Welcome to the ultimate guide to organizing your books in the living room. We’ve got everything you need to know about book storage and organizing, from the best way to arrange your bookshelves and where to store them, all the way down to how much space you need for each book.
For those of us who love books but haven’t quite figured out how best to store them, there are plenty of options out there that can help you make more efficient use of your space while keeping them close at hand.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Organize your books in a way that makes sense to you, whether that’s by genre, author, or color. |
| – Consider using bookends or bins to keep your books upright and in order. |
| – Make use of empty wall space by installing shelves or floating bookcases to store your books. |
| – Take a minimalist approach by keeping only the books that you truly love and read often. |
| – Add visual interest to your living room by displaying decorative items alongside your book collection. |
Bookshelves
Bookshelves are a great way to show off your books, even in the living room. While you can use them in any room of the house, they’re especially useful for creating an instantly more sophisticated look in your living room.
Bookshelves can be made from different materials like wood and metal, and they come in many different styles and sizes from built-in bookshelves that are part of the wall to free-standing ones that sit on legs.
They’ll add depth and colour as well as texture to any space!
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Storage Ottoman
A storage ottoman is a great way to store books. They can be made from a variety of materials, including wood and metal.
The size of the storage ottoman should be large enough to hold all of your books. If you have a lot of books, look for an oversized piece that will accommodate them all in one place rather than having them strewn about the room.
You should also consider how sturdy and durable the storage ottoman is going to be over time; if it’s made with flimsy materials, cracks could form in its surface as well as between joints over time especially if there are children living in your home who may sit or stand on top of it frequently (or even just occasionally).
Likewise, if children are not expected in your home then this may not be as much an issue but still worth considering nonetheless since there will no doubt come times when they might drop something heavy onto their foot while playing with toys nearby; best case scenario: nothing happens at all!
Worst case scenario: someone gets hurt badly enough that they require medical treatment (which means money spent at urgent care),
plus additional costs associated with replacing whatever item/s caused injury due to being dropped onto foot area because now its unusable due accident caused by poor construction quality among other things which could’ve been avoided had proper measures been taken beforehand… so remember kids – always read reviews carefully before buying anything online 🙂
Wall Shelves
Wall shelves are an essential piece of furniture for small spaces. They can be hung on the wall or attached to the side of a cabinet.
These shelves are perfect for displaying books, knickknacks and other items that may otherwise clutter your living room.
You can choose from several materials: wood, metal or plastic. When choosing your wall shelf material you’ll need to consider durability and weight capacity (especially if you have heavy books).
In addition to these considerations, think about whether or not you want natural colors such as birch wood with its warm brown tones or white marble for something more modern looking.
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Coffee Table
This is one of the most popular places to store books in the living room, and with good reason. The coffee table is a piece of furniture that can be used as a display, a reading surface and even as an accent piece.
If you have multiple coffee tables in your living room or other rooms throughout your home then you may want to consider using them each for different functions.
For example, if there are two end tables next to each other and they both have storage capacity then use one strictly for displaying items and leave the other available only for reading materials.
| Material | Dimensions | Price | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | 47.2″ L x 23.6″ W x 18.1″ H | $129.99 | VASAGLE |
| Glass | 39.5″ L x 23.5″ W x 17″ H | $105.00 | HOMCOM |
| Marble | 36″ L x 36″ W x 16″ H | $499.00 | West Elm |
| Metal | 31.5″ L x 31.5″ W x 18″ H | $123.74 | Walker Edison |
| Natural Wood | 37″ L x 19″ W x 17″ H | $159.99 | welland |
This table lists different types of coffee tables with their materials, dimensions, price, and brand. These products include brands like VASAGLE, HOMCOM, West Elm, Walker Edison, and welland, offering a range of options for book storage and display in the living room.
Modern Console Table
A modern console table is one of the best ways to display your books, especially if you have multiple shelves in your living room.
A console table is also a great place to put coffee cups and teas, which can add a lot of color and personality to your space. If you don’t have an entryway or foyer, it can serve as that too!
It’s important to remember that even though a modern console table may be used for holding drinks and displaying books, it should never be used as a side table or end table because they are designed differently than console tables.
However, they do make great book accessories when you need something extra in your living room!
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Decorative Ladders
If you’d like to create an area for your books and accessories, but don’t want the hassle of building a separate bookcase, a decorative ladder is your best bet.
Decorative ladders can be used to store books, towels and other items on the shelves (and in some cases even hang them). They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors and are easy to move around as well as clean.
