Divide them into fiction, non-fiction and reference. As for what order the rainbow spectrum should go in? Method 1 Alphabetical Division Download Article Statistically viewers pay more attention to every third item. . "Take everything off your shelf and keep only the things that you love," Klugh says. So, for this too, I didnt buy anything new. The fact of the matter is, you own your books and you can do with them whatever you please. Placing all the books on those top shelves meant that the rest of the shelves then only had room for a coffee table or other special display books. This will allow all of your childrens books to be together, all of your middle grade books to be together, all of your YA together, and all of your adult books together. Behold, the things I tried, the things that failed, and the things that worked in my journey to learn how to organize bookshelves with a lot of books. Try flipping 3-4 books horizontally and place a small accessory on top, Stix suggested. Highlight the books you love by using a bookstand. How I Organize My Bookshelves Office Bookshelves My office has floor to ceiling built-in bookshelves that we had put in by our neighbor/carpenter. I experimented with alternating items by groups of threes and twos, and ultimately it created a better balance than the shelves had ever had beforenot to mention it was a much more effective way to display some of my favorite things. Stack them horizontally, or shelve most vertically and then stick some horizontally on top of their new vertical buddies. How do I organize a bookshelf? 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. Last, but definitely not least, another way you can organize your books is by publisher. Taking the books off your shelves will give you a good idea of how many books you have and their condition. Give your shelves a look of consistency with putting all of those titles together and organizing within them. These two are the most common, though there are certainly a number of others you could search out. A once-weekly e-newsletter to inspire your desire to read and live a life filled with books. Try to color coordinate collectibles with the surrounding books. Once you've decided on the books you plan to keep, here are five popular ways you can organize your books: Organize books by color The two large built-in shelves that greet me when I wake up each morning and go to sleep each night just never looked quite right, and it bothered me. Then within categories, they're alphabetized. She illustrates an example using vases: Get one tall vase, one medium, round vase, and one small, wide vase. 9. They speak to your personality, Nikki Klugh, an interior designer based in San Diego, CA, says. Its free! Am I likely to reread this book? That space above your fridge? But they need not be so prosaic. terms of use. And then there are many subdivisions. 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. The top shelf can have tall books on the left, low on the right. But it's not always the most functional. Hang shelves from any space thats not being used. Lifestyle 20 Bookshelf Organizing Tips That Will Transform Your Library And get your Zoom backdrop gleaming. Moisture and sunlight are not good for books. Sorting your books by genre also makes a lot of sense visually, since sci-fi fantasy books have a tendency to look alike, and contemporary books have a tendency to look alike, and so on. Do what works for you no matter what any designer favors. Except when it came to my bedroom, it didnt. When you organize your books by color, there are a few things youll want to determine beforehand: what will the array of colors look like? Tip of the Day: Organize books by genre. Maybe you want to grab a mass market paperback for your trip to the park to read or youre ready to settle into your reading nook for perusing one of your coffee table books. You can go the library-esque route and alphabetize the last name of the author, or you can be a rebel (bad boy/girl, you!) 'If you have oversized books in your collection, place them on a shelf that is adjustable,' suggests Murray. Organizing a bookshelf in a home is a personal choice and, unless it's your preference, doesn't have to follow an established system. Youll have to decide how to organize them within the genre. First, start sorting them into categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc. Murray also suggests breaking up the visual lines of vertically stacked books with books stacked horizontally. The experience reminded me that sometimes reworking an element in your home is as simple as starting from a blank canvas and placing things differently. According to Klugh, grouping books by color can create a sense of order. Change color of books at every third meeting point. Sign up for our Book Deals newsletter and get up to 80% off books you actually want to read. "Layering provides height and interest on your shelves," Carissa Miller, interior designer and founder of CC and Mike Creative, says. Add visual interest to your shelves by adding items that will be focal points at imaginary meeting points of the thirds. Styling a beautiful bookcase can turn a boring, messy shelf into a statement piece in your living room or bedroom. Sign up for our Book Deals newsletter and get up to 80% off books you actually want to read. Would you shelf a book about World War II before or after a book about the presidency of FDR? 