organizing and managing your shelf space
ConversesBook Collectors
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1booksforreading
This subject was somewhat touched in earlier threads.
How do you manage to organize your library if you have a very limited shelf space? Do you store books on tables, floor, etc.?
Do you double-shelf?
I am looking for ideas... My shelf space is getting very limited.
How do you manage to organize your library if you have a very limited shelf space? Do you store books on tables, floor, etc.?
Do you double-shelf?
I am looking for ideas... My shelf space is getting very limited.
2Keeline
A great many of our books are duodecimo books where the ideal shelf spacing is 9 inches. But it is very typical for bookcases to provide shelves (even when adjustable) that are spaced every 12 inches. This leaves some unused space.
When we have purchased bookcases, we got into the habit of buying extra shelves (they are often different) for the case. A full height (7 foot) case might benefit from two extra shelves.
Most cases available to us also have shelf depths that are 10-12 inches. This will hold two rows of books (if they are strong enough like plywood and not MDF or particle board). If the shelf spacing is the default of 12 inches or so, it is possible to elevate the back row of books so the titles can be read. One approach is to have strips of foam that run the length of the shelf and raise the books 2 or 3 inches.
If the shelves are closer together, foam risers won't work.
Book collectors have long arranged books by size to maximize the storage.
James
When we have purchased bookcases, we got into the habit of buying extra shelves (they are often different) for the case. A full height (7 foot) case might benefit from two extra shelves.
Most cases available to us also have shelf depths that are 10-12 inches. This will hold two rows of books (if they are strong enough like plywood and not MDF or particle board). If the shelf spacing is the default of 12 inches or so, it is possible to elevate the back row of books so the titles can be read. One approach is to have strips of foam that run the length of the shelf and raise the books 2 or 3 inches.
If the shelves are closer together, foam risers won't work.
Book collectors have long arranged books by size to maximize the storage.
James
3Bernarrd
As James mentioned you can save space if your shelf heights approximate the size of your books. But you may have to build your own bookcases. My problem is that i have quite a variety of book sizes in my collection. Every thing from miniatures to tall folio size books. I have more problems finding room for the very large books, as most pre-built shelves will not work well for them. I keep considering building a bookcase just for tall books, but then the question is how tall should I make the shelves. If your books are mainly of a more uniform size you just have to determine the best shelf height and build your book shelves.
4booksforreading
Thank you >2 Keeline: and >3 Bernarrd: for your suggestions and thoughts!
It sounds like a great idea to just organize the books by size and shelve them accordingly. (And I love the idea of an elevated second row on a shelf!) Unfortunately, similar to the case >3 Bernarrd: mentions, I have a lot of books of various sizes. Also, most of my current bookshelves are not deep enough for a second row of books, unless they are paperbacks.
Seems like I need to built more/my own bookcases; however, the space in the house where I can put bookcases with a natural aesthetic result is also getting limited. :)
Maybe I should just built another house, just for books...
It sounds like a great idea to just organize the books by size and shelve them accordingly. (And I love the idea of an elevated second row on a shelf!) Unfortunately, similar to the case >3 Bernarrd: mentions, I have a lot of books of various sizes. Also, most of my current bookshelves are not deep enough for a second row of books, unless they are paperbacks.
Seems like I need to built more/my own bookcases; however, the space in the house where I can put bookcases with a natural aesthetic result is also getting limited. :)
Maybe I should just built another house, just for books...
5MyopicBookworm
Just give up! We have books piled up in corners everywhere, and stacked boxes of books. I built a bookcase on the landing eight feet high which has taken perhaps a tenth of our collection of children's books.
