| In our modern, multi-media world, the idea of | | | | to less costly but still elegant shelves |
| a "bookcase" is almost quaint. The items many | | | | available at places like Pier 1 or Pottery |
| people use as bookcases are sold as | | | | Barn. The difference between them and the |
| "entertainment storage units" and can also be | | | | "entertainment storage units" is that these |
| used for CDs, DVDs and other media. These | | | | bookcases are usually made of higher quality |
| often come with adjustable shelves (to | | | | wood and have the look of a traditional |
| accommodate the variance in height between | | | | bookcase. The more expensive ones come |
| CDs and books) and are sold unassembled at | | | | already assembled and finished, but you can |
| places like Wal-Mart and Target. | | | | get very nice-looking some-assembly-required |
| | | | bookcases for a reasonable price. |
| These pre-fab storage units usually function | | | | |
| well enough as bookcases, CDs racks or | | | | Another option is having shelves built |
| knickknack holders, but they lack the | | | | directly into the walls of your home. This is |
| elegance and stateliness of the old-fashioned | | | | almost always done when the home is being |
| bookcases. They are usually made of cheaper | | | | built, though it is possible to add them |
| material, too, and are not nearly as sturdy. | | | | after the fact. Built-in shelves save space, |
| They work well if you only have a couple | | | | obviously, and are sturdier than even the |
| dozen books to display, which is common | | | | strongest freestanding bookcases. (There's no |
| today, as many consumers own far more CDs and | | | | way to knock over built-in shelves unless you |
| DVDs than books anyway. | | | | knocked the whole house over!) They are |
| | | | especially prized in small apartments or |
| If you have a large library of books, a more | | | | homes where space is otherwise at a premium. |
| traditional bookcase may be in order. The | | | | It's an option worth considering when looking |
| price range on these bookcases run the gamut, | | | | for a new home. |
| all the way from hand-crafted mahogany cases | | | | |