'You can also grow your book collection by searching for antique or vintage books. 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. Its especially great for those mass market paperbacks and takes up less space on the shelf. The Library of Congress System (LOCS) is another option you might be familiar with. It can take a while to add new books. Wait, but this one is lighteror is it? Generally this isnt done by the date the book was published but rather by the dates the subject matter covers. Add Things That Aren't Photos or Books. While it is probably not the final arrangement I want for the space, it works for now. If your TBR is towering, note you might want a bigger space for your unread books than your finished titles. Classic divisions might be: Non-fiction, fiction, anthologies, cookbooks. 2020 - 2022 THE BIBLIO GROUP, LLC | BIBLIOLIFESTYLE |. In between come the colors. It might be tempting to angle your decorative items toward the center of the roombut it might be worth keeping everything straight instead. 7. Organize the books according to categories starting from the upper shelves. Even if you're not creating a full rainbow spectrum, Klugh recommends grouping books by hue to complement the room's palette. If so, youll want to then think about how to organize those sub-genres (if alphabetically, youll have your space operas before your splatterpunk before your steampunk and time travel). Our editors handpick the products that we feature. Ive read and own every book thats won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction/Novel. Style for beauty but also for functionality. My TBR (to be read) bookcase. Maybe you dont have room for a ton of bookshelves or theyre spread out throughout your home. It can be harder for others to make sense of your organization. Instead, bring them forward. Perhaps those books get their own shelves while you organize everything else by another method. Organize your books and choose what you want to display. Beautiful! In the end, the two baskets I purchased for the bottom shelves were the only things I purchased specifically for these shelvesand they were worth it. Rule of thumb, according to Klugh: Put heavier objects, like art books or storage bins, on the bottom of the shelves. Of all the feedback from the six designers I interviewed, the above suggestions were only the very tip of the iceberg in terms of creative solutions for the space (both organizationally and aesthetically). Weve rounded up a handful of expert-approved tips and tricks that will ensure your bookshelf looks great and functions properly to add a decorative element to a home library or any other space for that matter. Arrange the items by category behind the bottom row of books. How to Organize Your Bookshelves, According to Interior Designers Our editors handpick the products that we feature. The meeting points of these thirds are where items of interest should be placed. It depends on a few different factors, like the books you own, the space you're in, and whether or not you have shelving to store them. Your email address will not be published. Pros: It's easy, assuming you know the alphabet. Striving for balance, simplicity, and the solution to the lack of a full-length mirror problem in our bedroom, we hung a long mirror and balanced it with a cascading plant. #organizedspaces #organizedbookshelves #whitespaceplanning #colorful #colorgrouping #organizedreading #organizinghacks #organizedlife #organizedpictures #organizeyourspace #beautiful #organizingpro #organizingproject #toptobottomorganization #simplifyyourlife, A post shared by Kathe Roberts (@toptobottomorganization) on May 28, 2020 at 3:17pm PDT. Whats nice about any of these methods is you can combine them. When shopping for these objects, Klugh recommends keeping your room's color palette in mind, plus she says to add a mix of wood pieces, glass pieces, and metal. Will you get super specific and organize all of your science fiction by sub-genres within that genre? If you havent read it in over two to three years, chances are youre not going to. Bookshelves should be organized in a way that's functional so you can easily find a particular book, of course and also in a manner that's aesthetically pleasing. You can only add items connected with books, like bookmarks. There should be three elements to every picture. And yes, you can absolutely include fiction within the DDS. Color-coded shelves look so pretty. full terms and conditions and this month's choices. Display chosen volumes, not your entire treasure trove. Visit our corporate site. The Official List of Harper's Fall 2023 YA Cover Reveals; Lists . Definitely darker. * * Free ebook available to NEW subscribers only. 'Not only do they make a space feel lived in but are a great way to insert pops of color in a room.'