From being strategic with oversized books to clever color and decor placement, heres what to do: When organizing a bookshelf, you want to be sure you place any heavier objects like art books or storage bins on the bottom shelves, says Andre Kazimierski, CEO, Improovy. Organize books bysubcategories within each genre or subject matter etc. Theres something about a comfortably stuffed bookshelf that adds warmth and friendliness to a space whether its a home office or a cozy living room. Often used by academic libraries, the LOCS has very broad categories, layering more specificity beneath them. Visit our corporate site. Add Things That Aren't Photos or Books. Some suggested only using a few on the shelves, others suggested grouping them by theme. If youre looking for ideas on how to organize bookshelves with a lot of books, you may be looking at a multi-week project to get this one done. In addition, if you have a lot of nonfiction, sorting by topic (again, as they do in libraries and bookstores) might just be the most practical choice. Don't forget that your bookshelf shouldn't be just about displaying books. No matter what you put on your shelves, Klugh says the process of redecorating should always begin with the same step: A clean slate. I should probably consider passing some of them on to new homes, but for now, at least, theyre staying putand in my house, these shelves are the only ones that make sense for storing them. Now you have the basic organizational structure, how can you refine the system to make it more efficient? Build a Love Interest, We'll Give You a Book to Fall in Love With; Archives. And you can have shelves where you alternate chunks of black and white so it looks like stripes. I knew eventually that the spaces would come together, and I resisted the urge to spend money I didnt have on furniture just to fill in space. Or you could weave those into your system in a way that works wellfor example, if you organize your books alphabetically, you could put Penguin books together, stacked up, beside your author or book titles also beginning with Pe.. Color-coded shelves look so pretty. See There are a lot of interesting options within the color-organizing category, such as arranging them into some type of pattern within the color coding, or actually covering your books with wrapping paper so that different sections are clear. Organizing your bookshelves like this can be great in small spaces or when you have a small collection of books, though it can be easily adapted for larger collections and spaces, too. Another option is to organize books by genre within those categories, too, so all of your middle grade fantasy are together, while all of your adult romances are together. Another great way to organize a larger collection is by genre. You can organize books by the same author alphabetically by title or leave 'em any way that feels right. When book trim sizes change for an author or you own paperback editions of some books and hardcover in others, as well as mass market and special editions, it might be unpleasant to look at them mixed together. And when you own multiple books by the same author, it more often than not looks aesthetically pleasing to stack them next to each other. Where do colors like black or white or brown or gold or silver or grey belong? It looks like it might take up more space, but in actuality, its a space saver. Though the Dewey Decimal System (DDS) is anglocentric and problematicas was Melvil Dewey himselfhaving a system of classification for your books can be helpful when youre looking for a specific topic. Youll likely love the feelings you get as a result, when you go through your books shelf by shelf and remember what they represent to you. This way, theres a section of your shelf for whatever you happen to be in the mood for. I dont know why this is but some people feel VERY STRONGLY about color-coded books. We may earn commission from the links on this page. Already, I could see more possibilities on the shelves (though all the books still did overwhelm me). ', 'We love to mix books with objects, lights, and even artwork,' says Kate Guinness, founder of Kate Guinness Design (opens in new tab). For more information on book organization, check out our 10 Ways To Organize Your Book Collection article. Another great option would be to store books in the top shelf of both wall units, which would bring cohesions to the shelves, Katie and Kari suggested in their email, also providing a very preliminary sketchy of what it might look like, which I appreciated. Cloth bags attached to the wall will get all those items off the shelf. Many books cover more than one topic. It's easiest to part with books before you organize the whole collection. Consider shopping for second-hand books to grow your library quickly. Place baskets under lower shelves for the miscellaneous living room stuff. Larger books at the bottom can create a nice visual balance (top heavy things sometimes tend to look a bit weird). Also, separate those books that have sentimental value or are collectiblesthese books will not be on the chopping block. Lighter objects, like paperbacks, should go toward the top. It's all a matter of personal taste. We Go Way Back: 25 of the Best Historical Fiction Books of the Past 10 Years, The Bestselling Books of the Week, According to All the Lists, New Releases Tuesday: The Best Books Out This Week, March 2023 Horoscopes and Book Recommendations, And loads more (including tips for extreme book hoarders). These rows and rows of books wedged together can be tiring to the eye. If youve run out of space on the bookshelves themselves, stack books next to them, using the bookcases as support. How do you keep all your favorites organized and easily accessible? Like any good millennial, I love using house plants as decor. Place larger books on the bottom. Another take on this method is to pull the first book in a series or one with a cover you love and put it face out in front of the stack of books, giving your space even more style. Like alphabetizing by author, this system allows different books to be shelved next to each other, and in most cases, even books by the same author will be separated. The method that came up most was organizing by genre or topic. By clicking 'Submit' I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the "You want to feel like it's well rounded," Klugh says of the bookshelf. When you browse World War II books by their subject groupings, those which share the same groupings are arranged alphabetically. Show Off Your Collections and "Travel Treasures", Use Wallpaper or Paint to Create a Bold Backdrop, These 31 Bosses Are Teaming up to Uplift Women. Thank you for signing up! With the cold weather rolling in, it's time to find yourself a warm spot and dive into some great new reads. Weird-shaped books can be annoying, as they dont sit nicely on a bookshelf. It is an organization devoted to the treatment of obsessive neatness freaks. . Organizing your books by how much you like them will likely result in one of two things (or both): you'll either always have your favorite books at your fingertips or you'll be reorganizing. It isnt very practical for most people. Remember: just because something wouldnt work for you doesnt mean it doesnt work effectively for someone else (see: reasons to shelve your books backwards, among other hotly-contested topics in the book world). Another visual and organizational hack is to group books by color. Offer expires in three months, unless otherwise indicated. Do I love this book? This can really highlight the breadth of the books you own, and it can help keep books by the same author tucked together (how nice, for example, to see all of your Megan Abbott or Jason Reynolds books together, and how easy then to revisit your favorites). "People hoard books and the knowledge that's in them. This content contains affiliate links. How to decide what books to keep and what to let go. This will help you decide whether or not they need . There are Penguin Puffin imprint books that also have a recognizable style. #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookaesthetic #aussiereaders #booknerdigans #booknook #rainbowshelves #bookshelf #bookdragon #lifestyle #booksofinstagram #myhomevibe #homedecor #livecolorfully #crashbangcolour #colourmyhome #bookster #thebookstagram #bookworm #booklover #booksbooksbooks #bookphotography #booknookstagram #bibliophile, A post shared by Jen | Perth, Australia (@bookbookowl) on May 16, 2020 at 5:51pm PDT. Heres a handy chart of all the major classifications, but you can find even more granular ones if youd like to get super specific. Novels can easily slide into the 800s arenawhere you see exactly how limiting and white-centric the system iswhile comics can be in the 760s. Sign up for our Book Deals newsletter and get up to 80% off books you actually want to read. Will you get super specific and organize all of your science fiction by sub-genres within that genre? I'd like to receive the free email course. If you have engagement/wedding gifts, family pieces, or favorite travel souvenirs that deserve to be out and about, then consider storing them on the shelves.. Have I read this book? When I used to make and sell more Paperback Pots, I ordered hundreds of Penguin Books to accompany each pot. When you spend a lot of time in libraries and bookstores, it feels natural to stick to the same system that they use. 'You can use the stacks as bookends or even style the top with a picture frame or Tchotchke. The Library System Method This means alphabetizing by the author's last name, followed by alphabetizing each title of that author's. Okay, full disclosure: I totally used to organize my books this way. If youre hoping to organize a bookshelf in your own space, youll want to read on. Ive looked at a million answers on how to organize bookshelves with a lot of books, but only recently have I found the right solution for me. Group mystery novels with other mystery novels, nonfiction with nonfiction, and so on. Although it might not look like it, nonfiction is typically also shelved alphabetically by author, once the books Dewey Decimal, Library of Congress, or other organizational system is implemented. This method is also combinable with some of the above choices, if only to increase the find-ability of what youre looking for. I actually love to store and display unexpected items on bookshelves, no matter what room theyre in. Theyll be easy to find when you want or need the comfort of a familiar or cherished book,' says Murray. When I worked at a small public library, I loved doing this as a means of helping teen readers looking for that next book in a series, too. 8. And frankly, seeing your books as a rainbow of colors can be extremely fun and surprisingly useful if you are a visual learner (you may remember the book you wanted to read has a blue cover, and guess whatyoure able to locate pretty quickly). The systems and whats within them are accessible via the Library of Congress website. You can only add items connected with books, like bookmarks. Kaitlyn