Decorating
14 Spaces That Prove There's Always Room for Books
Be inspired by the bookworms on Houzz who have won the book storage war
While we may not collect books at the same rate as we used to (thanks to the little wonder that is the e-reader), there is something magical about a shelf teeming with books. Better yet, it’s yet another place in your space that allows you to show off your personality and can add major character to a room. So toss out your preconceived ideas of how and where to keep your books and try one of these fun bookshelf organisation ideas instead. With the right touch, your shelf needn’t be just a shelf…
2. Around an entryway
If you have space to spare around an already-large entryway, a built-in shelving system around the edges may be just the thing to give it purpose.
How to host your own book club
If you have space to spare around an already-large entryway, a built-in shelving system around the edges may be just the thing to give it purpose.
How to host your own book club
3. In the bedroom
Fill your dreams with tales of far, far away with a bespoke floor-to-ceiling-unit filled with books. Painted in a fantastical shade of cherry, and complete with shadow boxes to stash your treasures, it’s the perfect setting in which to end a trying day.
Fill your dreams with tales of far, far away with a bespoke floor-to-ceiling-unit filled with books. Painted in a fantastical shade of cherry, and complete with shadow boxes to stash your treasures, it’s the perfect setting in which to end a trying day.
4. Along the corridor
If there is one space in your house almost guaranteed to have an open wall, it’s your corridor. Before you get too excited, however, take note: corridors can be slim and dark. That’s why this example is so inspiring – the shelves are built into the wall, so they don’t jut out and feel poky and cumbersome. Moreover, there is plenty of lighting, effectively turning this corridor into a perfect library.
If there is one space in your house almost guaranteed to have an open wall, it’s your corridor. Before you get too excited, however, take note: corridors can be slim and dark. That’s why this example is so inspiring – the shelves are built into the wall, so they don’t jut out and feel poky and cumbersome. Moreover, there is plenty of lighting, effectively turning this corridor into a perfect library.
5. Ready for the big reveal
A sliding barn door provides a slither of hope for the future of books.
Why real books will never die
A sliding barn door provides a slither of hope for the future of books.
Why real books will never die
6. In the wardrobe
As anyone who has lived in a small space knows, finding room for all your possessions can be tricky. But don’t despair; use storage space that has been allocated to other items, such as your clothes. Here, a wardrobe does double-duty as a bookshelf.
As anyone who has lived in a small space knows, finding room for all your possessions can be tricky. But don’t despair; use storage space that has been allocated to other items, such as your clothes. Here, a wardrobe does double-duty as a bookshelf.
7. Floor to ceiling
If you have the luxury of shelving that covers a whole wall, treat it like a feature art installation and arrange your books in a fun, decorative way. Colour-coded books, as shown here, is one trick to try.
The case for a colour-coded home
If you have the luxury of shelving that covers a whole wall, treat it like a feature art installation and arrange your books in a fun, decorative way. Colour-coded books, as shown here, is one trick to try.
The case for a colour-coded home
8. Under the stairs
Here’s an under-the-stairs work area that makes use of every nook and cranny. Notice how the bookshelf actually sits behind the stairs? It naturally divides the shelf, so the bottom-right side can be used for notebooks, scrapbooks and reference books, while the top-left side can be used for fiction and fun books.
More under-stair storage ideas
Here’s an under-the-stairs work area that makes use of every nook and cranny. Notice how the bookshelf actually sits behind the stairs? It naturally divides the shelf, so the bottom-right side can be used for notebooks, scrapbooks and reference books, while the top-left side can be used for fiction and fun books.
More under-stair storage ideas
9. On the stairs
Sometimes, to find new storage space, all you need to do is take a look around you. Take this staircase, for example. Because each stair juts out slightly, there is a tiny amount of space underneath for a stack of thin books. Fill it up completely and you’ve got the most creative stair risers in town.
Sometimes, to find new storage space, all you need to do is take a look around you. Take this staircase, for example. Because each stair juts out slightly, there is a tiny amount of space underneath for a stack of thin books. Fill it up completely and you’ve got the most creative stair risers in town.
10. In the kitchen island
Naturally, a kitchen-based shelf would work as a great storage space for cookbooks and food magazines, but if you have the room for more, use it. Here, convenient cavities exist in the bulk of a kitchen island.
Naturally, a kitchen-based shelf would work as a great storage space for cookbooks and food magazines, but if you have the room for more, use it. Here, convenient cavities exist in the bulk of a kitchen island.
11. In every corner
Generally, when we think of bookshelves, we think of a horizontal shelf that runs across the length of a space and then stops. This wraparound shelf is a really fun way to buy yourself some extra storage and create an eye-catching look all at once.
Step inside this home
Generally, when we think of bookshelves, we think of a horizontal shelf that runs across the length of a space and then stops. This wraparound shelf is a really fun way to buy yourself some extra storage and create an eye-catching look all at once.
Step inside this home
12. Under the table
When it comes to coffee tables, we have all harboured dreams of creating a gorgeous collage of decor accessories – vases, coffee table tomes, candles, etc. But then real life sets in and our decorative items make way for remote controls and other clutter items. So, kill two birds with one stone: invest in a layered coffee table (or two) and create your ideal book stack on the bottom level, while leaving the top level for your cuppa.
When it comes to coffee tables, we have all harboured dreams of creating a gorgeous collage of decor accessories – vases, coffee table tomes, candles, etc. But then real life sets in and our decorative items make way for remote controls and other clutter items. So, kill two birds with one stone: invest in a layered coffee table (or two) and create your ideal book stack on the bottom level, while leaving the top level for your cuppa.
13. In a hidden shelf
Here’s a creative solution for those who don’t want to create an entire wall of shelving. As you can see, mini shelves run along the top of the wall in this house, creating an out-of-the-way but easy-to-access storage space (especially with the ladder). It’s also a great way to add interest to the upper third of your room if you live in a home with tall ceilings.
Here’s a creative solution for those who don’t want to create an entire wall of shelving. As you can see, mini shelves run along the top of the wall in this house, creating an out-of-the-way but easy-to-access storage space (especially with the ladder). It’s also a great way to add interest to the upper third of your room if you live in a home with tall ceilings.
14. Under the seat
Window seats or bench seats are a storage dream, but typically the seat lifts up, almost like a trunk, to reveal the storage. In this particular example, the storage is actually accessible from the front of the bench, which makes the bench extra versatile.
TELL US
Where have books found a place in your home? Share your tips and snaps in the Comments.
MORE
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Dream Spaces: Your Very Own Home Library
Stickybeak of the Week: A Bedroom Makes Way for Books and a Boyfriend
Window seats or bench seats are a storage dream, but typically the seat lifts up, almost like a trunk, to reveal the storage. In this particular example, the storage is actually accessible from the front of the bench, which makes the bench extra versatile.
TELL US
Where have books found a place in your home? Share your tips and snaps in the Comments.
MORE
Novel Ways to Put Your Books on Display
Dream Spaces: Your Very Own Home Library
Stickybeak of the Week: A Bedroom Makes Way for Books and a Boyfriend
If you’ve frantically taken over an alcove for your home office, you’ll know what it means to have limited space at home. Here’s an idea: work up. Add shelving above the desk – go all the way up to the ceiling if you have to; that’s what ladders are for – and fill with your latest editions.