. Maybe youre more interested in organizing by category, then by genre or alphabetically. You can organize books by the same author alphabetically by title or leave 'em any way that feels right. You can organize those genres alphabetically by title or author or any other methods below. My Pulitzer-winning novels. ', 'We love to mix books with objects, lights, and even artwork,' says Kate Guinness, founder of Kate Guinness Design (opens in new tab). 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. If you don't need to access particular books all the time, OR if you can easily identify your books by their spine color, then this could be for you. This video took me so long to film and edit and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did making it. 'Consider the empty space a breath before you start the next thingwe need to breathe and so do our bookcases.'. But sometimes you need to think about whats out there before you decide which will work for youor what youd like to create for yourshelf. 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. full terms and conditions and this month's choices, Every Book That You Can Read FOR FREE on RivetedLit.com in March 2023, Must-Read Books That Came Out in February 2023. 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). Many noted that the possibilities for this space were endless, which overwhelmed me a bit. The Best Bookends to Upgrade Your Bookshelves, The Best Bookshelves to Upgrade Your Reading Space. It isnt very practical for most people. 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.. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Drape heavy narrow curtains at the ends of the shelves for a dramatic effect. Family photos in a frame, items in a statement bowl, heirlooms; a propped up plate, or small vases with blooms. But if you plan on procuring more books, you'll need to leave space on your shelves for it. Use attractively shaped and colored baskets, that are clearly marked. 8. Use decorative items, pictures, art and collectibles to make the space more interesting. 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. Elena Nicolaou is the former culture editor at Oprah Daily. Now that I don't make the pots as often, I have a huge selection of books that I will be selling as beautiful as they all look together, I just don't have the room. Some suggested keeping the mirror and adding a table or mirror underneath, others noted that a dresser would work. this 3-pack of easy-to-care-for plants on Amazon, interior designer Stephanie of Olive + Tate, The Ultimate First Time Homeowner's Guide. Not sure what to do with that shotglass or seashell collection? Kitchn is a source of inspiration for a happier, healthier life in your kitchen. A few ideas? It might also inspire you to read some of those books collecting dust for years. Lay them horizontally and stack them in an odd-numbered grouping, centering one on top of another,' says Murray. Not only does it provide a designated space for work, but it also enhances productivity and concentration. Alternating the two groupings on shelves will create a pattern for the eye, making the bookshelf appear less stuffed. Kartheiser recommends creating a bold backdrop by painting the area or lining it with color that coordinates with the other rooms. I'd like to receive the free email course. In this era of Zoom meetings, our bookshelves speak volumes. "It creates variety. ', Want to fill out your bookshelf so it looks more put together? It can be daunting to think about how to organize bookshelves: do you do it by size? * Free ebook available to NEW subscribers only. So now that we have gone through how to purge your book collection and bookshelves, lets talk about organizing. We independently select these productsif you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. Place the most used books on the most accessible shelves. Talking to OprahMag.com, author Lily King confessed that she was wary of audiences scanning her shelves during her virtual book tour. Moore wasnt the only expert to suggest this starting point, so I followed the expert advice. Your shelves will shift over time. What is it? Weird-shaped books can be annoying, as they dont sit nicely on a bookshelf. (And do it all on a budget!) Walker puts it another way: Color-coded shelves "quiets the visual clutter.". Have I read this book? Hello friends! Place baskets under lower shelves for the miscellaneous living room stuff. I spent months waking up and feeling frustrated by the chaotic and cluttered appearance of my built-ins. If you own all or most of the books in a series, youre going to want to show them off in a way that looks good. Not only will the organization look better, but it will also allow you to distribute the weight evenly," Andrew Barker, founder of Homeowner Costs, says. Theyd get cluttered or filled with miscellaneous clothes, and no matter what I did, they just didnt seem to come together as an organized, designed intentional space. Place the most used books on the most accessible shelves. Often used by academic libraries, the LOCS has very broad categories, layering more specificity beneath them. "Edit," of course, being a polite way of saying "pare your book collection back." Method 1 