Small spaces can be subjective to each person. My goal in this series is to inspire my visitors and help them look at their homes differently, so they can see creative solutions to make their houses a home, regardless of their size. The first one in the series is book storage (affiliate) solutions for small spaces. Below each solution, I have included a visual example of what I refer to. I hope it helps. This marks the beginning of another monthly series, titled "Organizing Small Spaces." In this series, I will discuss creative ways to organize a small space.
Jump to:
- Use a bookshelf as a headboard.
- Use a blank wall and make your customized bookcase. Then, add a curtain to cover it when people stay over.
- Turn an alcove into a reading nook:
- Use under the stairs or the wall next to the stairs as a bookcase:
- Create a library in a wider hallway:
- Under the Bed Storage for Books:
- Create unique bookshelves on the wall.
- Use the space above and around the doors and windows in your home.
- Update 2024:
- Where NOT to KEEP TREASURED BOOKS in a Small Home?
- Visit our other organizing small spaces posts.
Here are seven book storage (affiliate) solutions for small spaces.
Use a bookshelf as a headboard.
Many headboards (affiliate) feature freestanding bookshelves (affiliate). 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 may also be able to eliminate your end table and save even more space.
Con: If you do not dust often, your books may get dusty, and the excess dust around you may make it difficult to sleep. This may be too small for you if you have a large collection of books.
Use a blank wall and make your customized bookcase. Then, add a curtain to cover it when people stay over.
You can make the space useful by adding shelves (affiliate), a very long curtain, and a rod attached to the ceiling. Use your creativity. 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.
Pro: It's a great place to read with your young kids.
Con: Making these adjustments can be expensive and impossible 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 storage solutions for stairs. There is a lot out there; just Google it.
Pro: It's a go-to wasted space location and can maximize a small space.
Con: Since it is on the steps, you may be unable to store many "frequently used items in this area.
Create a library in a wider hallway:
Lining the wider hallway with bookshelves (affiliate) works excellently 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 cover it with a curtain, it will get dusty and messy easily.
Under the Bed Storage for Books:
You can raise your bed and add bookshelves (affiliate) to the bottom for easy access in a small space.
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 (affiliate) side.
Feel free to check out our DIY storage for your young adult child.
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 (affiliate). This one is my favorite.
Pro: Making the bookshelves (affiliate) on the wall attractive may help the kids put their books away when you make them appealing for them to see.
Con: It can be hard to clean. If you do too many angles, you may not be able to add too many books in one area.
Use the space above and around the doors and windows in your home.
And, the last one of my book storage (affiliate) solutions always amazes me. I love the look. It makes the door a focal point. Look for space around windows and doors adjacent to a wall since you may not be able to fit other pieces of furniture (affiliate) in that area.
Pro: You can maximize the space.
Con: If you change the door to a bookshelf (affiliate), 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. Combining all these images was fun to help you see your home's potential.
Update 2024:
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. Below are the places 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 likely be exposed to moisture, which can result in waterlogged books.
Basement closets are often dark and located against a wall, which can also lead to moisture issues.
A garage (affiliate) is not a good place to keep books because of the extreme change in temperature.
Books should not be stored in an outside Shed (affiliate). Sheds (affiliate) are usually not insulated, nor do they have air conditioning.
Keep books off the floor. 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. Books should not be left there as you shouldn't place photos in the attic because of temperature changes.
Don't keep books in cars. Some people will leave books in car trunks (affiliate). The cars are not very well protected from the water. It could get wet if there is heavy rain.
Proper care is needed when storing these books in an attic or basement. To protect them, look into plastic bins with secure lids. If you need help staying focused and being accountable for your organizing projects, I can help. Check out my Virtual Organizing Services and schedule a session today!
Now it is your turn? Do you have any tips for book storage (affiliate) 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
Tatia says
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 says
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Tatia! I really appreciate it.
Deb Lee says
I love the "under the stairs" option ... such a great use of space!
Rose Mary Griffith says
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 says
Awesome, Rose Mary. Good luck. =)
William Rusho says
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 says
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, William!
Erica says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Some good ideas. I have books all over the place. I especially liked the alcove bookcase.
Patricia Weber says
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 says
Thanks, Patricia, I love the Tiny House series and that show inspired me to do this series. =)
lenie says
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 says
Sounds sweet, Lenie. I love that one too.
Phoenicia says
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 says
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 says
Excellent ideas for storing books in small spaces, Sabrina. Can't decide which one I like best.
Donna Janke says
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 says
That's great, Donna! Digital copies work best to keep books at bay. Thanks for commenting.