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10 Best Bookends UK 2024

Bookends are a practical means of keeping your books in their rightful place - stored upright on your bookshelf - but they're also a great way of jazzing up your home's decor. Nowadays, there's a bookend to suit pretty much every interior, whether you're after traditional vintage oak or stainless steel bookends with a more contemporary design.


In this buying guide, we'll show you how to find bookends that look fantastic while they prevent your books from sliding all over the place. We'll then count down ten of the best bookends available from online stores like Amazon, John Lewis and Argos. Read on for our top tips on how to choose the perfect bookends for your home.

Last updated 26/03/2024
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Table of Contents

How to Choose Bookends in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Pick Bookends Made From a Material That Matches Your Room's Aesthetic
  2. Establish Whether You'd Prefer Heavy-Duty, or to Save Space
  3. Decide if You're Looking for a Single Bookend or a Pair
1

Decide Between Robust Marble, Sturdy Stainless Steel and Rustic Wood, Depending on the Room’s Aesthetic

Decide Between Robust Marble, Sturdy Stainless Steel and Rustic Wood, Depending on the Room’s Aesthetic


Perhaps more than anything else, it's a bookend's materials that establish its sense of style. Take marble, for example. It's a weighty material, highly effective at keeping even the bulkiest of tomes in their place. It's also smooth and looks incredibly sophisticated — there's a reason that marble has been popular for thousands of years!


Bookends made from metal are also popular. Stainless steel, for example, offers a polished, clean look and is weighty enough to hold most books in place. On the other hand, pewter's mix of metals brings about a uniquely silver-like finish. It's also easily moulded into all sorts of shapes, so you're guaranteed to find a bookend that reflects your personality.


Then there are wooden bookends. The advantage of wooden bookends is that they're virtually limitless when it comes to their designs. They tend to be quite large, though, in order to compensate for their lightness. They do, however, have a beautiful traditional look. The same is true of bamboo bookends, which, while not as vintage-looking as their wooden counterparts, possess a beautiful, smooth finish.

2

Select Slim Bookends if You Need to Save Space, or Go For a Weighted Design to Secure a Heavy Stack of Books

Select Slim Bookends if You Need to Save Space, or Go For a Weighted Design to Secure a Heavy Stack of Books

For the most part, you can place bookends into one of two groups - slim or weighted. Both better suit specific needs, and that's why it's essential that you make the right choice.


A slim bookend sits flush against the end of your row of books with a metal bracket that slides underneath them and keeps it in place. If you're looking to save space, they're a fantastic choice, sticking out no further than your last book. Their downside is their weight, as they rarely weigh more than 200g. However, unless you've got a shelf full of Stephen King novels, they should be more than up to the task.


Weighted bookends are the exact opposite. They're guaranteed to keep everything in place, from Baudelaire to The Bible! However, they do require extra space, and you'll need to ensure that your shelf can handle the weight!

3

Check if the Bookend Works Solo or Comes as a Set of Two

Check if the Bookend Works Solo or Comes as a Set of Two

The clue's in the name — we use the plural 'bookends' far more than the word 'bookend', and you'll find that bookends almost always come in twos. Even if you only need one, manufacturers usually expect that the next shelf down could do with something similar, and so a pair of bookends usually makes sense.


However, not all bookends come as a pair, and many of the more high-end offerings are purchased one by one. Individual bookends are great news for people with a single bookshelf but could be disappointing for those with more extensive libraries that forget to check before buying!


There's also the hybrid 'expanding' bookend. A single unit that nevertheless features two bookends, it can be stretched to accommodate your ever-growing bookshelf. It doesn't quite possess the traditional look of a pair of bookends, but it's great for keeping your books in place.

