12 best metal bookcases under $200 of 2025

If you have a lot of books, keeping them organized in your living room can be challenging. You need a storage solution that won’t take up too much space, but that will keep your collection neat and tidy. An accent shelf will not suffice if you want to remain on top of your reading list! These best metal bookcases under $200 are a good place to start. They are simple, reasonably priced, and very useful for making the most of a limited amount of space at a home office or elsewhere.

• Best overall: Glitzhome 4 Tier Open Bookcase Rustic Bookshelf

• Best affordable product: Circular Fir Wood Hanging Wall Shelf

• Best cheap option: Tribeca A-Frame Ladder Shelf Bookshelf

• Best performance choice: FirsTime & Co. Brody Industrial Circular Bookshelf

• Best value product: ORE International R597-5 Five Tier Metal Bookcase

1. Glitzhome 4 Tier Open Bookcase The Rustic Bookshelf

The starter on our list of the best metal bookcases under $200 is the Glitzhome 4 Tier Open Bookcase The Rustic Bookshelf. This vintage bookcase is constructed from a sturdy particle board, steel frame, and “X” metal frame backing, providing the support while enhancing its stability. You can use it to display your books, plants, and other items that give decorative accents to your space. 

Unlike other models on the market, each of its four legs has a floor protector to keep your floor from being scratched. 

What we like about this bookcase is that you can easily assemble it with detailed instructions and parts provided by the brand. 

This four-tier etagere bookcase is a fantastic space saver while giving a stunning look to your living room, bedroom, kitchen, or any other place like a home office that may need more storage space. 

Pros:

• Natural wood grain surface

• Multi-functional display Shelf

• Durability and sturdy construction

• More solid and durable for support by the reinforced X-shaped bracket

• Floor protector

• Easy assembly

Cons:

• Rusted if stored in a humid environment

2. Circular Fir wood Hanging Wall Shelf

If you want to mount a bookcase on your home's wall, the Circular Fir Wood Hanging Wall Shel is a great option among our list of best metal bookcases under $200. It is constructed from a circular iron frame, which ensures its durability. You can display your collection of ornaments on this open and etagere shelf for a clean, spacious look.  

This wall mounted shelf will complement your furnishings, whether you use it in your living room, bedroom, or hallway. It will allow your space to feel more expansive and stylish while still giving your décor a distinctive character. 

Its combination of precise lines in contrast with elegant curves creates a masterpiece for your interior space, from its practical wood shelves to its lovely iron frame. 

Pros:

• Space saving

• Modern look

• Exceptional building to safely hold your most priceless possessions

• Easy to put it together

Cons:

• No mounting screws are enclosed

• Easy to be scratched

3. Tribeca A-Frame Ladder Shelf Bookshelf

Our next recommendation for the best metal bookcases under $200 is The Tribeca Collection from Avalon Home. This sparingly-weighted steel-framed design will give your living rooms a clean aesthetic while maintaining unrestricted movement. A worn wood veneer finish evokes memories of cherished, well-used furniture passed down through the generations from an attic or forgotten nook. 

Even though this bookcase looks slim, you can store and display your books, ornaments, aesthetic objects, and office supplies on this robust Tribeca A-Frame Ladder Shelf Bookshelf and enjoy the natural attractiveness of its surface's wood-like appearance.

This ladder bookshelf is user friendly as it’s quite easy to assemble and move to other spaces.

Pros:

• Sparely-weighted steel-framed designs

• Slim but sturdy frame

• Lightweight 

• Easy to assemble and move

Cons:

• The holes for screws don't line up correctly

 4. FirsTime & Co. Brody Industrial Circular Bookshelf

Another circular hanging bookcase landed in our list of best metal bookcases under $200 is the FirsTime & Co. Brody Industrial Circular Bookshelf. It is constructed of a metal frame with a metallic gray finish that gives your room an industrial vibe. You can display your books, photos, planters, and other ornaments on this round shelf that has six compartments on three separate shelving levels. 

