If you’re all caught up on spring cleaning, then it might be time to relax and curl up with a good book. But before you settle into literary laziness, you’ll want to be sure that your home library is spic and span first. Start the decluttering and organizing process with these tips from Closet & Storage Concepts of Philadelphia and South Jersey, in order to get your home library clean and organized.
First, as with many organization projects, start with clearing out your bookshelves, unless of course, they are already in a pristine order that you’re fond of. Either way, you should dust to remove anything that might have settled since the last clean. You can also vacuum your books, particularly along the spines, in order to keep them perfectly pristine.
As you start to sort your books out, know that it’s okay to let go of books. Whether they were in a set, a gift, or a book you’ve kept because you paid full price, it’s ok to donate books that you know you will not read again. There are so many options to help lessen the pain of saying goodbye to some of them, and you’ll help new readers to appreciate the stories you’ve loved.
There are plenty of options when it comes to donating and recycling old and used books. There are little free libraries where you can trade unwanted books, or you could give them to charities like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, or other thrift stores. If you’re looking to get a little bit of cash, then head to second-hand bookstores like Half Price Books or local shops, just be careful to not walk out with an armful of new purchases! Of course, you can always try selling the books yourself, whether it’s to Amazon, off eBay, friends and family, or in a garage sale.
You can also look to your local libraries or other causes to donate books, so you know they will be going to a good cause. Giving away books you won’t re-read allows you to keep items that you really love.
Once you’ve sorted all of your books into keep, donate, and discard piles, it’s time to start arranging your books back onto your shelves. If you’re looking for ways to sneak more books in, start by finding spaces you could add storage. The first place to look is up! Take complete advantage of your space, and don’t be afraid to think vertically. Try custom shelves and storage units that go from the floor to ceiling, which can also help to make your room look larger. You can also shelve books above doorways as another sneaky storage option. Need more suggestions? Give Closet & Storage Concepts of West Berlin a call. We’ll help to create a custom storage solution for you.
Once you’ve settled on the books you’re going to keep, figure out a sorting system before replacing them on the shelves. You don’t have to go full Dewey Decimal with your sorting (although more power to you if you do!). Many people simply organize books alphabetically by author or title, or you can even organize visually using a scheme that is based on color.
The fun part is about to start: putting your books back on the shelves. It might even feel like a fun game of adult Tetris. You can utilize risers, especially if you have paperbacks and wider shelves, which can allow you to add twice as many books per shelf. You can also try laying them horizontally, which is especially beneficial for older and more prized possessions or large coffee table books. Don’t forget that your library doesn’t have to be for books alone. Mix in vinyl records and other treasures for a complete show of your personality.
Once everything is in order, sit back, curl up and get comfortable with a good book. You can rest assured that a clean and organized library will have you more relaxed and let you immerse yourself more fully in the book world. We hope you found this helpful and happy reading!
Photo copyright iStock/KatarzynaBialasiewicz.