There is the start of another monthly series called "organizing small spaces". In this series, I will be talking about creative ways to organize a small space.
Small spaces can be subjective to each person. My goal in this series is to help my visitors be inspired and look at their home differently so they can see creative solutions to make their house a home no matter what size it is. The first one in the series is book storage solutions for small spaces. Below each solution, I have included a visual example of what I am referring to. I hope it helps.
Here are 7 book storage solutions for small spaces:
Use a bookshelf as a headboard.
There are lots of headboards that house freestanding bookshelves out there. Here is an example of one.
Pro: If you like to read at night, this will store the books right where you need them. You also may be able to do away with your end table and save even more space.
Con: If you do not dust often, your books may get dusty and it may make it difficult to sleep because of the excess dust around you. If you have a large collection of books, this may be too small for you.
Use a blank wall and create your own bookcase and add a curtain to cover it when people stay over.
Just add shelves a very long curtain and a rod attached to the ceiling. By using your creativity, you can make the space useful. What wall are you not using?
Pro: Useful for clothes storage as well. You can incorporate other things besides books and clothing.
Con: You most likely will have space in the living room. Does that work for where you like to read or get dressed?
Turn an alcove into a reading nook:
Add lighting, bookcases, and seating and any space can become a reading nook.
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Pro: It's a great place to read with your young kids.
Con: It can be expensive and may not be possible if you rent an apartment.
Use under the stairs or the wall next to the stairs as a bookcase:
This is an oldie but goodie solution. I love the different use of storage solutions for stairs. There is a lot out there just Google it.
Pro: It's a go-to wasted space location and can really maximize a small space.
Con: Since it is on the steps, you may not be able to store many "frequently used items in this area.
Create a library in a wider hallway:
Lining the wider hallway with bookshelves works great to maximize space. My father had one where he lived years ago and it worked great because it was his go-to spot for everything. It was the entire length of the hallway.
Pro: You can easily access items when you need them.
Con: If you don't keep it covered with a curtain, it will get dusty and it can get messy easily.
Under the Bed Storage for Books:
You can raise your bed and add bookshelves to the bottom for easy access in a small space.
Feel free to check out our DIY storage for your young adult child.
Pro: It works great for smaller bedrooms where you can't fit a nightstand.
Con: If the bed needs to be pushed up against the wall, you may only be able to use a one-bed bookshelf side.
Create unique bookshelves on the wall.
This one can be fun for kids and adults. Make up a fancy pattern on the wall to hold shelves. This one is my favorite.
Pro: It may help the kids put their books away when you make them attractive for them to see.
Con: It can be hard to clean. And, if you do too many angles, you may not be able to add too many books in one area.
And my last book storage solution: Use the space above and around the doors and windows in your home.
This one always amazes me. I love the look. It makes the door a focal point. Look for space around windows and doors that are adjacent to a wall since you may not be able to put other pieces of furniture in that area.
Pro: You can maximize the space.
Con: If you change the door to a bookshelf, it may be heaving to move. It also may look a little cluttered and may be distracting to the eye.
Well, I hope you enjoyed my book storage solutions for small spaces. It was fun bringing all these images together to help you see the potential your home has.
Update 2022:
While finding places in a small home for books can be tricky, know that there are areas where books should not be kept because of the likelihood of damage to them. Below are the areas where you should NOT keep your treasured books.
Where NOT to KEEP TREASURED BOOKS in a Small Home?
Books should be kept in basements because they will probably be moisture resulting in waterlogged books.
Basement closets are sometimes dark and up against a wall which could result in a moisture issue as well.
A garage is not a good place to keep books because of the extreme change in temperature.
Books should not be stored in an outside Shed. Sheds are usually not insulated nor do they have air conditioning.
Keep books off the floor. Keeping stacks of books on the floor will create a fire hazard and can be dangerous to the elderly and small children.
Don't store books in the attics. As you shouldn't place photos in the attic because of temperature changes, books should not be left there either.
Don't keep books in cars. Some people will leave books in car trunks. The cars are not very well protected from the water. It could get wet if there is heavy rain.
Storing these items in an attic or basement needs proper care. Look into plastic bins with secure lids to protect them. Below are some I found on Amazon (affiliate).
Now it is your turn? Do you have any tips for book storage solutions for small spaces? Is there one that is your favorite? Please share below. I would love to hear from you.
Visit our other organizing small spaces posts.
