Organization in Your Home Library : PART ONE

Every reader imagines a personal home library.  Whether it be something fancy, simple, contemporary or modern, we all imagine having one to call our own.  When I started book blogging, I had one small basket beside my bed that held my library books.  I actually started reviewing library books before purchasing any or receiving any for review.  While that was two years ago, my own collection has grown into a massive home library.  Some would think one or two shelves would be enough, but I have EIGHT bookcases and they are double stacked -- some triple stacked -- full of books.

Today we are going to cover our base plan of creating a home library.  Whether you dream big, or have to stay small within an apartment or budget, you will find that creating your own home library can be fun, cheap and beautiful.

PART ONE: Creating A Plan

Do you want rows and rows of bookshelves?  Are you able to dedicate an entire room to transform into a home library?  Do you live in small quarters and only have a limited amount of space?

You have to remember to make whatever you have available work for you.  Some people do not have an entire room that they can dedicate to just books.  I did not have a room, but I did have a formal dining room that we never used.  We always eat in the breakfast nook by the kitchen, so this was just wasted space. I turned this into my home library with bookshelves lining my walls.  Lets give some hints for both small and large rooms!

Large Rooms--
1. Dedicate entire walls for tall bookshelves.  These can come in many colors, finishes and styles.  Whether you like the feel of wood, prefer metal or like mismatched pieces, having a bunch of shelves is essential. 
2. If you have space leftover above your bookshelves between the top and the ceiling, USE THAT SPACE!  Whether it be for more books, your coveted ARC copies you keep or signed books, every inch of space is useable!  I even have my scrapbooks above one shelf that contains all of my author goodies and swag that I have received.  I display the swag I have received in those spaces above for everyone to admire and enjoy!
3. If you are fortunate enough to have a large enough room, create a sitting area as well.  Now you don't have to use up precious wall space for this! You can simply have a favorite rocking chair and reading lamp centered in the room.  What could be more fascinating? Reading a book or just sitting their admiring your pretty collection?

Small Rooms--
1. Are your books sharing space with other rooms? Consider wall mounted shelves over bookcases that sit on the floor.  You could always start from the top of the walls and go down.  Plus you could be one of those fancy people who have a wooden library ladder to make a striking decoration piece!  Walls can be your friend! 
2. Shoved in a closet?  Use smaller book cases for bottoms of the closet.  Go ahead and push those shoes out of the way and into an organizer.  You can always use the shelves for your racy and naughty books to be hidden away from prying eyes that don't need to see them. It could be your own personal and secret hideaway for your books!
3. Again make use of what space you have! Under the bed? Sure why not! Get some pretty decorated boxes with lids.  Add your books to them and slide them under things.  Imagine a hope chest or trunk you have sitting in your room and add the books.  It could be your own little treasure chest!

However big or however small you want your home library is up to you and your budget/space.  Get creative and think outside the box.  Always start with a plan and you can create something beautiful!

Next week we will talk about organizing your shelves and creating master lists of your books.  I hope you have enjoyed part one of this feature!