between the prong in the front and the prong in the back.
This seemed to be the perfect height for the shelf to slant.
Step 2: Place the bookshelf at a slant
It’s important to note that the IKEA boards you use for the shelves have holes where the prongs fit into.
When you slant the bookcase, the holes help keep the bookcase in place.
If you don’t have holes like these, you may want to drill them to help keep the slant in place.
Adjust the metal prongs to make sure you have the slant you want.
// brass handles //
3. Add the metal handles to the front
Remove the shelf from the bookshelf.
Attach the brass handles to the shelf (the kit comes with hardware to attach them).
Place the shelf back into the bookshelf at a slant.
Now you are ready to display your books.
// brass handles //
4. Display books
Open up some books at display on the shelf.
It would be amazing if you had an antique book with colorful illustrations.
I’m going to be on the lookout for one, but for now, I just displayed my own books I’ve written.
That’s it.
// white spindle table // blue and white rug //
// white spindle chair // blue and white rug //
// blue and white rug //
// mini blue and white ginger jars //
// mini blue and white ginger jars // potted peony //
// white spindle chair // white spindle table // blue and white rug //
// white spindle chair //
// brass handles //
If you have bookcases with adjustable shelving?
This is the simple bookcase hack for you.
It only took me about 15 minutes from start to finish.
No more rearranging the bookcases in my mind.
Because the view from my desk is so much fancier. 🙂
PS So what do you think? Do you think you’ll try it? Any questions?
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.
Heads up — This is inspiring — I’m excited to try it out. Saving it.