Sauder Beginnings 5-Shelf Bookcase, Bookshelf with Adjustable Storage Shelves, in Soft White

Why it's worth it

A 71-inch freestanding bookcase with three adjustable shelves and a soft white finish. It's the renter-friendly option when you want height and flexible shelf spacing but can't or won't put anchors in drywall.

Vertical space is the most underused asset in a small apartment, and this unit is nearly six feet of it in a 24.5-inch-wide footprint. Adjustable shelves are what make it work for collectibles specifically. You can set a couple of tight 7-inch gaps for small figures up top and leave one tall bay at the bottom for boxed sets or a big statue.

If you're renting, this is the low-risk choice. No anchors, no patching, no deposit argument at move-out. You should still strap it to the wall for safety, especially with pets or kids, but a single anti-tip bracket leaves one small hole instead of a row of them. Everything else about the unit is freestanding.

From our review of 7 ways to display collectibles in a small apartment, by Chloe Miller, Lifestyle & Trends Editor

What we like

• +Vertical space is the most underused asset in a small apartment, and this unit is nearly six feet of it in a 24.5-inch-wide…
• +If you're renting, this is the low-risk choice
• +The soft white finish also does quiet work

What to know

• –It's particle board with veneer, and it behaves like it
• –Assembly quality determines how long it lasts