OLD-FASHIONED stand alone bookcases are being replaced by multi-purpose cabinets. (AgathaO | house of design interview for article in The Advertiser 28/09/12 by Adam Hegarty)
Interior designers say it is part of a growing trend among homeowners and decorators to streamline their furniture in various rooms, such as the kitchen and living rooms.
Interior decorator Agatha Ozhylovski, of Agatha O House of Design, says the trend is to purchase and position cabinetry so it can be used as both a bookcase and other purposes.
"The old bookcases are very much gone and we're going ... streamline," she says.
"A lot of people are starting to build kitchen cabinetry as part of living room furniture so, therefore, you're combining things" It looks fabulous, too, if you backlight it with LED light built into the actual cabinetry - so you're entertaining can turn on lights when having a nice diner party."
"It just looks absolutely fabulous while your highlighting your books."
Ms Ozhylovski says even kitchen cabinetry is becoming part of living room furniture in the same way.
She says closed doors also are a popular option for bookcases because it keeps cabinetry multi-purpose and also hides any untidyness.
"If you're got some open in between that, you can have a few books ... a few vases, " she says. "And that looks really good."
Interior designer Clare Freath says wider designs, rather then tall cabinetry akin to antique bookcases are now the norm.
"There's only really a few uses for a tall bookcase with shelves - you can store and display books and photos and things like that, she says.
"But when you have a wider ones you can fit more on there such as entertainment systems or televisions on top. When you have multi-purpose furniture it also meas your rooms have less clutter n can save you a lot of room."
Adelaide retailers are offering anything from typical tall bookcases with numerous shelves to those which also include cabinets to store other items.
TIPS on how to decorate your bookcase include:
* LED lighting can highlight the books and other items on the shelves while also providing entertainment light during dinner.
* Bookcases with closed doors and open shelves can avoid clutter by hiding untidy items.
* Combining the concept of a bookcase with other furniture is a way to save space and de-clutter a room
A HUGE thank you to Adam Hegarty
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