There’s something so satisfying about well-organized bookshelves. They can display your prized possessions in a way that is intuitive, functional, or just plain beautiful. If you’re looking for a project to tackle while practicing social distancing, consider reorganizing your shelves! We know it can be tough to know exactly where to begin, so we’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to organize your bookshelves and some stunning Instagram snapshots to give you a glimpse of the full effect. Read on and get inspired!
By spine color
This artsy shelving solution turns your bookshelf into a work of art. Wow your guests with a literary rainbow.
Best for readers who: Want their bookshelves to be a focal point of their home.
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Alphabetically
This is a classic for a reason. With this system, you’ll never have to wonder where your favorites are.
Best for readers who: Want to be able to find books quickly.
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By genre
Why should your nonfiction books mingle with your poetry? This is a fairly intuitive organizational structure, and we like it.
Best for readers who: Tend to read in multiple genres.
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By when you read them
This way, you only have to think about when you read a book in order to locate it on your shelves! Make sure to leave room for the books you haven’t read yet.
Best for readers who: Remember every book they’ve ever read.
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By publication date
The upside of this system is that new releases can just be shelved one right after the other.
Best for readers who: Have an excellent memory for pub dates.
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By publisher
Do you have a thing for Tor? Do you lust after Avon romances? Shelve your books accordingly.
Best for readers who: Love specific publishing houses and imprints.
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By height
Make a nice, clean line on your shelves when you organize your books from shortest to tallest (or vice versa).
Best for readers who: Want to do something unusual with their shelves.
By primary setting
Divide your shelves into East, West, North, and South and shelve accordingly. Good luck with those road trip novels, though.
Best for readers who: Tend to focus on setting when they read.
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By whether or not you plan to reread them
Books you’re likely to open should be within easy reach. Books you’re done with can hang out in the hard-to-reach spots.
Best for readers who: Value easy access to reading material.
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By your monthly TBR
These adorable carts are one of our new favorite bookish trends. They’re a great way to separate your immediate TBR pile from the rest of your library.
Best for readers who: Are always hauling and unhauling books.
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Pure entropy
Who cares if you’re the only person who can find books on your bookshelf? Sometimes a little chaos can be nice.
Best for readers who: Like a little disorder in their lives.
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By author then by publication
I group mine alphabetically by series.
I like to keep my shelves in order by authors. Once I read something I love from one author, I tend to seek more writing from the same writer!
I am a nut for certain writers. I do like reading books in order of publication and by number in a series.
I read in all genres; therefore, I like to keep my poetry separate from my prose too!
Books are beautiful no matter how I look at them. I am always anxious to read the beauty on the inside! They give character and warmth to homes!