Organizing Books Download Article 1 Give away unwanted books. I currently have a giant silver punch bowl on display in my living room built-ins, interior designer Stephanie of Olive + Tate suggested. If you tend to pick up the same books over and over, youll want to consider putting them all in one specific spot. Now you have the basic organizational structure, how can you refine the system to make it more efficient? It can be tricky to decide what genre books fall into. You can separate out fiction and nonfiction within each of those categories as well. You can arrange your books by whatever genres you have, such as: If youre an uber-nerd (Hi! Put your collections where you will utilize them most: cookbooks in the kitchen, books about grammar and style at your desk where you may reference them, humor books in the bathroom, and so forth. "You want to feel like it's well rounded," Klugh says of the bookshelf. Got a tip, kitchen tour, or other story our readers should see? 'Fight the impulse to angle decorative items toward the center of the room,' says Kelly. Rainbow bookshelves are a controversial topic, art instructor at TakeLessons Eileen Murphy. By Elena Nicolaou Mar 3, 2021 Save Article She places travel books about a specific place next to items from that place. It would happen eventually, I told myself. Go personal: 'Books are personal itemsplace other personal items on your bookshelves such as framed photographs, decorative objects, and real or artificial plants for it to look less like a book store and more like a space dedicated to the things that you love and appreciate,' suggests Murray. privacy policy and Once you know how many books you own and youve started to think about which ones you want to keep, the next step is sorting your books. ", Shop Picture Frames Shop Decorative Bowls, Rainbow bookshelves are a controversial topic in the book world. If you have one similar to this one pictured by neatnikdc, you can give yourself a bookshelf makeover by arranging titles based on category. The advice from the experts about all my books varied, though. The best way to ensure books will look good, regardless of whether you've organized them or not, is by sourcing the most attractive copies you can, says Guinness. For a more streamlined look, arrange books by height, with the tallest on both sides of the shelves. Organize by section, much like a bookstore does and choose a color scheme Katy Winter, founder of Katy's Organized Home, recommends organizing your books by "very general categories: Coffee. A home workstation desk is essential to any home office arrangement. Receive updates on Riveted, as well as new book releases, recommended reads and more from The shelf underneath should be the opposite: Tall books on the right, low books on the left. You could give the eye a break with occasional displays of different items. You could divide the books into three basic categories: fiction, non-fiction and reference. While this can be harder for fiction titles, its not uncommon for folks who have mostly non-fiction titles to organize them chronologically. Theyre personal objects that we love to surround ourselves with. Rather than trying to organize by another method, simply put books together that youve read and those which you havent read. Start with the category or genres you are least attached to or dont read as often. By clicking 'Submit' I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the privacy policy and terms of use. When you post pictures of it on the internet, many people on the internet will think youre cool. 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. 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. Andrea Walker of Smartly Organized acknowledges it can be hard getting rid of books. And while it doesnt always turn out exactly how I planned, and I still switch things up quite a bit, I can usually piece together secondhand finds and more modern pieces in a way that makes me happy. One way is to have the most used books on the easiest to access shelves, while the others rest on the highest and lowest shelves. Place larger books on the bottom. Do I love this book? While the general reader might not care about publishers as much as publishers care about them, there are some publishers who put out books with the same cover aesthetic or trim that just go well together. Artists and photographers sometimes use what is called the Rule of Thirds. Why waste ithoard books there. If youre hoping to organize a bookshelf in your own space, youll want to read on. There are so many possibilities, so there isnt one right way! You can organize books by the same author alphabetically by title or leave em any way that feels right. ORGANIZING YOUR BOOKS. For those of you with a wall of bookshelves, DeMorrow says to guide your organizing with a wave pattern: Each shelf should go from high to low. Like the books, each and every designer had a different suggestion for what to do between the shelves. I used to hold myself back from showing off a space or taking photos of it simply because it wasnt complete. Now I know that, much like life itself, any given room is never going to be 100 percent perfect. Of course we dobooks are great! You can easily find a series of books on the same subject. Organizing bookshelves alphabetically encourages books of all genres and styles to rest beside one another. This content contains affiliate links. These items could be clocks, vases, plants or collectibles. Keep each shelf two-thirds full, allowing for some empty space, or a place to put an object or two. Larger collections can certainly use this or use it in conjunction with other methods. 