When most people consider book storage, bookshelves are the first option that comes to mind. They’re specifically designed for the purpose, look attractive in many rooms, and give you easy access to the things you want to read. Unfortunately, not everyone has the space to line their walls with tall shelving units. It might not match your overall home décor aesthetic either.
Sometimes, you simply have too many books to store and need something that saves space rather than takes up space. These beautiful book storage ideas will enhance the look and feel of any room while minimizing the space your collection occupies.
The first step in deciding on a storage option is to minimize your library first. You don’t have to hang onto every book you own. Donating or selling books for cash can help. When you’ve narrowed things down to your must-have favorites, you can choose from these options.
Floating or ‘Invisible’ Wall Shelves
Shelves don’t have to be bulky wooden units to hold books. This type is fashioned from glass or sturdy acrylic, making things appear to float against the wall. These more delicate shelf options won’t hold very heavy tomes. It’s best if you figure out where to donate college books and thick hardcovers first.
Door Frame Shelving Units
Most doorways have small sections of wall on each side that don’t really have room for much other furniture. Narrow pieces that frame the doorway can add colorful interest and weight to these spots without detracting from the overall look and feel of other design schemes. While not suitable for all homes or décor styles, these can augment a cozier reading room or library aesthetic.
Under Stair Storage
If you’re lucky enough to have a set of stairs with an open area underneath, you can transform the wasted space into a mini library. Craft either straight shelves or rolling units that you can pull out to explore what you want to read next. This is one of the largest options on the list, and the storage can do double-duty for other items as well.
Window Seat Hidden Storage
Sometimes you want to hide your books away and still have an attractive spot to enjoy in your living room or den. Homes with bay windows or deep sills can benefit from a window seat that doubles as a reading nook. Turn the bench into a storage chest to hold dozens of books at the same time. Then, you can choose your next adventure or learning opportunity, curl up with a nice view of the garden outside, and get lost in the story.
Ottomans that Open
A similar design idea works for ottomans or footrests you can use in front of the couch or your favorite armchair. Plenty of these are available from furniture stores. The top lifts to reveal a hidden storage space within. It’s perfect for keeping books on hand to read on a cozy day off. Sit back, prop your feet up, and get lost in a story for a while.
Rolling Book Carts
Go for the full aesthetic of a classic library with a book cart on wheels. These are often crafted from wood or metal and add a vintage style to the room. While not necessarily space-saving, they are quite convenient if you want to roll your collection of stories within reach while you relax. If you ever want to move your to-be-read pile from room to room, this is an amazing option.
Ladder Shelves
Unique units that look like a ladder with boards or dowels for rungs can lean up against any wall and hold your books. There are two options here. Use the ones like flash shelves the same way you would any bookcase. For those with dowels, you can hang a book over the rod to show off its cover. Don’t use this type on delicate or very heavy books.
Secure Vertical Stacks
Most shelves display things horizontally. These unique book-specific options give you a vertical look instead. They consist of a simple base attached to the wall or as a free-standing furniture piece. Then, you simply stack the books one on top of each other as high as you’d like, creating a pillar of literature effect. It’s essential to make sure these exist in locations where you can’t bump into them or you risk scattering the books all over the floor.
Open-Nook Coffee Tables
If you’d like to keep your books on hand without disrupting your room’s style, choose a coffee table or nightstand with open nooks beneath. Some come with drawers, too, but nooks allow your decorative covers and spines to add to the overall aesthetic. This is a great option for those who enjoy art books or fiction with sprayed page edges.
Recessed Wall Niches
Are you ready to undertake a full home remodel just to get space-saving storage for your book collection? Unless your living room or bedroom already has a niche in place, you will have to open up the wall between support beams and build one. Simple stacks work well, but you can also construct shelves inside the niche. Books are a great way to fill in these tiny spots.
Decorative Chests or Trunks
Another hidden storage option that can still look great in a room includes any closed trunks or chests that can double as low tables or even benches. Some use a trunk positioned at the foot of the bed for a seat to help get ready in the morning or additional storage in a corner of other living spaces. They protect books easily and can hold a lot if your collection is vast.
The Bottom Line
Choosing book storage that both protects your personal library and enhances the room’s aesthetics. Shelves of all kinds, furniture pieces that offer hidden storage, and unconventional options like book carts and steamer trunks all solve the problems book collectors have. Best of all, they do it with style.
