Choosing the right bookcase
A bookcase does more than house a book collection. In a living room, it creates a sense of permanence and personality, in a study or home office, it brings order without formality, and in a hallway, it transforms an often-underused wall into something considered and useful. The starting point is whether you need open shelving, closed storage, or a combination of both.
For those who want the warmth of a solid oak bookcase, the Henley low oak bookcase offers deep, adjustable shelves and substantial carved skirting that gives it a stately presence without demanding a large footprint. The Chichester collection spans a wider range of formats, from a low slim bookcase suited to alcoves and corners through to a tall bookcase with a tongue and groove back panel and Georgian-inspired carved skirting. The grand Chichester bookcase combines generous open shelving above with enclosed cupboard storage below, available in 3ft and 6ft widths to suit different spaces.
For a bookcase with doors in a more contemporary register, the Chawton double bookcase with sliding doors pairs adjustable open shelving with a lower section concealed behind smooth-gliding solid wood doors, inspired by the proportions of classic full-wall libraries. Many designs in the collection work across multiple rooms and purposes. The Shepton, for example, is a tall, slim glass-fronted design suited to tighter spaces where a narrow bookcase is needed, but works equally well as a kitchen cabinet, larder, or display piece. Most designs across the collection are available in a choice of paint finishes to complement existing room schemes.
Solid timber, built without shortcuts
Neptune's bookcases and storage pieces are built from solid timber throughout, with no MDF or chipboard in the construction. The oak designs, including the Henley and Chichester collections, use solid oak for surfaces, shelving, and structural elements, chosen for its strength, natural grain, and the way it improves with age and daily contact. Tulipwood is used for painted frames across the collection, a material chosen for its smooth surface and ability to carry paint well without the instability of cheaper alternatives.
The Chawton double bookcase with sliding doors is crafted from solid tulipwood and oak, with dovetail joints used in drawer construction, a traditional technique that prioritises structural integrity over quicker assembly methods. The Farlow collection features an adjustable zig-zag shelving system that allows shelf positions to be moved easily while bearing significant weight. Across the range, each piece carries Neptune's lifetime guarantee, reflecting the same founding commitment to natural materials and considered construction that runs through every Neptune collection.
