How Do I Choose the Best Bookcase with Glass Doors?

A bookcase with glass doors can be used to protect your books and other belongings from dust and fingerprints while showing them off to guests. The variety of glass-door bookcases may be overwhelming, but considering the case's likely location and the specific use of the furniture may help you choose the best one for your situation. For example, you need to consider the material from which the bookcase is made and its color, because it should match its surroundings. You should also make sure it is large enough to hold what you need it to hold, but not too large for the room. Additionally, you should decide whether the bookcase needs glass doors along its entire face or just part of it.

The typical bookcase with glass doors is made of wood, but this does not necessarily narrow down your choices, because there are many types of wood. Consider whether you prefer light wood, such as oak, or darker wood, such as cherry. Before you choose based on personal preference alone, take into consideration where you will put the bookcase, because it should match its surroundings. On the other hand, you may choose a different material altogether, because wooden bookcases can be the costliest on the market. If you want to spend less and do not mind somewhat lighter furniture, consider a metal or plastic bookcase with glass doors — or, more likely, clear plastic doors that can pass for glass — remembering to match the color with the rest of the room.

Another detail to think about is the size of the bookcase, which means you should consider the size of the room in which it will go. A tall bookcase can overwhelm a small room and might not even fit in a house with low ceilings, while a small bookcase might not sufficiently fill up a large area. In addition, consider the items you will place inside your glass-door bookcase before you decide on the size. You can save money by buying a small bookcase if you have few books or trinkets to display, but it may be wise to buy at least a medium-sized bookcase to leave room for your collection to grow.

Even after you have finished choosing the material and size of your bookcase with glass doors, you still have a big decision to make, because the doors are a major part of this type of furniture. Some bookcases feature glass doors along the entire front, which may be ideal for a large collection of books that you want to show off. If you have small children or pets, it may be best to purchase a bookcase with glass doors only at the top and wood, metal or plastic doors on the bottom. This is because these materials tend to be more durable than glass and are less likely to be broken by someone running or falling into the doors. This option is also appealing if you have some books or items that you wish to hide from view.