42 Bookshelves Under $250 That Actually Look Expensive

Looking for the best budget-friendly bookshelf to upgrade your space? Here are 42 of the best bookshelves under $250 that look expensive. 

There is an art to online shopping.  When it comes to any purchase there are plenty of retailers that sell similar products at not so similar prices.  Because I am obsessed with getting the best deal, I'll spend hours researching products.

We went ahead and did all the heavy lifting to make sure that these bookshelves are the best prices available.  We've compared retailers and linked similar (or even the exact same!) products so that you can make the most educated decisions.

Whether you're looking to update a room or you simply need more storage, there are bookshelves on this list to fit every style.

This post is all about the best bookshelves & bookcases.

Best Bookshelves:

As you know, there are lots of options when it comes to bookshelves.  So, we've categorized by style and color to make it easy.  Do you already know you definitely want a white bookshelf? You can jump directly to that section. 

We compared over a dozen retailers and these are the main trends we discovered:

• IKEA and Amazon have the largest quantities of bookshelves to choose from and are typically the most affordable.
• Amazon and Walmart often carry the same product for different prices. Amazon has greater sizing options than Walmart. Where Walmart might just have a 3-tier, Amazon might carry the same thing in a 4- and 5-tier as well. So if you're like me and you've gotten comfortable with prime 2-day shipping, just remember it might be worth it to price check with Walmart.  
• Ashley Home Store, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, and Overstock had plenty of options, but often we could find similar styles elsewhere for less. Ashley did have the most mid century options, so if that is your style preference I would recommend looking at what they carry. 
• It is near impossible to find bookshelves for under $250 from Crate & Barrel, CB2, Pottery Barn, West Elm, Anthropologie, Apt 2B, and World Market. 
• Wayfair does have options under $250, however I wouldn't recommend their furniture.  I have bought tables, couches, chairs, nightstands and outdoor furniture from them and it is often over priced for the quality and size of the product. 

White Bookshelves

White bookshelves are classic, they match everything and there is so much you can do to add pops of color to tie it into your space.  

Price Compare:

USE THE BOLD LINKS BELOW TO PRICE COMPARE TODAY'S PRICES

• IRONCK Bookshelf - is sold as a 3-, 4-, or 5-tier on both Amazon and Walmart.  As of right now the 3- and 4-tier are cheaper on Amazon, but the 5-tier is cheaper on Walmart. 
• KALLAX with underframe - if you liked this bookshelf from IKEA, check out the Better Homes and Garden 8-Cube Organizer from Walmart. 
• AMERIWOOD Home Hayes - this bookshelf comes in white, black or grey at Walmart, and is currently cheaper than the DHP Ladder Lehigh at Ashley.  If you're wanting black check Amazon as well, theirs was recently marked down.
• IOTXY Wooden Open Shelf - Walmart sells the 100CM version that Amazon also carries.  Amazon has much more size options, but as of right now this size is cheaper at Walmart.
• MONTEGO - we compared this to Target, Overstock, and Home Depot, but Walmart and Amazon are by far the cheapest. 
• If you are looking for more bookshelves options with cabinets or drawers, check out these as well:
  • BRIMNES (IKEA)
  • HAUGA (IKEA)
  • BILLY/OXBERG (IKEA)
  • TRIBESIGNS (Walmart)

Ladder Bookshelves

The leaning ladder bookshelves are great because they give you more versality than shelves that are all the same depth. They are typically lightweight and easy to move if you want to, but make sure to check the weight rating for the shelves.

There are SO many options when it comes to ladders, there are some with drawers, some with cabinets, ones that are straight up and down and ones that lean. 

You will be able to find the style you want in the price range you want with how many retailers sell them.

Price Compare:

USE THE BOLD LINKS BELOW TO PRICE COMPARE TODAY'S PRICES

• THEO Ladder Bookshelves - multiple retailers carry the Nathan James collection. It features wall mounted ladder bookshelves as well as standing ones.  Varying from two shelves to five shelves. Be sure to price shop not only the Nathan James website, but also Amazon, Walmart, Overstock, and Home Depot.  Shipping costs may vary as well.
• MIDDLEBROOK Solid Pine - price check Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Home Depot. They all carry a brown or grey option.
• SOMERSET Home - check against Amazon's
• VECELO Ladder Bookshelf - if you like this a-shaped style then check out these:
  • HOMGARDEN (Walmart)
  • TRIBESIGNS (Amazon and Walmart)
  • CHARLIE Ladder Bookcase (Nathan James)
  • DKLGG (Amazon)

Corner Bookshelves

Corner bookshelves are great because they take up such a small amount of space that is otherwise unusable.  

In this category, Amazon did the best as far as options and price range. The other retailers carry the same or similar shelves, but are more expensive. 

As a rule of thumb, a corner bookshelf should be one of the cheaper bookshelves you buy.  So if you find a retailer selling simple designs for $150+ then I would search Amazon and Walmart instead.

Price Compare:

USE THE BOLD LINKS BELOW TO PRICE COMPARE TODAY'S PRICES

• TRIBESIGNS 5-Shelf Corner Bookshelf - price shop Walmart and Overstock, available at all retailers in white, black, and brown. 
• APICIZON 5-Tier Corner Shelf - compare to the TRIBESIGNS shelf from Walmart. 
• INVAL 71" 5-Tier Shelf - price compare to Walmart and Home Depot.

Large Bookshelves

If you have a large quantity of books or décor that you want to display, there are tons of great options. 

You can use these products to create an entire bookshelf wall, a feature wall, or even use them as room dividers in areas you wish you had more privacy. 

Price Compare:

USE THE BOLD LINKS BELOW TO PRICE COMPARE TODAY'S PRICES

• TRIBESIGNS 5-Shelf - this was discounted at the time, but there is a 6-tier shelf that is similar that was more affordable, view it on Amazon. 
• HOMFA 5-Tier Gold - check out similar designs on Amazon: NUMENN and SUPERJARE
• HOMFA Triple Wide Etagere - compare to the URNKO Triple Wide on Amazon.

Small Bookshelves

For when you don't have much you need to store it doesn't make sense to have a big piece of furniture, try these perfectly small bookshelves.  

Not only can you use them as storage, but unlike most of the other bookshelves we've covered so far, the height makes them the most versatile.  You can use them as surfaces for lamps, décor, junk mail, etc.

Price Compare:

USE THE BOLD LINKS BELOW TO PRICE COMPARE TODAY'S PRICES

• SAUDER 2-Shelf - compare to Walmart
• MAINSTAYS Framed 3-Shelf - compare to Amazon

Wood Bookshelves

Finding quality wood products for low cost takes a lot of searching.  And while many of the companies tried passing off their MDF and particle board bookshelves in the "wood" section, we sifted through and found the best in our price range. 

The IKEA HEMNES Bookshelf collection maintains 4.5/5 star reviews, and their website stated they are made of solid pine.