By Christina Morton DesAuguste

Christina is the founder of The Organizing Company and has been organizing professionally since 2013. She is currently loving belt bags, the new Wicked movie, and all things Christmas.

No A.I. writing here! All our blogs are still written by humans.

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There are a lot of you book lovers out there! I recently posted my feature in the Redfin Blog about book storage solutions in small spaces (see it here, ICYMI), and it’s already one of my most popular blogs!

So I put together a few more ideas I thought you’d enjoy. 5 to be exact.

Number 1: Floor To Ceiling Spine Bookshelves (Wall-Mounted)

A wall mounted spine bookshelf can create 10+ vertical feet of book storage, while only sacrificing about a foot of floor space. Some people call it an invisible bookshelf. Here’s an example of what I mean:

Free standing spine bookshelves have a height limit, but a wall mounted version like this is modular and can be added to in order make it reach floor to ceiling. Just make sure you’re safely securing each piece. 

Using a tower like this means that there can be a lot of books low and easily accessible, and the less accessed ones can go up higher. 

I also like these spine bookshelves because you’re not losing space with a wood frame or shelves, like with a traditional bookshelf. And you can squeeze at least one in just about anywhere you have an awkward corner or gap.

Pro Tip:

To really maximize this style of shelf, or really any shelf for that matter, break the library rules and organize your books by height. That way you can have a spine shelf for tall books, for medium books, for short books and move them close to each other so you really maximize your floor space (take another look at the image above- You can move the shelves closer together by keeping each “column” for the same size books so there aren’t big gaps).

For traditional bookshelves: Sorting books by height may not be a go-to method, but it does allow you create a really compact bookcase that utilizes vertical space better than having shelves of greatly varying book heights and losing inches of vertical space for every shelf.  Start at the bottom with the tallest books, then adjust the next shelf to the lowest setting possible and put the grouping of medium height books there, and so on. 

For more examples of and inspiration for spine bookshelves aka invisible bookshelves, click here.

Number 2: Books As Decor

For larger book collections, utilize the books as decor to fit more while adding your personality to the space in lieu of more art and objects.

Using books like decor means you can place furniture in front of them, instead of losing valuable floor space in front of traditional bookshelf setups. 

For example, creating a wall of built in shelves next to and above your headboard means you can have almost floor to ceiling books on the wall where you place your bed. It’ll create a cozy feel, while capitalizing on the often under-utilized space above and next to beds. 

Or, in the living room, make a wall of books behind a floating sofa, leaving a small path, or no path.

Or try an L-shaped bookcase in a corner with a reading chair floating in front of it. 

In all of these examples, make sure you’re putting your most accessed books in the easiest to reach places, and let the hard to reach spots be for books you rarely reach for.

And, of course, as much vertical space as you can use (instead of horizontal), the better.

For more examples of and inspiration for using books as decor or behind furniture, click here.

Number 3: Rolling Archival Bookshelves

Think library or museum file storage. Rolling shelves can condense until you need them, meaning that you don’t need as much walking space and can fit more.

Of course, this looks a bit (okay, a lot) industrial and not very homey. But you can take this idea and run with it in a more residential way on a smaller scale.

Maybe you don’t need 20 bookcases, but 3-5 would help. Dedicate a corner to shelving and try a drawer style rolling bookcase, like this one. The footprint doesn’t move, but the drawer slides out to allow access.

Or you could simply pick some standalone rolling bookcases like these and create this effect (just make sure you can move the shelves safely without pulling them over) if that works better for your space or your budget.

For more examples of and inspiration for rolling, or pull-out, bookshelves, click here.

Number 4: Books As A Room Divider Or Door

We’ve all seen some pretty awesome hidden door bookcases, but if you’re reading this blog, I’m guessing you need more book storage than one bookcase.

Try double sided sliding bookcases, or just a set of two sliding bookcase doors. Check out these ideas for inspo.

You can also create a cozy reading nook, or cozy bedroom/living room/any room by using a wall of books as a room divider.

For more examples of and inspiration for door or room divider bookshelves, click here.

Number 5: Hallway Or Stairway Shelving

This one gets overlooked often. But if you have a wide hallway, you could fit a lot of books there without feeling like you’re losing any space. Especially if you can go up to the ceiling.

Or, if you are up for a construction project, you can create built-in bookshelves in a stairway between studs or in custom built-ins. Note that I didn’t say attach shelving to the drywall, and that this example does not hang over the stair treads. Most stairways aren’t wide enough to safely add shelving, so you’ll likely need to have custom work done to make a recessed bookshelf or something like this.

I’ve got lots more ideas and inspiration on how to store and organize books on my Pinterest board: Organize Your Books! Click below to get inspired.

So those were some “You can have it all” ideas. But I’m a professional organizer, remember?

So I have to share my “Is having it all really having it all?” thoughts before I wrap this up.

I’m not a minimalist and I certainly don’t force that on my clients if that’s not their objective. Purging does not equal organizing.

Where it gets tricky is when the amount of stuff a client wants to keep is not functional for their space or for the aesthetic they are trying to achieve.

I think it’s worthwhile to ask some tough love questions to evaluate what is most important to you. For example: 

Why are you keeping paper books? Reference? Lending out? Memories? Trophies? Favorites you re-read often? Someday reads? Collections? Which of these categories could you let go of to either have more room for the other categories of books, or for other necessities? 

When you can’t accommodate both, would you rather have more space for furniture/doing yoga/plants/kids play area, or would you rather use that space for books? 

Do you have a budget right now for the home improvement supplies or organizing supplies you’ll need to maximize every inch to keep all your books? Or would you rather sell/donate some of your books and use your budget (plus that extra cash) over time for things like Kindle books or bus fare/gas/parking at the library on a more regular basis? 

Is keeping all your books causing you to live in a larger home/pay for more storage than you would need to if you pared down? Or is it making your home crowded and uncomfortable? Is that a trade off you’re happy with? 

I can’t answer these questions for someone, but I think they’re good to consider in addition to asking how to fit more. There has to be a cut off at some point, or a “one-in, one-out” rule applied. So these types of questions will come to the forefront eventually, and why not start that practice now? 

Whatever you decide to do, make sure you’re giving yourself the freedom to let go without guilt, and that you’re being safe when storing books (use tip-kits and have step stools handy).

Happy Organizing!

Christina

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December 5th, 2024

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