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For a built-in bookshelf, always choose high-quality furniture-grade wood. Softer woods, like pine, and particle boards like MDF can sag under the weight of heavy books. Ideally, your shelves should hold 20 to 40 pounds per foot, so opt for scratch-resistant hardwood plywood or solid wood. Popular options include mahogany, cherry, koa, maple, oak, walnut, birch, and cedar.

Your built-in bookshelves should seamlessly blend into your space. Often, this means floor-to-ceiling units ending at a natural cutoff point like a door. You might also consider creating a custom corner unit or suspended units hung at eye level. If you're installing a prefabricated unit, you'll find sizes ranging from 24 to 48 inches wide, 10 to 12 inches deep, and 5 to 6 feet tall.

The installation time for built-in bookshelves depends on the complexity of the design, the size of the shelves, and the level of customization. A contractor can install a simple, prefabricated unit in a few hours, while an elaborate, custom unit could take up to a week. Installing add-ons like lighting could also extend the installation process.