Expert Eye: How to Declutter Your Bookshelf
An easy-to-follow guide to reclaiming your love of reading by decluttering your bookshelves
Do you wish you had more time to snuggle up on the sofa with a good book? Even though you have bookshelves full of books, do you feel like you have nothing to read? Decluttering your bookshelf may be the thing you need to revive your love of reading.
The first step to creating more time to read is actually to stand in front of your bookshelf and notice it, notice what it looks and feels like. What books are there, what decorations are displayed, have other items crept onto the shelves over the years?
Declutter decorations
What may surprise you is how many ornaments and decorations are being kept on your bookshelves. You probably never intended to convert your bookshelf into a cluttered space but decorations, unless intentionally placed and styled as seen here, will usually make a bookshelf look and feel messy.
3 satisfying decluttering jobs done in 60 minutes
What may surprise you is how many ornaments and decorations are being kept on your bookshelves. You probably never intended to convert your bookshelf into a cluttered space but decorations, unless intentionally placed and styled as seen here, will usually make a bookshelf look and feel messy.
3 satisfying decluttering jobs done in 60 minutes
Before we can see the books we have, decluttering the decorations covering them up is important. Take every single item that’s not a book off the bookshelf. Once you’ve finished decluttering your books you can return any decorations that you love and want to display. Be selective and don’t overcrowd the shelves.
Round one
Now that all you have left on your bookshelf are books, it’s time to do the first round of decluttering.
At this point, I suggest picking out 10 books you can donate without really needing to make a decision. Books you didn’t enjoy, never read, or that don’t suit your style anymore can be removed for donation straight away.
Now that all you have left on your bookshelf are books, it’s time to do the first round of decluttering.
At this point, I suggest picking out 10 books you can donate without really needing to make a decision. Books you didn’t enjoy, never read, or that don’t suit your style anymore can be removed for donation straight away.
Make quick decisions and put them straight into a box ready to donate. If you found donating 10 books easy, try decluttering 20 or 30 and see how you go.
Read more stories about organisation
Read more stories about organisation
Honesty time
Invariably there will be books in your bookshelf that you’ve tried to read, or felt that you should read but never really got into. It’s ok not to finish a book you’re not enjoying and it’s ok to declutter these books too.
Even if it was highly recommended to you or top of a bestseller list, if it isn’t your cup of tea, sending it to the op-shop will mean someone else will get to enjoy it.
Invariably there will be books in your bookshelf that you’ve tried to read, or felt that you should read but never really got into. It’s ok not to finish a book you’re not enjoying and it’s ok to declutter these books too.
Even if it was highly recommended to you or top of a bestseller list, if it isn’t your cup of tea, sending it to the op-shop will mean someone else will get to enjoy it.
Best intentions
Are there books you’ve always intended to read but never made the time for? Do they make you feel a little bit guilty every time you see them? Have they been sitting on your shelf for years gathering dust?
Are there books you’ve always intended to read but never made the time for? Do they make you feel a little bit guilty every time you see them? Have they been sitting on your shelf for years gathering dust?
Sometimes the hardest books to declutter are the tomes where someone has written a beautiful inscription inside the cover for you. If you find these difficult, you could take a photo of the inscription so you always remember it. Then you’ll feel less guilty about sending the book for donation.
The art of decluttering
The art of decluttering
Curated library
What you should end up with after a good declutter of your books, are books you love, books you can’t wait to read and books that bring you joy and happiness. The number of books kept will be different for each person. Just remember that if you have more books than room on bookshelves the decision needs to be made whether you further curate your library or buy more bookshelves to house your collection.
What you should end up with after a good declutter of your books, are books you love, books you can’t wait to read and books that bring you joy and happiness. The number of books kept will be different for each person. Just remember that if you have more books than room on bookshelves the decision needs to be made whether you further curate your library or buy more bookshelves to house your collection.
Then…
Consider creating a reading nook, or placing an armchair near natural light so reading continues to be a pleasurable pastime for you.
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See more beautiful spaces for book lovers
Consider creating a reading nook, or placing an armchair near natural light so reading continues to be a pleasurable pastime for you.
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like it, share it, bookmark and tell us below. Join the conversation.
More
See more beautiful spaces for book lovers
Almost every home has a bookshelf in it, and whether it houses a library of treasured books or just old textbooks, you’ve probably become used to how it looks so don’t even notice it when you walk past anymore.