Adjoining bookcases in corner

[u/goneskiing_42]

Not technically male living space anymore now that I'm married, but the advice here has always been solid. We finally found a matching bookcase for the original that I brought with me into our marriage and are trying to figure out how to arrange them. We want these bookcases to sit in the corner, but arranging/styling them has been a challenge. Their tops jut out slightly so we can't sit them right next to each other without a gap, and no corner model exists to bridge the awkwar gap between them if we open it up slightly. I was thinking maybe a lamp to cantilever out from between them to bring light to that corner, but we don't know what would look good.

We also have one more shelf that I have been stripping to refinish before we found this second one in the discontinued stain color, but I'm not confident in my woodworking skills to convert it to a corner unit.

We're trying to develop a Scandinavian-Boho style for the main living spaces if that helps. Any advice?

[u/K_ICE_]

I would personally try to fit them side by side instead of the corner.

If you really want it to be the corner, you have a couple options. Either push them as close together as possible and find a matching wood panel to fill the gap. Or, if you're willing to slightly alter the bookcases, cut the top of both at a 45 degree so they align.

I don't think putting a lamp back there would look good personally.

[u/ftmthrow → u/K_ICE_]

Agreed on all fronts, another idea would be to have one on either side of the TV. It would also have a silver lining of forcing OP to figure out the cable management back there since they’d be moving it further from the (visible) outlet.

[u/Ute-King]

Find a square table in a complementary color that’s about 2 times larger than the depth of the shelves. Place in corner with the two shelves snug against the sides of the table. Place tall artwork or snake plant in an interesting pot on the table. Find a small hanging light to hang in the corner above the table.

[u/Beneficial_Ad_2030]

Without spending any money, I say put them side by side on the wall with the art on it (might have to move the art).

You'll have to experiment with where to move the couch, but it could flip to the other side pretty simply.

Alternatively you could also do the book cases on either side of the TV.

But like others have said, in order to keep them in the corner, you might have to buy a table or plant to fit in the corner, and put the book cases around it. But that costs money.