Book depth
Plan around the deepest regular books first, then leave display space where objects need more breathing room.
Bookcase and bookshelf walls
Custom bookcases made to measure
Use the Mestra wall-mounted system to plan a bookcase around the width of your wall, the books you own, and the storage you want to hide.
Terminology
Bookcase, bookshelf or bookshelf wall?
People use the words differently. A bookshelf is usually the open shelf itself, while a bookcase often means a larger furniture piece that holds many shelves and may include doors or cabinets.
Mestra is useful when the wall matters more than a freestanding unit: a book wall, an alcove bookcase, a living room storage wall or a study wall where books and closed storage need to work together.
- Think about the whole wall when the project is more than a single shelf.
- Check shelf depth and clear heights around the books you actually own.
- Choose a wall-mounted layout when you want the bookcase to feel planned around the room rather than freestanding.
Planning
Start with book depth, wall width and what needs doors
A good bookcase is not only a row of shelves. It needs the right depth for books, enough clear height for larger volumes, and a plan for the objects that should not stay on open display.
Wall rhythm
Bay widths decide whether the bookcase feels calm and regular or more display-led.
Closed storage
Door cabinets and drawers can hide chargers, paperwork, games, cables and living room clutter.
Future change
Because the system is modular, the layout can be reviewed if your storage mix changes later.
Good fit
Where a Mestra bookcase works well
- Living room book walls where books, display and hidden storage need to share one layout.
- Home office or study walls that need bookshelves without a bulky freestanding unit.
- Alcoves where standard bookcases leave awkward gaps at the sides or top.
- Rooms where birch plywood feels warmer than metal shelving and more honest than imitation veneer.
Limits
Where it may not be the right bookcase
Mestra is a wall-mounted modular shelving system. It is not trying to replace every form of cabinetmaking or every freestanding bookcase.
- It is not freestanding furniture.
- It is not a no-drill or renter shelf system.
- It is not fully scribed period joinery.
- Wall type and suitable fixings still matter for every installation.
Related project types
Explore Mestra from another angle
These pages explain the same Mestra system through different room, fit and buying questions.
Modular shelving units
Understand the main Mestra system and how bays, rails, shelves and cabinets work together.
Read moreLiving room shelving
Plan a living room wall for books, display, media storage and hidden everyday clutter.
Read moreAlcove shelving
Plan shelving for a simple alcove without committing to fully scribed fitted joinery.
Read moreMade-to-measure shelving
Compare made-to-order modular shelving with standard furniture and bespoke joinery.
Read moreWall-mounted shelving units
See how the rail-based wall-mounted system works and what to consider before installing.
Read moreAdjustable shelves
Learn how adjustable shelf positions work inside the Mestra wall-mounted rail system.
Read moreBespoke shelving alternative
Work out when Mestra is enough, and when full bespoke joinery is the better route.
Read moreNorfolk shelving
Plan made-to-measure shelving with a Norfolk-based team that works from your room measurements.
Read moreFAQ
Practical questions
Short answers on fit, installation and what Mestra is not trying to be.
Can Mestra be used as a made-to-measure bookcase?
Yes, when a wall-mounted system is suitable for the room. Mestra can combine open shelves with drawers or door cabinets, so it can work as a bookcase wall rather than only a single bookshelf.
Can I add doors to a bookcase layout?
Yes. Door cabinets and drawer cabinets can sit within the same modular layout as open shelves.
Is this a bespoke bookcase?
Mestra is made to measure, but it is not fully bespoke joinery. It uses a modular wall-mounted system with configurable bays, shelves, drawers and cabinets.
Can Mestra make a bookcase in Norfolk?
Mestra is based in Norwich, Norfolk, and makes shelving in Norfolk. Use the configurator or quote form to start with the wall and layout you have in mind.
Plan the bookcase around your wall.
Open the configurator to test bay widths, shelves, drawers and door cabinets before committing to the layout.
Design your bookcase