Image edited by canva credit: haraka via bitLanders
Besides having a good book to read, making sure your books are store properly also important. However, organizing your books could be a problem especially when your collections get bigger. Some might think it’s unnecessary to implement a method to organize your books, but I think it’s essential to have some methods to organize your books because it will be easier for you to track your collection or find a specific book when you need it in the future. In addition, looking at your gorgeous bookshelf won’t fail to please you, right? Based on my experiment with different methods since I started collecting books, here are 7 ways that you could try if you want to organize your bookshelf.
“A bookshelf is as particular to its owner as are his or her clothes; a personality is stamped on a library just as a shoe is shaped by the foot." ― Alan Bennett
Source: Quotes by Alan Bennett
1. Organize by the Height
Image credit: mangabookshelf
I used this method when I started collecting books. It’s quite simple; you put the books with same height together and arrange all of your books from the tallest to the shortest. It will create a nice and tidy row on your bookshelf. In my opinion, this method is suitable if your collections mostly are series with huge volumes like manga or comic books. I used this method for several years because back then, most of my collections are manga. Since they come in one standard size and have several volumes, not only help to make my bookshelf look neat, this method makes me easier to check which volume that I don’t have and need to buy next.
2. Organize by the Series
Image credit: cosynovels
This was my other favorite method back then. What you need to do is arranging all the books in the same series together. Since books in series tend to come in one standard size, it allows you to combine this method with the first one. In my experienced, this method gives two benefits; (1) it’s easier to track series that I owned, and (2) to maintain this method is less time-consuming. Arranging your books is a continuous process because we will have the new books to add to our collection. Then you need to make sure that every time you have new books, it won’t take the whole day to decide where it will go on your bookshelf. The only downside that I have with this method is when you have books which not part of a series (standalone). They might end up on the bottom of your bookshelf and not properly display.
3. Organize by Alphabets
Image credit: pixabay
This is the common system that we see in the library. Books are arranged based on alphabetical order based on author last name or the title of the books. Although it’s functional when you need to find a specific book, maintaining this method is time-consuming. Moreover, if most of your collections are series, it won’t display in the chronological order based on their volume and books in series will rarely go side by side.
When it arranged by the author last name, all the books in series might be group together, but it will be out-of-order. It happened with my Harry Potter Series. From book one to three the titled are Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. So, the order gonna be book two, book one, then book three. While when I tried based on the book’s title, it even messier. Take an example of The Twilight Saga. The first book of the series will be on Section T because the title is Twilight, and the second book on Section N because the title is New Moon, and the third on Section E because the titled is Eclipse. I tried this method both by author and title and I am not a fan of it. My series spread all over the bookshelf and it's difficult to check which volume that I don’t have.
4. Organize by Genre
Image credit: pixabay
With this method, your bookshelf will have a section such as fantasy, science-fiction, mystery etc. It’s an excellent system to help you find the next book to read when you are in the mood to read a certain genre. In addition, your bookshelf will appear lovely because books with a similar genre will have a book cover. Contemporary books will be more colorful or with pastel color while fantasy books tend to have a darker and mystical design. The only issue that I have with this method is when your books have mixed genre. Let's take The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard as an example. It’s a fantasy book with a dystopian setting. So, if you have more books like this, it will be challenging deciding on which section those books belong.
5. Organize by Have Read and To-be-Read
Image credit: pixabay
This method is favorable to find the next book to read. It’s quite easy to maintain because when you buy the new books you know exactly where they belong, and once you finished, their place already decided. This method also the most flexible one to combine with other methods. You can split your collection into two shelves (have read and to-be-read). Then, you can arrange the "Have Read Shelf" based on height, while the "To-be-Read Shelf" based on genre. I feel neutral with this method. It’s not my most favorite but I also don’t feel bothered by it. This method also good when you have more books that you want to read so you can keep on track and know exactly which book that you need to read next.
6. Organize by Color
Image credit: bustle.com
I found this method first time when I discovered Hailey’s channel on YouTube. This Canadian’s BookTuber arrange her bookshelves based on the color of the book. This method is known as “Rainbow Bookshelf” where you group books in the same color together and create a color scheme. It’s refreshing to have your bookshelves in color range and it won’t look dull like you just enter a library. In addition, your bookshelves won’t look cluttered compared to other methods because it creates a consistent look.
Rainbow Bookshelf
Video credit: Katytastic via YouTube
Most of the objection that I heard from other with this method is that their series spread all over the place. But for me, the downside is to produce a dainty color range. None of the book spines come in precise color. Some book in black color might have a red accent while the other with silver accent. One color could have huge color range, such as red color can be dark red, blood-red, or pinkish red. And the most challenging one for me is when the color is the mixed up of main color range like violet, burgundy, teal, or turquoise.
Image credit: thezoereport
7. Organize by the Aesthetic
Image credit: thebudgetdecorator
The last method includes an additional purpose which is as decoration. You are not just organized and stored your books, but you use them as decoration items in your place. There is no exact guideline how to do it because it’s more of an art and it will depend on personal preference. To apply this method, you need to arrange your books in an uncommon way. Instead of putting them horizontally, you stack them in vertical or you are displaying the front cover instead of the spine or you can arrange the books diagonally on the corner of the bookshelf. You also can add some bookish items to decorate your bookshelves like candles, mugs, or small figurines and trinkets from your favorite fandom.
How to Arrange Your Bookshelf with Style
Video credit: InStyle via YouTube
It’s pleasant to see as well as enjoyable to create. Moreover, I prefer this method because you can avoid the stuffy look because your bookshelf won’t look full with books from end to end. I recommend this method when you have small space or you have the bookshelf in your bedroom.
Image credit: prettyandfun
Although it’s nice to look at and relaxing to create, this method won’t be that functional if you need to pick up your books from time to time. Since the main purpose of this method is to storage and display, some book might be arranged in the way which inconvenience to be picked up often. The other downside is when you have a new collection. You will need to re-arrange everything because you won’t have space for a new item with your original arrangement.
None of these methods above is the correct one. Each method has its own pro and con. What you need to consider when you decide how you are going to arrange your bookshelf is which one that can be the most functional for you. Also, which methods that will be more suitable for your collections. If you have more series, the second methods might be best for you. If you tend to use your collection as references, then by arranged based on alphabetical order will be the most functional for you.
For more reading and bookish tips, check my other blogs:
