Bookcases buying guide

A bookcase is a very common item of furniture in homes through the UK. Easily characterised by their horizontal shelves, stacked and pressed against the wall. Bookcases are available in many different styles, sizes, designs and price ranges and can be used in various different rooms in the home.

Bookcases are also commonly referred to as a bookshelf, this term is perhaps most akin to the nature of the product as it is characterised by the layer of shelves that are placed horizontally into the casing. A bookcase will either be an open faced shelving unit that will allow easy access to the books and magazines or be accompanied by a protective glass door that will help to preserve your literary items from any dust or sticky fingers! Depending on the size and weight of your bookcase it may need to be attached to the wall with screws in order to ensure that the bookcase remains upright without any danger of it toppling over after a slight nudge from a pet or young child. Bookcases often have variable sized shelving units in which each individual shelf can be removed and raised or lowered depending of the height of your books, this is a fantastic characteristic of the bookshelf as it helps to create a sense of versatility to the product.



Bookcases were originally brought into existence in order to protect precious books. A key reason for this was because traditionally, books were written by hand and so weren’t available in the vast quantities that we are offered today. Once again, bookcases were only really held by the rich and supposedly ‘elite’ section of the population, as the ability to read or even afford books was relatively rare. It wasn’t until centuries later when the printing of books was introduced that reading became a more popular past time and thus books a more common feature in the average home. Even with this rise in new technology for printing books, bookcases became the main way in which to store books in both libraries and in the home. The fact that this is still the preferred storage device for books today is testament to the simple yet effective composition of this shelving unit.

We offer a choice selection of bed linen made from a range of materials from everyday quality to luxuriously smooth and silky premium quality. The difference in weight and feel comes from a combination of factors including fibre type, fibre length and the manner in which those fibres have been woven together.

  • A bookshelf basically does what it says on the tin. It is an orderly way in which to store books whilst keeping them easily accessible and on display to any guests that may wish to borrow a literary work. A bookcase is one of those items that may not be so ornately fashioned that it strikes you as beautiful when you first enter a room but you will definitely notice the true benefits of the product as you build up your book collection. A bookcase can also be used to store other items either in small boxes that slot easily into one of your shelving sections or stacked up to save space. Nowadays, bookshelves are often also used as a way to display decorative items such as a photo frame or ornamental flowers.
  • A bookcase can be as plain or as stylish as you desire. If you crave a simple and rustic style to your shelving unit then an easy way to achieve this look is through placing a clean and smooth piece of wood onto a couple of bricks placed at either end of the plank, this is then stacked above the previous layer as high as you require. However, this option is not a suitable choice for all. For example, if you have young children running around the house this style of shelving might not be the most secure and so is not a recommended option for families or homes with pets. If you crave a touch more style and sophistication then here at Dunelm Mill we have a wide range of sturdy wooden bookcases that will help to stay in keeping with your room’s decor whilst also bringing a splash class and order to your home.
  • The term Percale refers to the weave of the fabric, not the material type. Percale fabric is a closely woven plain-weave fabric with a minimum thread count of 180 threads per square inch. This style of fabric is very common in bed sheets due to its hardwearing nature. Percale fabric is a favoured material for bed linen sets as it washes well and is available in a range of colours and patterns. Percale fabric was originall-bedlineny imported from India and manufactured in France. Today this fabric can be seen in many homes around the UK, highlighting the popularity and long standing quality of the product.
  • Sateen bed linen is usuall-bedlineny made of 100% cotton with an additional sheen creating a lustrous surface with a soft feel, the perfect material for a quality night’s sleep. The material’s sheen is created by using a product specific weaving method. Sateen fabric has a lot to offer with its wide range of colours and patterns, however it is often considered to be a less hardwearing fabric than other materials such as Percale. The reason for this is the softness and silkiness of the product often means that the cleaning process needs to be slightly gentler than that of other more durable fabrics.
  • This type of textile manufacturing was created in order to create a range of complex patterns such as damask. Jacquard bed linen is characterised by a raised design or pattern which is woven into the fabric. It is important to note that here at Dunelm Mill we don’t measure our jacquard fabric with a thread count as this could be under or overstated dependant on different parts of the design. This style of bed linen is often found in traditional and classic bedrooms. The intricate patterns are neatly woven into the fabric emitting a remarkable regal high sheen. Luxurious detail can then be added around the edges of the material to perfect the overall-bedlinen classic look of the product.
  • The Damask fabric process is commonly used to create single coloured silk weave which feature specific patterns or designs. The damask fabric is unique. A key element to this fabric is that it creates a light reflected weave that changes colour and brightness depending on how the light hits the product. This type of textile weave is also common in household items such as tablecloths due to the unique and high quality characteristics of the material. This type of textile is very popular today and is another example of a woven fabric that has stood the test of time. Damask cloth was first introduced to France in the mid 14th century and has been used to make bed linen sets throughout Europe ever since.
  • Flannel is often made from cotton, synthetic fibre or wool and is characterised by its soft woven fabric. There are 3 main types of flannel available on the market, the main one being flannelette which is traditionall-bedlineny composed of cotton weaves. Other types of flannel fabric include cotton flannel and diaper flannel. all-bedlinen 3 types of flannel fabric are weaved in either a twill or plain format and are available in an array of colours and patterns. Our beautiful range of flannelette bed linen is made from 100% cotton with a slightly plumper and fluffier appearance than other fabrics. This cosy fabric is very practical as it acts as a form of insulation keeping you warmer on cooler nights.
  • The name of this material is based on the fabric’s place of origin, Jersey in the Channel Islands. Jersey material is a woven fabric that was traditionall-bedlineny made from wool. Currently, it is more common to get fabrics that are made from a mixture of textiles such as cotton, synthetic fibres and wool. This fabric is an ideal choice for nursery bedding as it is extremely supple, soft and absorbent cotton. Also, the loose knit fabric style of the material will ensure that your child stays at the perfect temperature whilst also looking very stylish in the nursery.
  • Bedspreads are similar to duvets in many ways. The basic connection being the principal function of a bedspread is to add an extra layer of warmth to your bed. The bedspread also shares key characteristics with blankets or throws as they not only provide warmth but they also act as a fashion accessory bring a splash of colour and texture to your room.

  • Nursery Bedding
    Fitted cot sheets have elastic corners to fit snugly over your cot mattress. They are quick and easy to fit and won’t become ruffled easily. Here at Dunelm Mill our beautiful nursery bedding range is available in comfortable jersey or cosy flannelette.


    Children's bedding
    Here at Dunelm Mill we pride ourselves on the quality and ease of use of our Children’s bedding collection. We understand that when it comes to children’s bed linen durability is a key aspect and that is why our products are machine washable. Our range of children's bedding is available in a range of vibrant colours and fun designs. We have tailor-made our children’s bedding designs to complement our extensive range of curtains, rugs and accessories, making their room a special place of their own.

Bookcases themselves are not a hard product to clean and care for, the only slightly tricky part is when all of your books and other items need removing in order to properly dust the whole unit. However, if in doubt each of our bookshelves are accompanied by individual product specific care instructions that will help to keep your product looking great for years to come.

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