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10 Best Bookends in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Royal Selangor

Teddy Bears' Picnic Bookends

Royal Selangor Teddy Bears' Picnic Bookends 1

£119.00

High

For Books That Deserve Only the Best

2

Alessi

Cat Bookend

Alessi Cat Bookend 1

£48.00

High Mid

A Designer Bookend Made From Stainless Steel

3

FossilStone

Marble Wedge Bookends

FossilStone Marble Wedge Bookends 1

£28.95

High Mid

Weighty Marble Bookends That Are Perfect for Protecting Heavy Tomes

4

Beatrix Potter

Peter Rabbit Bookends

Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit Bookends 1

£18.99

Mid

Peter Rabbit's Mischievous World of Wonder

5

Chenhaolili

Tree of Life Bookend

Chenhaolili Tree of Life Bookend 1

£13.99

Low Mid

Bringing the Tree of Life Onto Your Shelf

6

Sass and Belle

Day Dreams Bookends

Sass and Belle Day Dreams Bookends 1

£11.85

Low Mid

Cute Bookends That Kids Will Love

7

Daruite

Expanding bookend

Daruite Expanding bookend 1

£14.29

Mid

An Expanding Metal Bookends That's Ideal for the Office

8

Habitat

Living Luxe Lion Bookends

Habitat Living Luxe Lion Bookends 1

£18.00

Mid

A Pair of Proud Lions to Watch Over Your Books

9

Acrimet

Red Metal Bookends

Acrimet Red Metal Bookends 1

£10.90

Low Mid

Colourful, Contemporary Bookends With an Anti-slip Base

10

XGOPTS

Bamboo Bookend

XGOPTS Bamboo Bookend 1

£11.82

Low Mid

Simple, Slim Bamboo Bookends

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Royal SelangorTeddy Bears' Picnic Bookends

Teddy Bears' Picnic Bookends 1
Source:johnlewis.com
Teddy Bears' Picnic Bookends 2
Source:johnlewis.com
Reference price
£119.00
High
Reference price
£119.00
High

For Books That Deserve Only the Best

Founded in 1885, Royal Selangor is a world-renowned brand producing some of the finest pewter products in existence. This pair of cast pewter teddy bear bookends are, simply put, the benchmark of what bookends can represent.


The intricate nature of the design needs to be touched to be believed, with the details and textures of each book, stool and bear coming to the fore through the hand-finished craftsmanship. A truly remarkable pair for that special set of books!

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No.2

AlessiCat Bookend

Reference price
£48.00
High Mid

A Designer Bookend Made From Stainless Steel

This is the kind of premium stainless steel bookend that's desirably inconspicuous yet striking when spotted. The curious cat is fashioned with bold curves to create a warm and welcoming feeling that's designed to entice. 


This style-focused bookend comes as a standalone piece rather than a pair, making it best suited for use inside a bookcase or to prop books against a wall. Although a bit pricier, it will fit right into a contemporary home where no expense has been spared.

No.3

FossilStoneMarble Wedge Bookends

Marble Wedge Bookends 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Marble Wedge Bookends 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£28.95
High Mid
Reference price
£28.95
High Mid

Weighty Marble Bookends That Are Perfect for Protecting Heavy Tomes

FossilStone have made no mistakes with this heavy-set marble pair. At a commendable 2.1 kg per bookend, they're the kind of bookends that will stand up against even the weightiest encyclopaedia. 


The earthy tones of the all-natural swirled marble are cut into a wedge, giving it the security and stability of a doorstop. Overall, they're a stylish pair to envelop your ever-growing shelves with some serious authority.

No.4

Beatrix PotterPeter Rabbit Bookends

Reference price
£18.99
Mid

Peter Rabbit's Mischievous World of Wonder

This Peter Rabbit pair from the world of Beatrix Potter is a clear cut above in terms of build quality. They sport a detailed design with an illustration of Peter Rabbit frolicking with hovering bees and butterflies and a few thoughtful words.


This pair of wooden bookends are a delightful match made in heaven. Tuck your child's books between the two to help them learn the magic of reading in a fun and interactive way. 

