Q&A for How to Organize a Bookshelf

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What else can I put on a bookshelf to mix things up?

Priscilla Bettencourt
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Priscilla Bettencourt is an Home Stager, Interior Designer, and the Founder of Halcyon Home Staging + Design, a home staging business based in San Francisco, California. Halcyon specializes in expansive staging services geared to maximize a property's resale value and transform any home into an inviting environment for potential buyers. Halcyon has received the “Best of Houzz Service” Award in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Priscilla Bettencourt

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

You could add a few plants, knick-knacks, or accessories. I would just say that you should keep it symmetrical and simple. Don't overdo it.

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What if I don't have enough books to fill the shelves?

Priscilla Bettencourt
Home Stager & Interior Designer
Priscilla Bettencourt is an Home Stager, Interior Designer, and the Founder of Halcyon Home Staging + Design, a home staging business based in San Francisco, California. Halcyon specializes in expansive staging services geared to maximize a property's resale value and transform any home into an inviting environment for potential buyers. Halcyon has received the “Best of Houzz Service” Award in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Priscilla Bettencourt

Home Stager & Interior Designer

Expert Answer

I actually think that's a good thing. It's nice to leave a shelf or two open, just since it makes the space feel less crowded.

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What if I have to share my shelves with my fussy sister?

Community Answer

Reason with your sister to get an even amount of shelves. Don't try and go for a decorative look unless you have only a few books.

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I want to put my books in alphabetical order. Will this still work just as well?

Community Answer

Of course. It may not look as good as some of the other suggestions but it will make finding books a lot easier.

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How can I sort my bookshelf by color?

Community Answer

Place all of the books with red-colored spines on the left side of your bookshelf. Continue all the way across your shelf with the oranges, yellows, greens, and blues. Finish off with the books that have purple-colored spines on the right side.

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I used these tips, but unlike a library, I can't find the book I want right away and I end up spending too much time looking for a book. What should I do?

Community Answer

There are multiple different organizational methods suggested in the article. If one doesn't work for you, try another. If you want it to be like library organization, you can sort by author's last name, by title, and/or by topic/genre. You just have to figure out what works best for you.

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Is it a good idea to have a bookshelf with doors to keep dust off my books?

Community Answer

Yes, that is a cool idea and it will keep dust off your books.

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Which method will look best?

Community Answer

Personally, I place them in order by author's last name. If you have a series, then the series in order by release. If you have more than one author, go by the first author's last name.

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What do I do if I share a bookshelf with someone and I only get three small spaces?

Community Answer

Only put the books you read the most there.

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If I don't have multiple shelves, should I stack my vertically or horizontally?

Community Answer

Vertically. If you run out of room, and you have a deep bookshelf, make a second vertical row. If you run out of room again, stack the next books on top.

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Should books be lined up on the edge of the shelf or pushed back?

Community Answer

The usual way to do this is to line the books up on the edge of the shelf. However, if you live in an earthquake-prone area (like New Zealand, Chile, or California), you might want to push the books back so that they're less likely to fall off the shelf in an earthquake. Don't push them right back though - allowing air circulation around the books helps to prevent mold.

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Can the ISBN number be of any help? If so, how?

Kim G

Top Answerer

The International Standard Book Number, or ISBN, is a number that uniquely identifies a book. It is helpful if you want to locate a specific book online for purchase or other purposes, but it will not help in organizing a collection.

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