SOLUTIONS TO HIDE CLUTTER IN YOUR SMALL HOME
SMALL NURSERY ORGANIZATION IDEAS
11 WAYS TO MAXIMIZE SPACE IN A TINY LIVING ROOM
HOW TO STORE CLOTHING IN REALLY SMALL SPACES
10 CLEVER SMALL KITCHEN ORGANIZING TIPS
HOW TO FIND WASTED STORAGE SPACES IN YOUR HOME
HOW TO CUSTOMIZE IKEA CABINETS FOR A SMALL SPACE
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
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Tatia
What a cool post Sabrina! It's fun for me to get up to date with decorative trends. I love the the book cases under the stairs idea. It almost adds a magical touch to the home. Thanks for sharing.
Sabrina
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Tatia! I really appreciate it.
Deb Lee
I love the "under the stairs" option ... such a great use of space!
William Rusho
These are great ideas. I really like the one with the book cases under the stairs. I wished I had as many books available to me as these people do.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Sabrina
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, William!
Rose Mary Griffith
I want one of each, Sabrina! Especially the reading nook surrounded by my favorite books. I'm very lucky to have two great pine bookcases my father built for me and an entertainment center that I use for books instead of--well, other entertainment!
Oh, and the small bookshelf he made me that serves as a nightstand. I was a spoiled daughter.
Off to petition husband for a couple of these great solutions for a house will little wall space!
Sabrina
Awesome, Rose Mary. Good luck. =)
Erica
This is really great. I used to live in NYC where almost everybody lives in a small space, so these tips can be really helpful. And the great thing is that they are all super cute. I used the books under the bed option with my husband this year. He is about to publish the first issue to his comic book series, and in meeting others in the industry, he gathered tons of comic books. They were laying all over the house until I had him get bins to put them under the bed. Much better. I love the bookcase as a headboard though I realized that living in earthquake-prone Los Angeles, that might not end well for me if the big one hits in the middle of the night.
Sabrina
Great idea to store the comic books under the bed, Erica. As for the bookshelf as a headboard, you can add two or more earthquake straps to studs in the wall and in the unit to keep the headboard in place. They work nicely. When my mom lived in LA, she used them for her tall bookcases. I have also seen shorter bookcase headboard also. =) Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Seana Turner
I have a wide hallway and I have always intended to use it for bookshelves. We've just never gotten around to having them put in! I think shelves are great for books, and also for "merchandising"... as long as there isn't too much clutter, of course:)
Sabrina
I would love to have a larger hallway. Mine is a standard width so I can't do it. But I do have a landing near my stairs that we added bookshelves to. It looks great and very useful for this wasted space. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Marquita Herald
Well since where I live can definitely be classified as a "small" space, I'm looking forward to following your series! These rooms are all lovely Sabrina, and while all the ideas are great I would just love to have a reading nook! Thanks for the great ideas. 🙂
Sabrina
I understand, Marquita. A reading nook seems to be the popular option this week. =) I love it too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Ken Dowell
Some good ideas. I have books all over the place. I especially liked the alcove bookcase.
Patricia Weber
These are all wonderful ideas Sabrina. They remind me of the Tiny House series on television. They had to maximize the use of space with doing things differently like these suggestions! My two favorites here are the aclove and around the doors.
Sabrina
Thanks, Patricia, I love the Tiny House series and that show inspired me to do this series. =)
lenie
Sabrina, I like the alcove one - can just picture my grandchildren curling up there. For myself, I like the last one best - bookshelves around and on the door. Lovely idea.
Sabrina
Sounds sweet, Lenie. I love that one too.
Phoenicia
Books glorious books!
I would be in my element. We have a wooden book shelf in our alcove at home. It is bursting at the seams. I like to see books in the home - creates a sense of homeliness.
When we eventually have a large house, a study and library will exist and I will no doubt spend hours in there.
Michele Harvey
Wonderful ideas for storing books as opposed to going totally digital. Books to me are like friends, it's hard to part with them so these suggestions are very timely.
Catarina
Excellent ideas for storing books in small spaces, Sabrina. Can't decide which one I like best.
Donna Janke
I love all these ideas for storing books, especially the alcove and under the stairs. As part of downsizing, we got rid of a lot of books and are trying not to collect too many more, but I love having books around.
Sabrina
That's great, Donna! Digital copies work best to keep books at bay. Thanks for commenting.