Creative Book Storage Solutions for Every Home and Budget
As a book lover, your book collection can be the most treasured part of your home, displayed as a centerpiece for all to see. But sometimes, your book collection seems to have a mind of its own, outgrowing its tidy shelves, unwieldy piles appearing in corners of every room. It happens to the best of us! Not to worry, there’s always an answer if you’re willing to think outside the box (or the traditional bookshelf). I’ve got 10 creative book storage solutions for homes of every shape and size, and for every budget.
Of course, the bigger your home, the less likely you’ll need to get creative. Got a room to spare? Turn it into a library! Personally, I’ve had to learn how to manage an ever-growing book collection in a variety of small apartments over the years. Having all of your books collected in one place is nice, but it’s much easier to find many separate nooks and crannies to turn into book storage. The key to this is being intentional about separating out certain types of books so you know where to look when you’re searching for a specific title. If you have a system for remembering where you keep what books, then you’ll find plenty of small and out-of-the-way spaces make for creative book storage solutions.
Books on Wheels
Rolling carts are a classic feature of libraries, and if you’re struggling to find space in your home to store your books, they could be a great solution for you too. There are plenty of cute, stylish carts that can work for books, like this one from Etsy ($289). Add pencils, bookmarks, a nice candle, snacks, and anything else you need to make it a portable reading companion. They can be relocated if you need to use the space where they usually live for a different purpose. Hot tip: Many small bookshelves can be transformed into a book cart by adding caster wheels. It’s an easy and cheap upgrade you can perform yourself.
Non-functional Design Features
Does your living space include antique features that add character without function, like a non-working fireplace or a waterless wet bar or a laundry chute to nowhere? Imbue them with new purpose by filling them with books! I used to live in a small apartment with a wood-burning fireplace that was no longer usable. So I did what any book lover desperate for more shelves would do: I turned it into a stylish book display. If it couldn’t be used to warm my body, it could at least be used to warm the heart and mind.
Unconventional Bookshelf Furniture
Let your favorite stories hold you up with a chair that doubles as book storage! For the luxe option, check out The Library Chair ($3,995), custom-made in Brooklyn by Alexander Love Designs. Or if you’re crafty, you can download plans to build your own bookshelf chair, loveseat, and coffee table for only $15.
Reclaimed Wood as Shelves
You’d be surprised by how many random objects in your home can find new life as bookshelves. Old ladders? Wooden pallets? Used crates? The sky’s the limit! It’s all in the placement. A quirky piece of old wood placed in just the right corner of your home can look really stylish, especially with a fresh coat of paint. You can let someone else do the reclaiming for you by shopping on Etsy, like with these reclaimed wooden pallet shelves ($30).
Face-out Shelves for Tight Spaces
If you’ve got a hallway or another narrow space in your home, you can still find room to store your books. And if you display your books flat against the wall, they can double as art! Just make sure to pick your prettiest books, or trade them out seasonally to match the mood. These shelves from Etsy come in a variety of sizes and finishes, starting at only $18. But if you’ve got some basic woodworking skills, it could also make for a great DIY project.
Surround Your Bed
Surround your bed with books and you’ll never have to worry about finding bedtime reading material again. You can find all kinds of fancy bed frames and headboards with book storage, like this set from Pottery Barn ($2,676) with a platform featuring under-bed bookshelves on three sides and two bookshelves as side tables. For a more affordable option, you can get a tall bed frame and low-slung bookshelves that fit underneath the frame.
Turn a Closet into a Mini Library
Not all of us are blessed with ample storage space, but if you’re lucky enough to have a spare hall closet or other small storage area, consider turning it into a mini library. It can be as simple as using built-in shelves to display your books or involve redesigning the space with library shelves and a comfy seat to make it into a reading nook. Add a custom library sign ($83) to make it extra special.
Under-the-Table Storage
You won’t even have to leave the couch to grab your next read when you get a coffee table with space for books. This one ($425) has a simple design that can fit a lot of books or a stylish, carefully curated stack. You’ll also find that many low bookshelves can double as coffee tables.
Look Up
If you’re struggling to find places to display your books, try looking a little higher. Hang floating bookshelves above doorways or windows, or along flat expanses where your ceilings change height. Store cookbooks in blank spaces above kitchen cabinets. Utilizing the higher portions of your walls looks glamorous and makes use of space that otherwise might be ignored. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend using this method for books you peruse frequently, unless you also want to invest in one of the cool rolling library ladders. When your bookshelves are placed higher, you can even get creative and use them for lighting, like with this floating bookshelf with hanging bulbs ($299).
Hidden Bookcase Door
Have you ever dreamed of having your own hidden room disguised by a bookcase? You can make that dream come true with a few tools, some wood, and comprehensive DIY instructions for all skill levels ($17). Alternatively, you can get a premade door from Home Depot made to your specifications, starting at $1,219. And what to hide behind that bookcase disguise? Why, more books, of course.
We hope these creative book storage solutions helped you find a new way to make your home more bookish! Check out these articles for more ideas:
Book Storage for Small Spaces: 11 Creative Solutions
