20 Bookshelf Organizing Tips That Will Transform Your Library
And get your Zoom backdrop gleaming.
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In this era of Zoom meetings, our bookshelves speak volumes. Talking to OprahMag.com, author Lily King confessed that she was wary of audiences scanning her shelves during her virtual book tour. “It just makes me really uneasy. It's like, "No, no, don't judge me," she said.
As King points out, so often, our bookshelves are forms of self-expression. “They speak to your personality,” Nikki Klugh, an interior designer based in San Diego, CA, says. “They can express your style, what’s important to you, and what you value."
There are countless approaches to organizing bookshelves. While Klugh recommends grouping books by color for aesthetic purposes, those with a lot of tomes may want to stack them by genre or alphabetically so you can access them more efficiently. For a more streamlined look, arrange books by height, with the tallest on both sides of the shelves.
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.
"Edit" Your Shelves
"Edit," of course, being a polite way of saying "pare your book collection back." Andrea Walker of Smartly Organized acknowledges it can be hard getting rid of books.
"People hoard books and the knowledge that's in them. They feel like if they let the book go, they're letting the knowledge go," she says. However, she encourages you to consider how often you really use the book, and decide whether or not to keep it. You'll need room on the shelf for other belongings.
Start With a Clean Slate
No matter what you put on your shelves, Klugh says the process of redecorating should always begin with the same step: A clean slate. "Take everything off your shelf and keep only the things that you love," Klugh says.
Add in Objects
That's right: Bookshelves aren't just for books. Amy Kartheiser, principal at Amy Kartheiser Design, recommends mixing objects between books. A few ideas? Family photos in a frame, items in a statement bowl, heirlooms; a propped up plate, or small vases with blooms. 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. "It creates variety."
Embrace the Rainbow
Rainbow bookshelves are a controversial topic in the book world. But for interior designers, they make sense. According to Klugh, grouping books by color can create a sense of order. If you don't need to reference the books often, Klugh says, rainbow is an aesthetically pleasing format. Walker puts it another way: Color-coded shelves "quiets the visual clutter."
As for what order the rainbow spectrum should go in? Emilie Dulles of Dulles Designs' method is to go from dark to light, bottom to top—with black, navy, and charcoal books on the top shelf, and white books on the top shelf. In between come the colors.
Even if you're not creating a full rainbow spectrum, Klugh recommends grouping books by hue to complement the room's palette.
Organize Alphabetically or By Genre
Designers agree that if the books won't be moved from your shelves often, the color-coding is the most aesthetically pleasing route. But it's not always the most functional.
"When your collection is extremely large and referenced often, having an organizational system that makes it easy to find what you are looking for when you need it becomes more important. In these cases, opt for organizing your collection alphabetically by author or by genre, then author if the collection is comprehensive," Michele Vig, founder and chief organizer with Neat Little Nest, says.
Think in Odd Numbers
Klugh recommends working with odd numbers when decorating shelves with objects. She illustrates an example using vases: Get one tall vase, one medium, round vase, and one small, wide vase. Or, get three objects of the same color but different textures." Stagger the objects and group them so that they feel like one, so that they're overlapping in front of each other," Klugh says.
Separate Your Hardcovers and Paperbacks
From alphabetical organization to grouping by subject, everyone has their own organizational strategy. But to create a sense of visual balance, consider separating your hardcover and paperbacks.
"Place your hardcovers on top shelves, and your paperbacks at the bottom. 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.
Layers, Layers, Layers
"Layering provides height and interest on your shelves," Carissa Miller, interior designer and founder of CC and Mike Creative, says.
She recommends stacking books and placing a box or candlesticks on top of the pile. The same trick works for artwork and framed photos. "Art can also be layered nicely by framing a larger abstract or simple black and white family photo with a smaller framed piece of art layered in front of it," she says.
Use Baskets to Your Advantage
According to Miller, baskets can be used as storage and styling objects. "Baskets of all shapes, sizes, and textures can be used on bookshelves to take up space and provide texture and interest," she says. Some options? Wicker baskets, woven baskets, storage baskets with lids, and even graphic printed baskets.
Show Off Your Collections and "Travel Treasures"
Not sure what to do with that shotglass or seashell collection? Gather them for their debut on your bookshelves. "Whatever your interests are, it's good to bring them together, that way they have the biggest impact," Klugh says.
She recommends placing any travel souvenirs together for reminders of trips.Michiel Perry of Black Southern Belle takes it a step further. She places travel books about a specific place next to items from that place. For example, pair rocks from an Aegean beach with a travel book about Greece.
Make Things Pop With Colored Glass
Colored glassware is equally great for dinner parties and for adding pops of vibrant elegance to bookshelves. “Colorful glassware can can also add an unexpected source of delight to your shelves," glassblower Cheryl Saban, founder of Saban Glass, says.
Use the Two-Thirds Rule
To avoid overcrowding, Klugh recommends using the "two-thirds rule." Keep each shelf two-thirds full, allowing for some empty space, or a place to put an object or two. "Open space is important. It allows your eyes to rest, so what you're taking in isn't overstimulating. You can see the other amazing things there," she says.
Embrace the Book Stack
Designers also recommend mixing up how you arrange the books. According to Jamie Novak, designer and author of Keep This, Not That, only 70% should be shelved vertically and the remaining 30% placed horizontal. The horizontal books can be used as platforms to highlight accessories (layers, people!).
Arrange Books by Height
When organizing books by height in a single shelf, one rule of thumb is to think in a "Z" pattern. Darla DeMorrow of HeartWork Organizing explains the method. The top shelf can have tall books on the left, low on the right. The shelf underneath should be the opposite: Tall books on the right, low books on the left. Let the pattern continue all the way down.
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. "The goal isn’t to create a perfect-Z or a perfect wave pattern, but to gently guide your eye to the interesting bits of your collection," she says.
Bring Books to the Front of the Shelf
Resist the impulse to push books toward the back wall. Instead, bring them forward.
"My favorite tip is so simple," DeMorrow says. "Move all the books to meet the front edge of the bookshelf, giving a uniform look and eliminating telltale dust."
Use Wallpaper or Paint to Create a Bold Backdrop
Kartheiser recommends creating a bold backdrop by painting the area or lining it with color that coordinates with the other rooms. She also offers a DIY tip: Cut out foam board, cover it with fabric, and press it to the back of each shelf for a faux wallpaper look.
Place Heavier Objects on Bottom Shelves
Rule of thumb, according to Klugh: Put heavier objects, like art books or storage bins, on the bottom of the shelves. Lighter objects, like paperbacks, should go toward the top. "You want to feel like it's well rounded," Klugh says of the bookshelf.
Think in Themes
When gathering items to put on the shelf, designer Courtney Turk recommends thinking in themes—whether colors, materials, places, or subject matter. "Each piece doesn’t have to 'match' but if they all encompass the same theme, something cohesive will naturally take shape," she says.
Put Your Favorite Books Front and Center
Highlight the books you love by using a bookstand. "Whatever book you choose to feature on a stand will say something unique about you, what you love, where you’ve been, and where you want to go in the future," art instructor at TakeLessons Eileen Murphy says.
Take a Picture of Your Final Design
Your shelves will shift over time. Remember them at their best by taking a picture when you're done. That way, you can always restore them back to their best look.
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