13 Ways to Make Space for All Your Books
Here's how to cater for your love of the old-fashioned kind of reading matter
If you can’t bear the thought of being without a shelf or two (or many more) filled with the thoughts of others, then consider these great ways to make storing your books (a) look great, (b) fit in unused pockets of your home and (c) create statements of style (and erudition!).
2. Dedicate a whole wall
You don’t need a grand library room (but wouldn’t that be nice) to create a bookish mood. This living space is made into a reading place by quite simple white shelving lining an entire wall. Colour-coding your books (if you have compliant spines to work with) makes for a highly effective design component.
You don’t need a grand library room (but wouldn’t that be nice) to create a bookish mood. This living space is made into a reading place by quite simple white shelving lining an entire wall. Colour-coding your books (if you have compliant spines to work with) makes for a highly effective design component.
5. Make use of balustrades
A dividing balustrade in a split-level space can easily be built-in to make a home for your dog-eared friends. They’ll call to you every time you pass by, tempting you to spend a bit of time in your favourite chair.
A dividing balustrade in a split-level space can easily be built-in to make a home for your dog-eared friends. They’ll call to you every time you pass by, tempting you to spend a bit of time in your favourite chair.
6. Instead of a wall
The back of kitchen cupboards could look boring, or you could fill them with shelving. Even if you don’t have tonnes of books, mix them up with ornaments. It will add to the warm homely feel.
The back of kitchen cupboards could look boring, or you could fill them with shelving. Even if you don’t have tonnes of books, mix them up with ornaments. It will add to the warm homely feel.
7. Work around what’s there
Thinking outside the square has done wonders in this room, just proving that if you look around your place with your mind open, you will find many a spot to transform with books.
Thinking outside the square has done wonders in this room, just proving that if you look around your place with your mind open, you will find many a spot to transform with books.
8. Create window wells
The simple need to have somewhere to put some books has formed a new feature in this room, with the pleasure of a deep windowsill that you’d never have had if it weren’t for your love of books.
The simple need to have somewhere to put some books has formed a new feature in this room, with the pleasure of a deep windowsill that you’d never have had if it weren’t for your love of books.
9. Opt for novel ideas
Why let an opportunity swing by? The need to create privacy by night and light by day in this Australian home has led to a storage solution that’s highly inventive, deadset urbane and very useful to boot.
Why let an opportunity swing by? The need to create privacy by night and light by day in this Australian home has led to a storage solution that’s highly inventive, deadset urbane and very useful to boot.
10. Locate unused nooks
A landing on a stairwell that has a bit of extra width can be all you need to solve your book-storing issues … or some of them, perhaps. A bold colour contrast in the paintwork makes a feature of it.
A landing on a stairwell that has a bit of extra width can be all you need to solve your book-storing issues … or some of them, perhaps. A bold colour contrast in the paintwork makes a feature of it.
11. Double up as room dividers
A freestanding shelf can be a brilliant way to divide a room, and squeeze in a little extra book capacity. A simple cube design, without a backing panel, is perfect for the job.
A freestanding shelf can be a brilliant way to divide a room, and squeeze in a little extra book capacity. A simple cube design, without a backing panel, is perfect for the job.
12. Build in recessed shelving
Find space where it doesn’t seem to exist – you have to be ingenious if you are a serious keeper of books. Recessed into the wall, these bookshelves climb up the space echoing the stairs below them. A relatively narrow shelving system is all you need for all those paperback types. And don’t forget the space under the stairs can also provide a great spot, and is deep enough to fill with weighty tomes.
Find space where it doesn’t seem to exist – you have to be ingenious if you are a serious keeper of books. Recessed into the wall, these bookshelves climb up the space echoing the stairs below them. A relatively narrow shelving system is all you need for all those paperback types. And don’t forget the space under the stairs can also provide a great spot, and is deep enough to fill with weighty tomes.
13. Turnover a spare room
If you can, dedicate a space that can be fully absorbed by bookish pursuits. Perhaps the spare bedroom that spends too much time waiting for guests (there’s always the sofa bed option for sleeping visitors)? This design shows how to make just such a conversion into a truly transforming experience. The ceiling detailing adds a warm library feel and the lighting is set up right for the job at hand to show off the books and illuminate the pages. If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own library, this room probably comes closest to making that achievable in the average-sized house.
If you can, dedicate a space that can be fully absorbed by bookish pursuits. Perhaps the spare bedroom that spends too much time waiting for guests (there’s always the sofa bed option for sleeping visitors)? This design shows how to make just such a conversion into a truly transforming experience. The ceiling detailing adds a warm library feel and the lighting is set up right for the job at hand to show off the books and illuminate the pages. If you’ve ever dreamed of having your own library, this room probably comes closest to making that achievable in the average-sized house.
In the city where I grew up, there is a beautiful old library with mezzanine floors all round where only the properly qualified can go. Ever since first standing in that special room, I’ve been attracted to the idea of ascending spiral stairs to find a book.