Carry Bookshelves Over Door

11 years ago

Hi all, my wife and I are in the final stages of planning out our rec room renovation project and would appreciate your feedback on whether we should carry the bookshelves over the door that leads to our garage as pictured. Assuming we did, we would carry over the bookshelf materials/paint to cover that small space directly to the right of the door. Btw, the empty space immediately adjacent to the ceiling is reserved for crown molding that we would be running across the entire room. Looking forward to your insight, very conflicted. I'm concerned that by stopping the shelving short of the door that it will create an awkward stop as if the wall were incomplete. Thanks.

Featured Answer

qam999

11 years ago

Kudos to you for being smart enough to tape out the whole design for approval!

As to your question, I believe that either way would be OK, but I am leaning slightly towards continuing shelves over door. Just be very careful of what you store there......rolls of paper towels would be better than, say, anvils.

And, pro tip here.....when you have a door that opens right against a wall or cabinet as you plan, it will make passage through that door feel very tight. If you could possible afford yourself even a few inches clearance there, you will appreciate it every time you go through. I recommend mocking this up with a piece of furniture so you can experience it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

Judy Mishkin
11 years ago
it depends, are you putting books in your bookshelves?

it would be ok to stop, and would make the room look a bit larger. this look could go with either filled with books or a here-and-there look of vases, picture frames, some books.

having bookcases over the door gives a fitted "book look" which looks best having books in all of the spaces. only sparse decor would look a bit odd up there.

do a houzz photo search of book shelf over door, see if how those folks fill their case matches what you have in mind for yours.
gdwright07
Original Author
11 years ago
thanks for the feedback....yes, shelves will be completely stocked with books. interested in more opinions.....
Related Professionals
Jackson Interior Designers & Decorators · Escanaba Interior Designers & Decorators · Niles Interior Designers & Decorators · Superior Interior Designers & Decorators · Liberal Interior Designers & Decorators · Carson City Interior Designers & Decorators · Dayton Architects & Building Designers · Niles Architects & Building Designers · Middletown Architects & Building Designers · Santa Maria Architects & Building Designers · Vidalia Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hartford Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Plattsburgh Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Scranton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cheyenne Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
emilyam819
11 years ago
I like it over the door.
S Reams
11 years ago
I know this picture depicts the shelving over a window, but the same principle can be applied to a door. Go for it!
telsie
11 years ago
I vote yes on shelving over the door. I like that look and I think your plan for filling the sliver to the right of the door to match the shelving will give it a nice, complete appearance.
mcbmd3
11 years ago
I am a complete fan of this concept. Do it.
PRO
Gray & Walter, Ltd.
11 years ago
I'm not sure there's a real benefit to doing so. I think you are better off stopping at the door and NOT going above the door.
dclostboy
11 years ago
I'm says no...when you add the depth, it will look unbalanced.
gdwright07
Original Author
11 years ago
wow, thanks for the feedback thus far everyone....opinion seems to be split, keep 'em coming.
sandradclark
11 years ago
I agree w/ not continuing over the other door as well as it will be seen from a different angle & may not be as pleasant. I love the idea of doing the straight-on wall. What will you be putting on the lower part of the wall? Will they be the traditional cabinets with closed doors? Keep in mind the crown will probably be seen only if applied to the front face of the cabinet, however that is okay. It will give it a finished look.
Brian Miller
11 years ago
In our old house, we installed a shelf in the kids rooms that extended all the way around the room just above the door. It was great space for displaying their prized possessions and things they did not use very often. Never once did it feel odd coming into the room. I hung them using blind L brackets on every stud. They were bolted through and I filled and painted the bolt holes. The underside and the leading edge of the shelf were painted the same color as the body of the walls, so they were pretty unobtrusive. They were pretty shallow, so not likely exactly what you're doing, but it worked well.