If you don’t have a bookshelf to use, you’ll be in trouble with the storage of books. Consider these decorative and useful book storage alternatives. I finally know how to store books without a bookshelf!
There’s no denying that books bring joy and purpose to many people’s lives, but without a bookshelf, your book collection can quickly become cluttered and a source of stress.
Luckily, even if you don’t have a bookshelf at home, you can still store your books in a practical and visually appealing way.
Today I’m sharing some of my favorite (some unconventional) book storage and display methods.
We hope these suggestions help you organize your home and give your books the storage space they deserve!
best way to store books without bookshelves
#1 – Window Frame
If you think about it, the window sill is just a shelf under the window. This makes it an ideal space for storing books.
The great thing about using window frames to display your books is that most people can use multiple window frames. This means you can divide your book collection by subject, genre, or color, and use different windowsills for each.
One thing to keep in mind when placing books on a windowsill is that they are susceptible to weather conditions.
Exposure to direct sunlight can cause discoloration of the cover and pages, and obviously windows cannot be opened while it is raining.
Still, with a strategic choice of window sills, you should be able to keep your books in good condition.
#2 – Coffee table
A great place to add a few books is your coffee table. There are several reasons for this.
- Easy to get what you want to read
- They are always in your field of vision so you never forget to read
- It’s a great way to flip through a book that isn’t necessarily meant to be read, but it’s sometimes literally called a “coffee table book.”
#3 – Mantelpiece
Arranging books on the mantelpiece is a great way to organize your book collection while adding a touch of class to your living room.
This method of storage may not be optimal if you have a large collection of books, and you may need to invest in a few bookends to keep your books from tipping over.
However, for small book collections, mantel displays are great both from a practical and decorative standpoint.
#4 – Glass Cabinet
I love using cabinets to store my books. Because they are a very versatile storage space and a great way to keep your books dust free.
Below is a recipe book in a glass cabinet in my kitchen. Everything is displayed in rainbow order – nice!
Of course, you can store your books in empty cabinets at home, not just glazed. If you want your living space to have a minimalist feel, unglazed cabinets are the way to go, as you only need to close the cabinet doors to avoid having books of different sizes and colors on display.
#5 – Entertainment Center
Entertainment centers were designed primarily for DVDs and games, but in this day and age, many people are throwing away physical discs and moving to digital downloads.
If you find yourself in this situation and have an empty (or nearly empty) entertainment center, consider repurposing it for books instead.
Books are, after all, a form of entertainment, and seeing your collection of books every time you turn on the TV might prompt you to pick one up and spend less time looking at the screen.
#6 – (Disused) Fireplace
Many older homes do not use fireplaces that no longer serve their original purpose. If you’re lucky enough to have one of these at home, consider turning it into a book storage space.
An old fireplace is a great place to stack books. An empty fireplace may look bare and out of place in a modern home, but filling it with books can be the most unique and aesthetically pleasing feature in a room (especially the bedroom).
#7 – Bar cart
You may have never considered using a bar cart/trolley to display your books, but this is one of the best alternative ways to store your books.
Now, since you likely don’t have a bar cart at home, you may be wondering why you should go out and buy one of these carts when you can invest in a bookshelf.
However, there are many reasons to choose bar carts over traditional shelving units.
For one thing, if you don’t like doing things with books (pardon the pun), bar carts are a great way to showcase your book collection without venturing into unrealistic territory. .
Plus, the bar cart is easy to move, so you can reposition it as often as you like!
#8 – Diversion Crate
One of the easiest ways to store your books if you don’t have a bookshelf is to buy some basic crates, or reuse some if you already have some at home.
Used to transport fruits and vegetables, crates make great book storage as they can add a rustic touch to your home while keeping books neat and secure in a compact space.
The advantage of storing books in crates is that they can be placed in the most convenient location and easily decorated in any color or style you like.
#9 – Stack Up!
There are many ways to stack books without making your home feel cluttered or unorganized.
If you have a bench in your home and space underneath it, it’s an ideal place to stack your books.
You can even stack them on a coffee table, desk, etc…
The trick with stacking is to avoid stacking too high. Because the stack can fall over or become inefficient when grabbing the bottom stack.
do you really need that book?
This can be very controversial, but it would be my mistake not to add this section.
Too often we try to figure out how to store things in our homes, but don’t think about whether or not we need to store them at all.
If you don’t have a bookshelf, it may be because you’ve never wanted one. Maybe you’re not a huge book fan.
So take some time to see if it holds all the books you plan to store.
You may need to stow a few books as they pass through your house (only while you’re reading them).
Can I store my books in another way?
Finally, you may love books, but you don’t have the space for a bookshelf in your home or room.
So instead of actually storing the books, why not look for a more minimalistic way to store them.
This means that you can get digital versions of the books you want to keep handy and save them all. Kindle or similar e-reader.
This makes it easier to store hundreds of books.
See, there are plenty of options for storing books without requiring a specific bookshelf
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a bookshelf to house your collection of books.
Hopefully one of these suggestions will suit your home layout and decor to organize a creative and convenient storage solution that suits your needs.
