Here is the photo as the built-in is now...I have more books around the house that could probably fill it but I also like books in other rooms.

I see a need for balance and bookends. Try placing some books on more shelves, interspersed with the other items.

I like that idea. Do you mean actual bookends of objects the work as bookends. The books are all together bc I wanted it to be easier for my kids to find their desired book but I do see how it could look better spread out.. thank you.

Either /or will work. Try a rough sketch on paper. The kids will find what they are looking for. I can still remember the spines of some of my favorites. Rearrange on occasion.

The shelves without books have too many things on them. The baskets that overhang the front edge of the shelves are too large. The square/rectangular baskets look better than the rounded ones. I’d remove about 50% of the objects.

I’d make arranging the books in a way that makes sense for you and your kids the priority. If the baskets are needed for storage, give those priority over other non-book items.

We are a book loving family too :)

I love the beautiful bookcase inspiration, thank you for taking the time to post. Storage is an issue...part of the reason the shelf looks this way is bc there is very storage in my house so everything lands here (kids art, photo, nature treasures). I'm wondering if there is an inexpensive basket that I can get to keep some of these things in. I want it balance it to be kid friendly and neatly organized. I love the book of the books stacked on top of one another, but I can see that being a disaster when someone needs the bottom book. I feel like I would constantly be straightening behind everyone. how would it look if it was 100% full of books? I could make that happen and then there'd be zero room for a junk landing spot. or maybe all but the top or bottom shelf full of books.

Thats where sketching can help. Kids can sketch, too. Personally, I like books throughout the house. Even stacked tall in a corner.

Some items (Lightweight) look like they'd fit on top. Jugs make great bookends. Storing and bringing items back out can be like Christmas morning. Maybe do seasonally or birthdays as switchover times?

IMO bookcases are exactly that meat for books and not a bunch of decor items that just take upspace and have no purpose other than something more to dust I think if you love books fill the case with books, put the kids books where they can reach them if you want to get anal organize them according to type or jacket color but honestly load them up with books you love nothing wrong about that Yes you might need some bookends depending on how many more books you have.For a bit of fun you could add a library ladder depending of course on how old the kids are. I think this is awesome that your kids love books .

I find myself most attracted to shelves with all books and not the decorated look as well. I suppose it’s more me and matches our lifestyle better. For me to make the shelves beautifully decorated i would have to buy things just to do that (not keen on buying for that purpose). I’m leaning towards making it all about the books with maybe some better looking storage bins. I’ve never liked the look of the baskets. Ironically there is a library book sale today which is shopping I enjoy.

I wonder about the baskets - are they for critical storage? If so, why are they on the top shelf, harder to reach?

I would eliminate the baskets; put the kids' books on lower shelves.If you HAVE to have things in the baskets in that location, put them on the bottom, less prominent. Same with the magazine holders on the left side (BTW, do you NEED to save those?)

Are the things on the shelves important to you, or put on the shelves to fill the space? If it's "just stuff", get rid of it - better to have empty space than things that aren't meaningful to you.

Also get rid of the photos. I feel like photos are best viewed close up, and bookcases should be best viewed from across the room, so avoid small things.

Right now you have 1 bookcase, and 3 display cases, which makes it unbalanced.

So my advice: eliminate everything you don't need or love; put the things you love the most in the "prime real estate" in the middle, eye-level spaces. Try to group books (non-fiction, kids, fiction) so you can find things easily.

Thank you, Ann! I sort of did this over the weekend before you posted your suggestions. I got rid of the baskets and magazine files, and I moved all the books to the lower two shelves. It feels much better. I did keep a few photo frames and added some of my children’s art. I’m sure it can all be improved even now, but if feels a lot better and less cluttered. I’ll post an updated pic. We had some floors redone so everything had to be taken off and dusted so i was forced to face this bookcase conundrum. I have a feeling I will be taking a more off. In my heart I’m a minimalist and that is what I’m most attracted to. It that you can tell from my shelf. Ha. We are the family with 2 pairs of shoes per season and one or two swimsuits and we live at the beach. I did keep a few things that are important to my kids like their coin sorting jars. I also removed the birds that we on top.

I’m not committed to this arrangement, but I do feel better about it.

I think that looks better.

Much better!

I think you need more books! We are a homeschooling family too, and our books multiply every year. It is wonderful that you have shelf space to grow your collection. Happy Schooling!