The Art of book organization

Organizing your bookshelves can feel overwhelming. Before you begin, take a few minutes to decide what system would work best for you that would be both inviting to look at and user friendly. Some options:


By Genre - A classic approach. Group your books by genre to easily locate your next thrilling mystery or heartwarming romance. It's a
practical system for the no-nonsense reader. 

​Alphabetically - For those who prefer a more systematic approach, sorting books alphabetically by author is a fail-proof method. A quick reference system for the serious bookworm.

By Color - Want to add a visual pop to your shelf? Organize your books by color for a stylish display. Hopefully you have a good visual memory, otherwise be ready to play detective when searching for a specific title.

Height Order - Maintain a clean aesthetic by arranging books by height. It's a straightforward method that gives your shelves a polished look.

Random yet Practical - Sometimes a bit of controlled chaos works. Mix different genres, sizes, and orientations for a more eclectic, lived-in feel.

My bookshelves are sorted by genre. I could never do alphabetical because I’m not good at remembering names, but can see how each option has its appeal.

What is your first choice? 

I love books. Actual books. 

I know a kindle can hold lots of books and take up very little space, but I prefer the feel of a book (and the ease of flipping back to find a name or detail I forgot).

When my bookshelves start looking cluttered, and books are competing for space or ending up in a stack on the floor, it’s time to reassess and start a donation pile.

If you are a book lover, here are 4 ideas for taming your collection:

1. Read or release - If you've been holding onto a book for years without reading it, it might be time to pass it along. Consider it a literary act of kindness. 

2. Category clear-out - maybe there is a type of book, like recipe books or novels, that are easier to part with. It is easier for me to get rid of a novel than many of the non-fiction books I have.

3. Gift - some books you have may be a great gift for someone else. Put a post it on the book with the persons name and put the book in your gift bin.

4. Sell - there are many options for selling your books online - you can do a search to get an estimate on what your books titles may be selling for and decide if that’s the way to go. 

Once you are done and have your final keep pile, you can ‘re-stock’ the shelves. See post with suggestions on how to organize your bookshelves!