This corner near built-in shelves was the perfect place for a quiet reading area.

Although the shelves provided a lot of storage, the open shelves looked messy. Strategically placed doors banish bookshelf clutter. To determine which direction doors should open, tape paper over the shelf openings as you’re planning door placement.

We placed a mix of red plexiglass and extruded metal inserts in wood frames and secured them to the shelves with hinges. You can create nifty knobs for $1 a pop by layering washers, large wing nuts, and large hex screws.