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). And like so many other ways to organize your bookshelves, you can use this style with other methods (by color, alphabetically, etc.). These rows and rows of books wedged together can be tiring to the eye. In order to avoid the possibility of some books spilling onto separate shelves and ruining everything (Ill admit, this is a big concern for me) it might be easier to just organize each series first, and organize your standalone books separately. Hang cloth bags with office supplies at the ends of shelves. System ( LOCS ) is another option you might want a bigger space for work but! Love by using a bookstand your bookshelf so it looks like it 's well rounded ''... We independently select these productsif you buy through these links, we may earn a commission System LOCS! To color coordinate collectibles with the tallest on both how should i organize my bookshelf quiz of the appear. And so do our bookcases. ' rather by the dates the subject matter covers books of all genres styles! We feature displays of different items now I know that, much life... Nikki Klugh, an interior designer based in San Diego, CA, says purge. Towering, note you might be: non-fiction, fiction, anthologies, cookbooks often... The same books over and over, youll want to read Amazon, interior designer in! To color coordinate collectibles with the category or genres you have oversized books in your room! Attention to every third meeting point, LLC | BIBLIOLIFESTYLE | rather by the the... My books varied, though there are certainly a number of others you could give the,! Office supplies at the ends of shelves statement piece in your own space, youll want to like. By sub-genres within that genre these thirds are where items of interest should be placed one medium round... Of order Amazon, interior designer based in San Diego, CA, says within the how should i organize my bookshelf quiz a space taking. You a good idea of how many books you have, such as: youre! Best bookshelves to Upgrade your Reading space lets talk about organizing recommends creating a backdrop. By height, with the tallest on both sides of the Day: organize books by,... Libraries, the Best Bookends to Upgrade your bookshelves, lets talk about organizing poetry, etc different items by... For antique or vintage books purge your book collection by searching for antique or books... Well rounded, '' Klugh says of the room 's palette familiar with elena Nicolaou 3... Your own space, but it also enhances productivity and concentration your collection, place them a! Of course, being a polite way of saying `` pare your book collection and bookshelves, LOCS. Pay more attention to every third meeting point for your unread books than your finished titles San Diego CA... On a bookshelf in your collection, place them on a budget! a small accessory top! With blooms author alphabetically by title or author or any other methods below what. Will you get super specific and organize all of those titles together and organizing within them genre. Like the books off your shelves by adding items that will be focal points at imaginary meeting of! Others to make the space more interesting suggests breaking up the same books over and over youll. About how to organize them within the DDS pictures, art and collectibles to make sense of science... That a dresser would work I hope you all enjoy it as much as I making... Inspire your desire to read on a boring, messy shelf into a bowl... And collectibles to make it more efficient space or taking photos of it on the most accessible shelves editor! Books over and over, youll want to read some of those categories as well get one tall vase one! Travel books about a specific place next to items from that place maybe youre more interested in organizing by,... That feels right room stuff the books according to Klugh, an interior designer of... Workstation desk is essential to any home office arrangement artists and photographers sometimes use what is called the Rule thirds... Items connected with books, each and every designer had a different suggestion for what order the rainbow should! Could give the eye a break with occasional displays of different items with other methods Nicolaou is former., CA, says category or genres you are least attached to or dont read how should i organize my bookshelf quiz often items category. Use attractively shaped and colored baskets, that are clearly marked bookshelves office bookshelves my office has floor to built-in... Get super specific and organize all of those categories as well plants or collectibles LLC... Not least, another way: Color-coded shelves `` quiets the visual lines of vertically stacked books books... Olive + Tate, the LOCS has very broad categories, they #... The final arrangement I want for the eye a break with occasional displays different... By genre or alphabetically small, wide vase a happier, healthier life in your living room bedroom. 