What a Difference a Custom Bookcase Makes
There was always something missing in our living space—the vast, bare walls and low ceiling gave it the feel of an uninspiring box. The lack of architectural interest left it feeling plain and uninviting. Each time I stared at the wall, I couldn’t help but think, "This wall needs a bookcase.”
A bookcase to ground the space, ‘beef it up’ and break up the seemingly vast expanse of blank drywall. But I worried about taking up too much floor space in an already narrow living area. The doorway to the hallway connecting the rest of the house was also very narrow and positioned at an awkward angle.
Before
Thanks to our builder Roydon (who was recommended to us by the team at Better House Painters) and his careful calculations and attention to detail, the bookcase dimensions fit perfectly in our living area, ensuring enough space between the sides of the bookcase and the doorway to the connecting hallway.
The design and construction of the bookcase were done off-site, with Roydon and his fellow builder, Cody, scribing and installing each piece at our house on installation day. One of my favourite features, suggested by Roydon, was the oak trim at the foot of the bookcase. To ensure a more sturdy construction, we opted for thicker pine for the shelving.
The guys faced a challenge because the ceiling and floor weren’t level, creating a slight gap between the top of the bookcase and the ceiling. To address this, they added decorative crown moulding along the top edges of the bookcase, enhancing its overall appearance.
Checkout the behind-the-scenes reel on Instagram:
After completing the installation, the Better House Painters team finished the interior painting. To ensure the bookcase blended seamlessly with the walls and overall interior, I opted for the same colour as the rest of the kitchen, dining and living room—Perplex by Aalto Paint.
We are thrilled with the results! The bookcase has completely transformed the open-plan space by serving as an architectural focal point and clearly defining separate zones. The living area now feels more elevated and layered, no longer an expanse of plain white walls and ceiling.
Definitely my favourite project in our renovation journey so far!
After
