If you need a piece of accent furniture to finish off a room, consider adding a bookcase. Bookcases can add drama as well as height to a room. A bookcase is an efficient storage solution that can be used to neatly display all of types of books and knickknacks.

Because bookcases can be used for storage and to display items, they are considered very practical furniture pieces. But just because they are practical doesn't mean they lack style and elegance. In fact, a wooden bookcase can impart an instant sense of sophistication to the existing decorum of a room.

Select a bookcase made out of a light wood to give a room a causal and airy feel. Better yet, find one that is constructed out of unfinished wood and paint it white. For a more formal look, add a cherry bookcase to the space.

If there is not enough space in the room to accommodate a huge bookcase, don't worry. The same effect can be accomplished by placing several small bookshelves throughout the room. For instance, you could set a small corner bookshelf in a hallway or in an unused alcove or nook.

Another option for small spaces is to attach several bookshelves to walls. For optimal storage or display space, go for the standard rectangular free-standing shelves. To showcase just a few collectibles or photographs, smaller, ornamental shelves could be hung on the wall at various heights in several small groupings.