Magazine Rack
If you’re looking for a solution that doesn’t require you to move your books, consider a magazine rack. Magazine racks are typically placed in the living room, bedroom or bathroom as they’re quite versatile. You can also use them to store newspapers if you have any lying around!
Book Baskets
Book baskets are a great way to organize books. They can be used as an accent piece, or they can be used more functionally to store and display books in your living room.
To make a book basket, start by taking some wooden frame pieces and painting them white or matching the color scheme of your living room furniture to match other accents in the room.
Once the frames have dried, fill them with fabric or faux fur (which we recommend for its softness) that matches any other accessories in this area of your home.
Next, place cardboard boxes on top of each other until you reach the desired height for your basket; glue those pieces together so that they won’t come apart when filled with heavy books!
Finally, add some handles made out of ribbon so that guests can lift up their treasured novels without damaging them
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Bookends
Bookends are a great way to store books, as they provide a sturdy place to put your books upright.
They’re also a good way of showing off your collection—you can have them on display in the living room or bedroom. Bookends can be decorative or functional, depending on the type you choose.
If you want something that will hold up your books while also serving as decor, consider using bookends with animal motifs like owls or deer. For example:
| Type | Material | Price | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geometric | Metal | $25.99 / pair | Umbra |
| Agate | Natural Stone | $36.99 / pair | Tomokazu |
| Wooden | Walnut Wood | $16.99 / pair | Dunwell |
| Decorative | Resin | $57.99 / pair | Bellaa |
| Heavy Duty | Steel | $21.99 / pair | Officemate |
This table lists different types of bookends with their respective materials, price, and brand. The products include brands like Umbra, Tomokazu, Dunwell, Bellaa, and Officemate, offering a range of options for book storage and display.
Built-In Bookshelves
If you’re lucky enough to have a niche in your living room that can support built-in bookshelves, we think you should take advantage of it.
They look fantastic and they’re the best way to store books. Built-in bookshelves are available in a variety of materials: wood, metal or glass. All of them will create an impressive library look if you want one (and who doesn’t?).
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Rustic Crate Bookshelf
If you’re looking for a way to use your books in the living room, consider this rustic crate bookshelf.
The idea is simple: stack up several crates and nestle them together like they were stacked on top of each other inside an actual wooden crate. You can then use it as a coffee table or side table or even decorate with some plants!
| Material | Dimensions | Price | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | 16.5″ L x 16.3″ W x 60″ H | $75.99 | Stone & Beam |
| Pine Wood | 24″ L x 9.8″ W x 37″ H | $59.99 | BarnwoodUSA |
| Paulownia Wood | 16.93″ L x 7.87″ W x 53.15″ H | $49.99 | Timeyard |
| Solid Wood | 22.67″ L x 9.57″ W x 65.98″ H | $120.00 | Del Hutson Designs |
| Reclaimed Wood | 17.5″ L x 8.25″ W x 41.5″ H | $119.00 | Del Hutson Designs |
This table lists a variety of rustic crate bookshelves of different materials, dimensions, and prices. The products listed include those from popular brands like Stone & Beam, BarnwoodUSA, Timeyard, Del Hutson Designs, and more.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the ways you can organize your books in the living room. There are so many more options out there, and we encourage you to experiment with them!
There’s no right or wrong way when it comes to organizing books as long as they’re stored in an attractive, functional manner, it doesn’t matter how they get there.
Further Reading
Here are some other helpful resources for organizing your books in your living room:
How to Organize Books: This article from The Spruce offers practical tips for organizing books by genre, color, author, and more.
How to Organize Bookshelves: Oprah Magazine shares expert tips and tricks on organizing and decorating bookshelves.
Organizing a Bookshelf: Homes & Gardens provide insights on organizing a bookshelf in a living room with minimal stylistic pitfalls.
FAQs
How do I organize my books in the living room?
You can organize your books in many different ways, such as by author, genre, color, or alphabetically.
What are some creative ways to organize books?
Some creative ways to organize books include arranging them by size, stacking them in a pyramid shape, or creating a rainbow bookshelf.
How do I choose the best bookshelf for my living room?
Consider the size, style, and number of books you have to find the right bookshelf for your living room.
Should I only display books in my living room?
No, you can also display decorative items, such as artwork, plants, or picture frames, alongside your books to add visual interest.
How often should I declutter my book collection?
It depends on your personal preference and the amount of space you have. Consider decluttering your book collection once or twice a year to keep your living room feeling organized.
Hi there! My name is Hellen James. I’m a professional decluttering expert who loves to help people get their homes in order. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life—from high school students to retirees and everything in between—to help them clear out clutter and make the most of their space so they can focus on what matters most to them.