There is no one method that works for all bookcase arrangements. Whichever order you choose—alphabetically, by genre, by height, or in some other way—as long as you can find what you’re looking for and are satisfied with the way it seems, that’s all that matters.

On the other hand, attractive bookshelves can improve the atmosphere as part of living room organisation and inspire us to pick up a book more frequently. Organising a bookshelf will probably take you the better part of an afternoon, depending on how many books you have in your collection. But once you’ve chosen an approach suitable for you, maintaining a visual aesthetic is easy, especially when sentimental possessions, pictures, and artwork accompany it.

So, let’s take a look at some simple ideas to organise your books in a bookcase. 

Where To Start?

Whether it’s a home office or a comfortable living area, there’s something about a tastefully stocked bookshelf that gives it that little extra flair. However, elegant book organisation doesn’t just appear. Creating something both practical and marvellous requires a lot of effort and consideration.

Declutter

Prior to organising a bookshelf or shelves, it is crucial to first go through the books and get rid of or donate those that are no longer needed.

Heavier Objects

Make sure to put any heavy items, such as art books or storage boxes, on the lower shelves when arranging a bookshelf. Paperback books and other lightweight items should be placed on the top. As a result, the effect will be more balanced, and the shelves will be stronger and safer.

Adjusting The Shelving Height 

Arrange any big books you have in your collection on an adjustable shelf. No adjustable shelves? Think about laying them down with their spines outward and stacking a number of them, one on top of the other.

Organisation Ideas

Here are some ideas for creating a level of bookshelf organisation fit for a library that is functional and great to look at.

Favourite Books In A Group 

If you have a tendency to pick up the same books often, consider gathering them together in one place. Pick a spot on the bookshelf and organise all your favourite books in one place. As a result, they’ll be easy to locate whenever you want or need the consolation of a familiar or treasured book.

Alphabetically

It is suggested to adopt an alphabetised approach if the bookshelf is one you use frequently. While there may be more creative methods to organise and categorise books, finding what you’re looking for is unquestionably easy and quick.

If you alphabetise by title, you’ll likely have a lot of books that start with ‘A’ and ‘The,’ so skip the first word and organise by the second word instead. To avoid confusion, make sure to inform every member of the household. Similar to how booksellers and libraries operate, another alternative is to arrange according to the author’s last name.

Decor Items As Book Dividers

Instead of simply putting your books on a shelf, consider using artwork to create a visual barrier between different the following:

• Genres
• Authors
• Colours
• Styles

Incorporate prints, objects, and vases that offer interest and visual breaks to rest the eyes and draw focus away from worn or tattered literature.

Genre

Organising books by genre is excellent whether you’re planning a home library or frequently choosing books based on your mood. For instance, keep it simple with fiction and non-fiction, or you may categorise items into broad categories like: 

• Action
• Mystery
• Romance
• Fantasy

Since there may be some overlap, create a record of where you’ve put your books for convenience.

Height

If you’re looking for clever living room bookshelf ideas, grouping books that are the same height and width can give your collection a neat, streamlined appearance. On the other hand, you could play around with alternative arrangements based on the aesthetic you’re trying for and how practical you want your organisation to be. 

Consider arranging shorter books in the centre and taller books on the edges, or alternate the shelves so that the tallest book is on one shelf, the shortest book is on the next, and so forth.

Stacks

Large hardcover books take up space and might be overwhelming when stacked upright on a bookshelf. They should be stacked with the spines facing outward and the largest book at the bottom. If your shelf is at eye level, place a book with an appealing front cover on top.

Stacking is a useful technique for distinguishing between different kinds of publications, such as:

• Non-fiction
• Recipe
• Reference volumes

The Rainbow Effect

While not the most practical approach, arranging a bookshelf by colour is undoubtedly the most visually appealing and one way to style a bookcase. Unless you recall books by their covers, it’s best to keep them on bookshelves you don’t use very often. 

To achieve an eye-catching ombre effect, arrange book jacket colours from dark to light, bottom to top – black, navy, and charcoal volumes on the top shelf, white on the bottom, and all other colours in between. If you don’t have enough books or want to fill your shelves with all the colours of the rainbow, colour-block them to match the decor of your space.

Organising Your Bookshelf Is A Method To Creating A Focal Point In A Room

A bookshelf’s arrangement in a house is a matter of preference; it’s only necessary to follow a predetermined system if that’s what you prefer. But there are various other approaches you could take to the process, so take the time to figure out which arrangement works for you and your household. 

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With extensive experience, Maxim Furniture has been in the industry since 1993. If you are looking to get a high quality bookcase for your home, we offer a wide range of bookcases in Malaysia. For more information, you can contact us or call us at 03-56350060.