26 September 2026
What Is a Wooden Book Box? A Guide to Book Box Storage
A wooden book box is a storage box made to look like a book. From the outside it reads as a bound volume on a shelf, desk or bedside table. Lift the cover and there is a hidden space inside for the things you want to keep close. If you have been wondering what a book box is, or whether one would work in your home, this guide covers what they are made from, what people use them for, how to choose a size and how to look after one.
What is a book box?
A book box (also called a wood book box or a book-shaped storage box) is simply a box built in the shape of a book. The cover is hinged on one side, like a real binding, and opens to a recessed interior. Some versions are made from MDF or card and wrapped in printed paper or faux leather. Others are carved from old hardback books. An Embergarth wooden book box is made in solid wood, as a piece of furniture rather than a novelty.
Because it looks like a book, it sits naturally among the books you already own. That makes it a quiet kind of storage: useful, but in keeping with the room.
How an Embergarth wooden book box is made
Every Embergarth book is made by hand by Tom in South Wales. Each one is built from birch planks joined with wood glue, coloured with a hand-rubbed wood stain and finished with clear lacquer. Gold zinc-plated steel hinges connect the cover to the body. The stain deepens the colour of the birch while letting the grain show through, so no two books look exactly alike. You can read more about the timber in our post on Cambrian White Birch, or see how the books are made.
Each book is supplied empty, with an unfitted interior. There are no trays, dividers or contents, so you decide how to use the space.
Book box storage: what can you keep inside?
Book box storage works best for small belongings that tend to drift around a house. Depending on the size you choose, people use theirs for:
- Handwritten letters, cards and photographs
- Bookmarks, reading glasses and a notebook by the bed
- Pens, stationery and chargers on a desk
- Keys and everyday bits on a hall table
- Craft supplies, or keepsakes you want to keep together
A wooden book box is not a lockable safe. It is a handsome place to keep things tidy and close at hand, not a security product. Measure the things you want to store before choosing your book.
Choosing the right size
Start with where the book will live, then check the inside against what you want to keep in it. All measurements are width × height × depth and approximate, as each piece is made by hand.
| Book | Price | Outside | Usable inside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | £149 | 18.5 × 29.5 × 9.5 cm | 10.5 × 17 × 4.6 cm |
| Medium | £249 | 28 × 46 × 14 cm | 17.5 × 32 × 9.5 cm |
| Large | £399 | 38 × 60 × 16.5 cm | 26.5 × 46 × 11.5 cm |
| Complete Set of 3 | £599 | One of each size | As above |
Leave room on the shelf or table to open the cover fully. If the fit is close, please contact us before ordering. You can compare all three side by side in the full collection of wooden book boxes.
A wooden book box as a gift
A wooden book box makes a thoughtful present for readers, writers and anyone who keeps letters or mementoes. You could tuck a handwritten note or a photograph inside before wrapping it. For ideas by recipient, see our Christmas gift guide for book lovers or browse handmade Christmas gifts. For Christmas delivery in the UK, please order by Monday 14 December.
Caring for your book
The clear lacquer protects the stained birch from everyday handling. Dust with a soft, dry cloth, and wipe marks with a cloth that is barely damp, then dry it straight away. Keep the book away from radiators, direct sunlight for long periods and standing water. Open and close the cover by its edge rather than forcing the hinges.
Wooden book box FAQs
What is a wooden book box used for?
It is decorative storage shaped like a book. People use it for letters, photographs, stationery, keys, reading accessories and keepsakes.
What wood are Embergarth book boxes made from?
Birch planks, coloured with wood stain and finished with clear lacquer, with gold zinc-plated steel hinges. Each one is handmade in South Wales.
Does it come with dividers or anything inside?
No. Every book is supplied empty with an unfitted interior, so you can use the space however you like.
Does it lock?
No. It is not a safe and has no lock. It is designed as attractive everyday storage.
How long does delivery take?
UK delivery is free. Allow approximately 2 to 5 working days from ordering. See the shipping policy for details.