12 Book Storage Ideas Every Bibliophile Needs To Show Off Their Book Collection
Take a leaf out of our book and try out these storage tips
If you’re a self-proclaimed bibliophile, your books likely have a habit of taking over your home. Books are overflowing from the shelves, stacked on your nightstand, and strewn on your dining room table. Before you convince yourself that you have too many books to handle—is there really such a thing?—check out these 12 book storage ideas to keep your favorite reads organized.
1. Choose a Statement Bookshelf
Can a bookshelf be as interesting as your book collection? Absolutely. Opt for book storage that doubles as the focal point of a room due to its structure, color, or spot in the room. If you find a unique wall-mounted bookshelf, we recommend hiring a local general contractor to hang such a heavy and weight-bearing item. A professional can ensure that the shelf is safely secure for you and your wall's sake.
2. Play with Primary Colors
If you're concerned about combining all the colors of your book covers in one spot, keep the rest of the decor on your shelves simple and balanced. Choose three to four primary colors to offset the array of hues on the book's spines. For example, collect a few simple planters or sculptures in the same color palette and keep your line of colorful books in a few neat stacks. In short, opt for simplicity and let your colorful book collection shine.
3. Correlate Your Color Scheme
Bookshelves should blend seamlessly into a room's color scheme as much as the couch or the coffee table. This trick keeps large built-in bookshelves from looking too cluttered. For example, popular color trends like seafoam green or navy blue are easy to weave into your design with furniture, paint colors, and your favorite book jackets. If you have a tricky painting job that requires working around built-in shelves and molding, hire a professional interior painter near you for the cleanest look.
4. Work With Your Existing Space
Oddly shaped rooms—particularly those with slanted ceilings—can make storing large book collections tricker. But with the help of a local carpenter, you can spruce up nearly any wall shape with built-in shelves. Not only does this give you more space for your Harry Potter collection, but it also adds height to an otherwise diminutive space.
5. Pep Up Your Bookshelf With Plants
It’s no secret that book lovers and plant lovers have many things in common. What's better than curling up with an adventure book while surrounded by an indoor mini-forest? Incorporate plants on your bookshelf in front and alongside your book piles, and feel free to add a few floor plants for extra foliage. Don't forget to arrange houseplants with your home's natural light to create the ideal space for them to grow.
6. Transform a Walk-In Closet
Admit it: You need a whole room dedicated to your massive Jane Austen collection and a spot to curl up with Persuasion before the movie comes out. A local home remodeling specialist can help you re-envision small auxiliary rooms, whether they were originally a closet, small bedroom, or a mudroom. Be sure to include plenty of lighting, book storage space, and a color scheme that ties everything together.
7. Build Recessed Shelves in the Wall
If you're low on space, consider adding built-in shelves recessed within your walls. While this concept is more labor-intensive than building a bookshelf, it allows you to get more creative and customize your pocket shelves. To ensure this project will work in your home, get a professional opinion from a structural engineer near you to approve your idea. Keep in mind that previously recessed walls that came with the style of the home are also good candidates for bookshelves.
8. Embrace Minimalist Book Storage
Owning a treasure trove of books doesn't mean you can't embrace a minimalist home design. And while turning your books in the opposite direction is not very practical for finding your favorite title, it can make your collection look sleek and monochromatic. This tactic works particularly well with bookshelves in an open floor plan, especially since it offers a white aesthetic on one side and a more colorful one on the other.
9. Frame Your Windows with Bookshelves
Design your dream at-home library around a window with a view. Not only does this concept add more storage and lounging space, but it also provides a spot to better appreciate the year-round beauty outside your window. Be sure to properly insulate the windows to prevent your books from being exposed to the outdoor elements. Sure, "winter is coming" in your story, but there's no need to welcome it into your reading nook.
10. Create a Cozy Reading Nook
You don't need to overhaul your house to create a cozy book storage and reading area. Perfect for renters, opt for a shorter bookshelf that puts all your favorite titles at eye level when curled with some overstuffed cushions and Pride and Prejudice. To customize your reading nook and add plenty of reading light, install accent, task, or ambient lighting to illuminate your space.
11. Opt for Kid-Friendly Organization
The best book storage should adapt to its readers—especially if they are your little ones reaching for their favorite titles. Keep children's books in a mix of spaces so they always know where to find their books, including colorful storage bins at eye level, file separators for nighttime reads, and a pile of the books they reach for on an everyday basis out in the open. You can even work with a local home organizer to discover the best way to keep your child’s favorite reads organized.
12. Fill Your Workspace with Your Favorite Titles
Bookshelves are far more than storage, especially in a home that often doubles as a workspace. Keep your shelves neat and simple by only adding your favorite book titles directly behind your computer screen. Create balance in large freestanding or built-in shelves by not overfilling them with books. To add a personal touch, you can include small pieces of colorful art, flowers, or photos for a bit of contrast.