However, in the meantime, you need a way to arrange your collection that holds visual appeal without putting holes all over your landlord’s walls.
All hope is not lost. With a bit of creativity, you can arrange your books in a way that pleases your sense of aesthetics. Follow the eight tips below to proudly display your bookstore treasures in style!
1. Utilize found space
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When you first arrive at your new pad, stop and take an inventory of the space. Do you have a plant shelf above the kitchen cabinets where you could display that cookbook you inherited from your mom? Maybe you have a mirror tucked into an alcove in the hallway. These found spaces make perfect places to showcase favorites from your collection.
Add books in unusual spaces. For example, do you remember the last time you conducted your private business in the powder room and forgot your phone? Stack a few books on the toilet lid or in a basket next to the porcelain throne. You — and your guests — will never feel stranded without something to read again.
2. Color-code your collection
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If you have a sizable book collection, consider stripping off your book jackets and color-coding your collection. This allows you to add a rainbow to any room of your home, and arranging books in such a way means you’re able to add a good mix of fun with your reading.
Of course, if you’re a purist, you can organize your books by topic. But if you want to brighten up a room painted in bland ecru, color-coding offers one way to introduce bright hues into your decor. You can even pair up sections of bright book covers with matching flowers or trinkets to tie your designs together.
3. Stack boxes to create shelves
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When you moved, no doubt you spent a lot of time packing boxes for your books. You can paint crates or even cardboard in bright colors or stain them to match your furniture. Then, arrange them in interesting patterns to create instant bookshelves without doling out a ton of extra cash.
This is an excellent storage solution for a large collection, but take care to preserve your books when they’re stacked together. It’s recommended to stack your larger books flat to avoid putting undue pressure on their spines. Then, you can add in smaller volumes upright or flat to make the most of the crate’s space.
The great part about using crates for shelves is that you can move and arrange them however you like. Need more space in your home office? Simply relocate a few crates to your bedroom or living area!
4. Utilize floating shelves
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If you want wall displays but don’t want to risk damaging your landlord’s property, consider floating shelves. With this type of shelving, you attach the shelf part to a separate block instead of into the wall directly. This helps minimize the number of holes you drill, making it easier to patch the drywall if you eventually move.
This choice can help you display book collections across bare walls, creating a stylish effect. They’ll appear to hover in the air among your other decor. Literature is art, after all, so why shouldn’t books have a place among framed paintings and photographs?
Do invest in a stud finder for installation, though — you don’t want to accidentally create a gaping hole in your wall if the shelf isn’t secured.
5. Line a windowsill
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Every apartment contains at least some windows, so why not utilize the windowsills to make bookshelves? The sun looks lovely cascading down on your collection, and having a tome within easy reach invites friends and family to sneak in some reading time.
You can make your arrangement more aesthetically pleasing and able to hold more by stacking books. You can use houseplants as bookends for an organic touch, or add a few favorite framed photos or knick-knacks to further personalize your display.
6. Bring back the study
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If you own shelves or can assemble some, there’s nothing stopping you from bringing back the old-fashioned study. Whether this space doubles as your home office or simply offers a quiet retreat, you’ll dig the old-world elegance of a devoted library space.
Create a corner devoted to reading that displays your entire collection and finish it off with a comfy armchair for the ultimate old-school nook. Alternatively, adding shelving to the top and sides of your desk to create a study space surrounded by novels and research books.
7. Arrange your coffee and end tables
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When you’re nestled into your couch sporting comfy pants, you don’t want to have to get up to grab a book. Use your coffee and end table space to display your current reads, keeping them organized at arm’s reach so you have no excuse not to dive back into your booklist.
Of course, this space is also prime real estate for impressing your guests. You can find tomes that look expensive for only a few bucks in many book store bargain bins. Get some that contain trivia games or conversation starters to entertain party guests when you have a night in.
8. Make a headboard library
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Why not turn your bed’s headboard into a bookshelf? Keeping electronics out of the bedroom proves smart, as the blue light emitted from such devices keeps you up at night. This way, you can easily grab reading material to ease you into slumber instead.
If you’re still crashing on a mattress, use your collection to build a makeshift headboard. You may need to move your cup of chamomile to retrieve your favorite read, but stacking books this way adds a touch of elegance if money is too tight to buy furniture.
Creative ways to arrange your books
Just because you rent doesn’t mean you can’t showcase your book collection in style. Simply follow the tips above, and visitors to your pad will “ooh” and “aah” over your beautifully displayed tomes.
Whether you opt for the unconventional or stick with a classic library, your books will become an indispensable part of your apartment decor.