This wall-mounted bookshelf looks great in any area, whether it's a living space or an office, and blends well with any kind of industrial or rustic decor.

Whether you're moving into a new house or shopping for a present, if you want to make an accent in your entryway, kitchen, living room, or bathroom with a fashionable and beautiful accent piece, this bookcase is an ideal option.

Pros:

• Space saving

• Sturdy construction

• Easy to assemble

Cons:

• Easy cracking and scratches

• No mounting screws included

5. ORE International R597-5 Five Tier Metal Bookcase

The ORE International R597-5 Five Tier Metal Bookcase is one of the best metal bookcases under $200 that you should consider. This ladder shelf has plenty of shelf space on five tiered shelves so that you can arrange all of your possessions. The bars along the sides and rear of this multipurpose unit are made of black coated metal, which creates an additional robustness. This metal book rack is sturdy and lightweight enough to be moved from one place to another.

Pros:

• Lightweight 

• Easy to assemble

• Constructed of sturdy metal with a black coated finish

• No wobbling

Cons:

• Sometimes missing drilling holes on certain shelves

 1. What needs to be considered when buying a metal bookcase?

Just like you would do with any other piece of home furniture, you should think about the dimensions of the metal bookcase, the maximum amount of weight each storage shelf can hold, whether or not it has a sturdy support system, and the aesthetic you are trying to accomplish to fit your room’s design.

2. Why are metal bookcases best for a small room?

Metal bookshelves are an excellent choice for rooms that aren't very large, as they don't take up a lot of visible space. They won't make your room look too crowded and often have a design style that is quite clean and streamlined. 

Metal book storage organizers are often more sturdy than wooden bookcases and are less prone to being chewed on or climbed on by young children. This makes them an excellent choice for households that have children.

Corner metal bookcases are also great because they quickly and simply fill in those difficult-to-decorate corners in any room, allowing you to make efficient use of your available limited space.

3. Should I get a vertical or horizontal bookcase?

Depending on the space, you can use either a vertical or horizontal bookshelf.  Horizontal bookcases are designed for holding a large number of books and are generally wider than vertical bookcases, whereas vertical bookcases are better for storing things like picture frames and ornaments and come with shorter shelves. However, this isn’t to say that you can’t use a horizontal or vertical bookcase to display other items, photos, or store and organize paperwork like bills and receipts, as they can be easily filed and accessed.

4. What are the advantages of metal book storage shelves?

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty storage solution, metal storage shelves are a great choice as they are durable and can withstand a lot of weight. They can also be easily customized to fit any room or space and can be painted or stained to match your room’s aesthetic. 

Another advantage of metal storage shelves is that they’re incredibly easy to move, not easily damaged in transit, and won’t require a lot of effort to put together. You can also simply add and remove shelves from your metal storage shelves as your needs change, making them a long-term storage solution for your home.

5. Do metal bookshelves rust?

It depends. Some metal bookcases may rust if they aren’t treated or painted correctly, but high-quality steel ones won’t rust. However, if you live in an extremely humid area or have poor ventilation, you may want to treat your metal bookcase with a sealant to prevent rust. Additionally, if you live in an area where there is a lot of snowfall, snow and moisture can lead to rust on your shelves. 

So before you purchase any metal bookshelves, make sure they’re treated properly so that they won’t rust over time. You may also want to consider keeping your bookcases indoors to reduce the chance of rust.

If you need more information, our bookcase buying guide might be helpful.

Metal bookcases combine style and utility to offer a smart storage solution for small spaces. A new bookshelf with a metal frame is the ideal addition, whether you want to rearrange your industrial loft or give it a contemporary appearance. 

They can be great for storing both books and other items such as picture frames, gift cards, ornaments, and office supplies. If you want to maximize the amount of storage space in your home and are looking for an affordable storage solution, the Glitzhome 4 Tier Open Bookcase Rustic Bookshelf on our list of the best metal bookcases under $200 is a great choice for you to pick from.

Related topic: Best wood bookcases under $200