Where do all the books go?

Are you an avid reader and want to avoid reading on a tablet or an e-reader? If this is you and you love your books and want to keep them over time, this will pose a storage issue. Where do all the books go? Before we get into this topic, let’s take a fresh look at your books and decide if they are worth keeping on your bookshelves.

Organize Your Shelves

1. Keep the books you love. Often we have memories of when we read a book or a sense of attachment to a time and place that evokes good feelings, or the book’s content is such that you often refer back to and enjoy these you will want to keep.
2. Remove any outdated reference books and college textbooks. Yes, this includes your dictionaries and thesauruses; all those tools are available on your mobile device.
3. Give away books you do not intend to read. If you have received cookbooks or coffee table books as gifts that you never use and don’t spend time looking at them, it’s time to get rid of them.
4. Often, people keep books because they don’t want to forget that they read them. Keep a journal of the books you’ve read in a physical journal or online list.
5. Donate them to your local library, a senior center or assisted living facility, Goodwill, or the Salvation Army. Note, check with the donation site that they will accept the books you plan to donate.
6. Repurpose your books. If you do some online searching, you will find many DIY ideas for transforming an old book into a decorative item.

Style Your Shelves

Now that you have removed all the extra books and made room for future books, let’s think about ways to style your shelves.

• Mix up the arrangement by placing some books vertically and others horizontally. You can do this on some shelves, not others, making the overall view feel balanced.
• Add decorative items such as a beautiful vase or driftwood. Choose a uniquely shaped glass container to display collections of natural elements like shells or sea glass.
• Add a family photograph or artwork that offers a special memory and brings you joy.

For all your home decorating needs, call me at 610-955-8202 or email me for a consultation!

By Debbie Correale, Redesign Right, LLC. Stay connected on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, and Instagram. Feature photo from Unsplash.