Organize Your Bookshelves

Have you taken a good look at your bookshelves lately? Do you have a…gasp…unsightly mess? Could it be time to take inventory and overhaul your bookshelves?

Here are some things to think about:

1. Decide what kind of bookshelves you need. Do you have books only on your shelves or do you have a collection of media and other items displayed on your shelves?
2. First thing to do is go through and remove everything that isn’t pretty or attractive. Tuck these things away somewhere else and do not display them on your bookshelves.
3. Make an interesting mix of what is left. Perhaps you have a collection of pictures, CDs, books (old and new) and display items. Find a few attractive containers to corral your CDs and other small items and allow these containers to add interest to your shelves.
4. Keep some free space on your bookshelves to avoid a cluttered look. Some experts recommend one-quarter of each shelf free to keep an attractive balance.
5. Place books both vertically and horizontally to add interest and variation to your shelves.
6. Add a few empty frames at the backs of the shelves to spice up your arrangements.
7. Don’t forget to add a few unexpected items, like pottery or striking statues.