Afternoon Project: Declutter Your Bookshelves
Overstuffed bookshelves can easily turn into an eyesore. These shelf-clearing projects are bound to help
Beth Zeigler
April 26, 2012
I'm all about maximizing space, but when it comes to your bookshelves, leaving a little breathing room can go a long way. Not only is open space nice to look at, but your built-ins will feel more relaxed and give you the opportunity to show off not just your books but your bookshelves themselves.
I know that for some a maxed-out bookcase reads cozy and inviting, but for me it screams, "Purge some books!" Here are some quick and easy clearing projects that won't take much time but give you lots to write home about.
I know that for some a maxed-out bookcase reads cozy and inviting, but for me it screams, "Purge some books!" Here are some quick and easy clearing projects that won't take much time but give you lots to write home about.
Start With One Shelf
Project time: 30 minutes
If you don't have the time to take everything off the bookshelf at once, play around with each shelf individually.
Start with one shelf that seems overly cluttered and group like items together (this could mean similar colors, sizes and styles).
Think of each shelf as a section and work on the individual spaces before tackling the project as a whole unit (which is sometimes too overwhelming).
As you gain more confidence with sorting, processing and organizing, you'll be able to easily see how all the parts relate and organize accordingly.
Pro technique: Pull all the books toward the front, allowing only a little of the bookshelf floor to peek through the front. This lining up of books will give the space a uniform front and keep books in line even if they're different lengths.
Project time: 30 minutes
If you don't have the time to take everything off the bookshelf at once, play around with each shelf individually.
Start with one shelf that seems overly cluttered and group like items together (this could mean similar colors, sizes and styles).
Think of each shelf as a section and work on the individual spaces before tackling the project as a whole unit (which is sometimes too overwhelming).
As you gain more confidence with sorting, processing and organizing, you'll be able to easily see how all the parts relate and organize accordingly.
Pro technique: Pull all the books toward the front, allowing only a little of the bookshelf floor to peek through the front. This lining up of books will give the space a uniform front and keep books in line even if they're different lengths.
Unify the Books With New Covers
Project time: an afternoon
You can get the kids involved with this fun craft. In a small, built-in bookcase, piles of books can easily read overkill (especially if they're paperbacks). For my home, I bought colored paper from Paper Source and used a decorative stamp that provided an outline to hand-label the spine of each book.
Project time: an afternoon
You can get the kids involved with this fun craft. In a small, built-in bookcase, piles of books can easily read overkill (especially if they're paperbacks). For my home, I bought colored paper from Paper Source and used a decorative stamp that provided an outline to hand-label the spine of each book.
Paperbacks: Leave Them or Love Them
Project time: 15 minutes
I say paperback books don't have a place on bookshelves, but if they have to stay and you don't want to hide them, try styling them. Lay them flat in smaller groupings so they pack a punch.
Project time: 15 minutes
I say paperback books don't have a place on bookshelves, but if they have to stay and you don't want to hide them, try styling them. Lay them flat in smaller groupings so they pack a punch.
Provide a Hiding Spot
Project time: 15 minutes
This swing-out framed art hides a TV in the bathroom but could easily hide your favorite paperback novellas on a bookshelf in the living room.
Your framed piece should cover the height expanse from one shelf to the other (going as wide as you see fit).
Project time: 15 minutes
This swing-out framed art hides a TV in the bathroom but could easily hide your favorite paperback novellas on a bookshelf in the living room.
Your framed piece should cover the height expanse from one shelf to the other (going as wide as you see fit).
Remove Everything and Start Over
Project time: 1 to 2 days
Try painting the back wall the same color as the surrounding walls. The unifying color will read clean, polished and organized.
I love scouring the web for ideas and inspiration for extra motivation. When you do so, notice trends and themes and how bookshelves are being styled.
Project time: 1 to 2 days
Try painting the back wall the same color as the surrounding walls. The unifying color will read clean, polished and organized.
I love scouring the web for ideas and inspiration for extra motivation. When you do so, notice trends and themes and how bookshelves are being styled.
You can also choose to make the background wall of your bookshelf pop with its own color or pattern. Leave lots of open space, as you'll want to show off your new accent wall.
Use these options to fill in spaces where there aren't books and to help keep unsightly items presentable.
Magazine files. Corral your flimsy-looking magazines. I love using white magazine files for a crisp, clean touch.
Bins and containers. No matter how hard we try to organize a space, sometimes items just aren't visually attractive. A textured bin or lidded container always lends a helping hand.
Magazine files. Corral your flimsy-looking magazines. I love using white magazine files for a crisp, clean touch.
Bins and containers. No matter how hard we try to organize a space, sometimes items just aren't visually attractive. A textured bin or lidded container always lends a helping hand.
Bookshelves that have no sides or backs require a delicate hand when arranging with books.
More:
How to Style Your Bookcase
Clutter Clearing 101
- Think light, as you don't want to visually weigh these pieces down.
- An easy way to keep the balance: Use pops of color with decorative items
- You may also find that laying books flat works better so that you don't need the extra support of bulky bookends.
More:
How to Style Your Bookcase
Clutter Clearing 101
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Perhaps you can add an additional shelf to each bookcase since it appears there is too much space between the items on one shelf and the shelf above. Also, displaying taller items, maybe a vase, would fill the empty space but not look crowded.
My attempt. I only have this one bookcase, so I do about 1/3 books and 2/3 decorative items here. But I have books in piles on tabletops (coffee table, hutches, desks, chests) everywhere throughout my home! I love stacking books even more than seeing them upright in bookcases, as they provide some height and color and I can see them and touch them easier.