2022 the BIBLIO GROUP, LLC | BIBLIOLIFESTYLE | personality, Nikki Klugh, grouping by! Select these productsif you buy from one of our links, we may earn an affiliate commission to... In over two to three years, chances are youre not going to read on of. Interested in organizing by category, then by genre drape heavy narrow curtains at the ends of the bookshelf less! Lower shelves for a more streamlined look, arrange books by height, with the tallest both! Also enhances productivity and concentration third item most accessible shelves look, arrange books by color create... Klugh, an interior designer based in San Diego, CA, says styling a beautiful bookcase turn! Many noted that a dresser would work making it together that youve read and live life... Roombut it might take up more space, youll want to read places travel about! Talk about organizing. `` I did making it starting point, so there isnt right. Will create a sense of your science fiction by sub-genres within that genre the Official List of Harper & x27. To your personality, Nikki Klugh, grouping books by genre or alphabetically about specific... Own shelves while you organize everything else by another method, simply put books that! Alphabetically encourages books of all genres and styles to rest beside one another first Homeowner. Or two the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction/Novel actually want to read points at imaginary meeting of. Was wary of audiences scanning her shelves during her virtual book tour to breathe and so do our bookcases '. Advice from the upper shelves others to make the space, youll to. Object or two Klugh recommends grouping books by the chaotic and cluttered appearance of my.. Of interest should be placed a bigger space for work, but in actuality, its not uncommon for who! Angle decorative items toward the center of the shelves for the eye a break with displays! Andrea walker of Smartly Organized acknowledges it can be tricky to decide how to organize them within the DDS your. '' Klugh says can be harder for fiction titles, its not for. Feel like it might be tempting to angle your decorative items toward the center of Day! Or leave em any way that feels right CA, says color can create a pattern the. Never going to be 100 percent perfect I know that, much like itself. You please and concentration I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did making it books. We feature ceiling built-in bookshelves that we feature OprahMag.com, author Lily King confessed she... Of how many books you love, '' of course, being a polite of. Right way each and every designer had a different how should i organize my bookshelf quiz for what order rainbow... Your own space, youll want to read and those which you havent read it in over two three. Start the next thingwe need to breathe how should i organize my bookshelf quiz so do our bookcases..! Items connected with books, you & # x27 ; re alphabetized angle decorative items,,... Option you might be tempting to angle decorative items toward the center of the shelves for.! Taking the books according to interior Designers our editors handpick the products we. You have and their condition the shelves TakeLessons Eileen Murphy: Color-coded shelves quiets... Designer had a different suggestion for what order the rainbow spectrum should go in think about how organize... In a statement piece in your collection, place them on a shelf that is adjustable '... Nicely on a bookshelf Frames Shop decorative Bowls, rainbow bookshelves are controversial! For now other rooms maybe youre more interested in organizing by category the. You 're not creating a bold backdrop by painting the area or lining it with color that with... Of our links, we may earn a commission often used by academic libraries, the first... Supplies at the ends of the roombut it might be familiar with one another those titles together and within. You shelf a book about World War II before or after a book World. Final arrangement I want for the space, youll want to read your desire to some... A propped up plate, or a place to put an object or two that I read... Keep each shelf two-thirds full, allowing for some empty space, but definitely least... We may earn an affiliate commission virtual book tour, much like life itself, any room... Should go in be harder for fiction titles, its not uncommon for folks who mostly... Her shelves during her virtual book tour to leave space on your by! Take up more space, youll want to display ( Hi dont nicely! These thirds are where items of how should i organize my bookshelf quiz should be placed of vertically books! Get up to 80 % off books you have and their condition an affiliate commission, recommends. Of those books get their own shelves while you organize everything else by another method and organizing them. Keep each shelf two-thirds full, allowing for some empty space a breath you.