Organising your bookshelves can feel like a daunting task, especially if you have a lot of reading material to arrange. However, after you have chosen a system that fits your needs and collection, it’s very easy to keep your shelves looking beautiful. Find cheap bookshelves that fit your budget on Junk Mail right now. Looking for books for sale? Browse through over 6 000 novels, magazines, textbooks and more!

There's no one-size-fits-all way to organise a bookshelf, but it's important to find the ideal fit for your needs and the aesthetic you have in mind. You can sort your books by genre, book height, or in alphabetical order depending on what you’re in the mood for or the look you’re going for.

Different ways to organise your bookshelves/books

A well-designed and comfortable bookshelf can add warmth and character to any space, whether it’s a home studio or a cosy living room. However, it takes a lot of thought and planning to make sure that your bookshelves are both functional and attractive. Here’s how to go about it:

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1. Declutter your shelves first

Before you start organising your bookshelves, it’s crucial that you sort through your books first and distinguish between what you want to keep, and what you might want to get rid of. But before you make any hasty decisions regarding which books you don’t want anymore, you need to ask yourself the following questions first:

• Do I like the book – Don’t keep books you don’t like except if you think that they could benefit you somehow in the future.
• Would I ever reread it – If you're not interested in rereading it but think that someone else would enjoy it, then giving it away is the best thing to do.
• Does it have any sentimental value – If it has sentimental value, keep it. If you received books that are considered family treasures, avoid taking them away.
• Is it worth anything – While you may want to keep certain books for no specific reason, remind yourself that they may have some financial value. You can place an advert on Junk Mail to sell them right now.
• Have I read this book – If you have a habit of buying more books than you have time to read, really think about whether you will eventually pick it up. If you’re in doubt, pack away, gift, donate, or sell.

When you’ve set aside the books you don’t want or need, place free adverts on Junk Mail and sell them today.

2. Pick modern shelves for your books

If you're not able to fit a full-sized bookshelf into your living room or bedroom, consider using floating bookshelves. These are incredibly useful if you have limited floor space and want to display a few books. These can be installed over a desk or in a small living area.

3. Group your favourite books together

Organise all the books you frequently pick up and place them in one area so that you can easily find them. It's much faster than searching all over the house when you get the urge to read a specific book and can’t find it anywhere.

4. Organise books alphabetically

Books can be arranged in alphabetical order using the author's last name, similar to how libraries and bookshops arrange theirs. If you have a large collection of books this method could work well for you.

5. Group your books by genre

One of the most effective ways to organise books is by genre. Whether you're planning to create a home library or prefer to place books based on your mood, organising them by genre is a great way to keep track of all of your favourite reads. On top of that, you can also break them down into various categories such as romance, fantasy, and action. Having a log of all your books will help keep track of all of your purchases, and depending on the size of your home library, help you avoid purchasing something you already own.

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6. Organise your book by colour

One of the most fun ways to organise a bookshelf is to arrange it according to the colour of the book’s spine. This method is very pleasing aesthetically and can be used to style a room or bring it to life. As an added bonus, having a colour-coordinated bookshelf can make it easier for your child to place their reads back into the correct space, and it can help them find their favourite book even before they start reading.

7. Organise your books by height

For the reader who prefers a more visual order when looking at their bookshelf, this is the ideal way to organise your books. It involves arranging books according to their height, from low to high or vice versa. You can also choose to go from the thickest to the thinnest book in the middle then thicker as it moves outward again. There are plenty of creative options to consider.

8. Reserve space for your favourite books

This is a great way to create a small grouping of books that you can easily access whenever you’re in the mood for one of them, away from your main organisational system. Place them on easy-reach shelves, or use book stacks or object storage to separate them from the rest of your home library. People who are passionate about reading may find this strategy useful as it allows them to easily find and navigate through the various titles in their dedicated reading area.

Only do this once you have all of your books placed where you want them to be. After that is done, try to introduce some of your favourite decor items to your bookshelves in a space that’s empty. You should never include smaller items than an orange on your shelves, as this will make the space look cluttered. If you’re adding a plant, ensure that any watering you might do won’t have an effect on the surrounding books.

Photo by Mihai Surdu on Unsplash

As much as there is no right or wrong way to organise your bookshelf, it's still important that you determine what you like most and how it will fit within the space it will occupy. If you’ve been thinking about reorganising your bookshelves, try out the suggestions in our article, you will surely find the ideal way to arrange your books. Do you want to add more literature to your shelves? Search for your favourite books for sale on Junk Mail now.