No.5

ChenhaoliliTree of Life Bookend

Tree of Life Bookend 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Tree of Life Bookend 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£13.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£13.99
Low Mid

Bringing the Tree of Life Onto Your Shelf

This is another pair of bookends that are slim by design. The intricate tree of life makes for an appealing feature, with the visible roots creating the illusion of hovering in mid-air.


They're actually quite weighty at 350 g per bookend, especially considering their slim iron construction. This is a popular, modern pair of bookends with a spiritual emphasis on the importance of reading. 

No.6

Sass and BelleDay Dreams Bookends

Day Dreams Bookends 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£11.85
Low Mid
Reference price
£11.85
Low Mid

Cute Bookends That Kids Will Love

Sass and Belle have a kid-focused range of bookends that are too adorable to miss! Their sky-themed pair features a duo of sleeping and bright-eyed clouds set against a rainbow backdrop; surely it doesn't get any cuter than that?


This commitment to the cute makes them the perfect pair for propping up favourite bedtime stories in a child's bedroom or nursery. The only slight note of concern is that some reviewers have commented on the build quality of these bookends, but considering the price, you can't expect perfection. 

No.7

DaruiteExpanding bookend

Expanding bookend 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Expanding bookend 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£14.29
Mid
Reference price
£14.29
Mid

An Expanding Metal Bookends That's Ideal for the Office

Daruite has dared to be different with this bookend that comes as a single piece. It's still essentially a pair of bookends, but the difference lies in the expanding lattice, which creates a fixed level of book security. 


A practical bookend for the modern office where organisation is key, the two dividers ensure some law and order amongst your line of books. Unfortunately, however good its organisational skills are, it lacks any flair or style, making it the fun police of the bookend world. 

No.8

HabitatLiving Luxe Lion Bookends

Living Luxe Lion Bookends 1
Source:argos.co.uk
Reference price
£18.00
Mid
Reference price
£18.00
Mid

A Pair of Proud Lions to Watch Over Your Books

The symbolism of the almighty lion is certainly not lost with this proud pair of watchful bookends. Their weighted design sees them hitting the 1 kg mark per bookend, which is plenty of weight to prevent most books from slipping to their fate. 


The silver finish is matched perfectly against the lavish sense of royalty that these lions represent. Modelled after the luxurious interiors of old, this pair is best suited to a home that doesn't hide its sense of antique opulence.

No.9

AcrimetRed Metal Bookends

Red Metal Bookends 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Red Metal Bookends 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£10.90
Low Mid
Reference price
£10.90
Low Mid

Colourful, Contemporary Bookends With an Anti-slip Base

Sometimes it's the little things that make an item pop, and this pair of red bookends have got that special something in spades! Here is a slim pair that sees functionality reign supreme, right alongside style.


The bright red colour will bring a real burst of colour to your bookshelf, while the two dimpled lines on each bookend's face add a clean, sharp look in design. The anti-slip base improves stability, which is a good thing, as 180 g per bookend is a bit lighter than you'd like. 

No.10

XGOPTSBamboo Bookend

Bamboo Bookend 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Bamboo Bookend 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£11.82
Low Mid
Reference price
£11.82
Low Mid

Simple, Slim Bamboo Bookends

This slim bamboo bookend pair features a simple metal bracket that slots under your books for an inconspicuous addition to your shelf. We think the natural tones of the bamboo will suit a modern home where wood is in abundance. 


The only cause for concern is this pair's weight. At 100g per bookend, they're the lightest on this list. They're suited to propping up a few cookbooks in the kitchen but will most likely fall short when presented with a stacked line of books. 

Top 5 Bookends

No. 1: Royal SelangorTeddy Bears' Picnic Bookends

No. 2: AlessiCat Bookend

No. 3: FossilStoneMarble Wedge Bookends

No. 4: Beatrix PotterPeter Rabbit Bookends

No. 5: ChenhaoliliTree of Life Bookend

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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