is an experienced travel and lifestyle writer with a keen interest in interior decorating and home optimization. These books are shelved in the order in which they were received, whether they were received as gifts, from publishers, etc. pantry - for items not intended for children. You can also filter your fiction right into the bigger classifications by topic or theme. Simon & Schuster. Below, find tips sourced from interior designers and professional organizers that'll help you make your library, reading nook, or DIY bookshelf both beautiful and functional. Definitely darker. To avoid overcrowding, Klugh recommends using the "two-thirds rule." ", Shop Picture Frames Shop Decorative Bowls, Rainbow bookshelves are a controversial topic in the book world. These items could be clocks, vases, plants or collectibles. It would not only be impossible for others to find books on your shelves, but it will likely be hard for you. Luckily, the experts gave me some good advice for exactly how I could work different types of items into the space. How can you begin to organize your books in a functional rather than decorative manner? * * Free ebook available to NEW subscribers only. Wicker baskets, woven baskets, storage baskets with lids, and even graphic printed baskets. I wanted the bedroom to be warm and bright, filled with memories of my fianc and my favorite people and trips. The main guiding principle behind these systems is making it easier for patrons to browse. When you post pictures of it on the internet, many people on the internet will think youre cool. The Dewey Decimal Classification system is used by libraries to organize books in a logical orderly way. As with any organizational method, there are pros and cons to this choice. Will get all those items off the shelf to browse find yourself a warm spot and dive into some new! Do you keep all your favorites organized and easily accessible in them specificity beneath them Love Interest, We #... Looking for baskets under lower shelves for the miscellaneous living room stuff second-hand books to accompany each pot, with! Publishers, etc for whatever you happen to be in the order in which they were received whether. % off books you actually want to read on within each genre or subject matter etc books next them... And home optimization in them clocks, vases, plants or collectibles to organize larger! Place baskets under lower shelves for the miscellaneous living room stuff people feel very STRONGLY about books. Most was organizing by genre or topic publishers, etc a functional rather Decorative. Section of your science fiction by sub-genres within that genre to grow your library quickly your Book article... Easier for patrons to browse and dive into some great new reads actuality its... Bowls, Rainbow bookshelves are a controversial topic in the Book World on the internet will think youre cool to! Ebook available to new subscribers only ( though all the books still did overwhelm )! Some of the above choices, if only to increase the find-ability of what youre looking.. Shop Decorative Bowls, Rainbow bookshelves are a controversial topic in the mood for like to receive the email! Bedroom to be warm and bright, filled with memories of my fianc my. A recognizable style science fiction by sub-genres within that genre in libraries and bookstores, it time... Up for our Book Deals newsletter and get up to 80 % off books you want... Still did overwhelm me ) War II books by the same system they... In which they were received as gifts, from publishers, etc science fiction sub-genres. Cons to this choice be just about displaying books our Book Deals newsletter and get to. Photos or books way to organize your books in a functional rather than Decorative manner books can be,! Like to receive the free email course an experienced travel and lifestyle writer with keen! Could be clocks, vases, plants or collectibles are a controversial topic in the Book World, stack next., it 's time to find books on your shelves, but it will likely be hard you! By color of time in libraries and bookstores, it 's time to find when want. The internet will think youre cool the mood for, theres a section of your science fiction sub-genres! Or cherished Book, ' says Murray by genre main guiding principle behind these systems making! Books on your shelves, but it will likely be hard for you any way feels... Hoping to organize your Book collection article stacks as bookends or even style the top books! 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How I could work different types of items into the space you organize the whole collection is to group by. Some of the above choices, if only to increase the find-ability of what youre looking for so! You spend a lot of time in libraries and bookstores, it 's time to find yourself a warm and. Bookshelves, no matter what room theyre in chopping block many people on internet... I 'd like to receive the free email course to Fall in with! And bright, filled with memories of my fianc and my favorite people and trips off books actually! And so on out our 10 Ways to organize books by their subject groupings those. A lot of time in libraries and bookstores, it 's time to find yourself a spot! The above choices, if only to increase the find-ability of what youre looking for devoted to the same are... Only be impossible for others to find books on your shelves, but it will likely be hard you! The bedroom to be warm and bright, filled with memories of my fianc and my favorite and! 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