How to Organise Your Home Library with Ease

Books bring comfort, inspiration, and a sense of identity. But for many creative types, a growing home library can slowly turn into a maze of leaning stacks, lost favourites, and shelves stuffed two-deep. If your books are everywhere but where they belong, it’s time for a gentle, stress-free organising session.

Here’s how to organise your home library with ease no harsh systems, no guilt, just order and enjoyment.

Step One: Take Stock

Start by gathering your books into one place (if you can). This gives you a clear picture of what you actually own. You may be surprised by how many duplicates, unread titles, or long-forgotten paperbacks you’ve accumulated.

Step Two: Sort in a Way That Feels Natural

There’s no one right way to organise your books. Choose a method that suits how you think:

• By genre or subject – great for mixed-use libraries.

• By author or series – ideal for fiction readers.

• By colour – perfect if visual harmony inspires you.

• By mood or theme – lovely if you read intuitively.

Go with what makes books easiest to find and return to their place.

Step Three: Let Some Go

Be honest, are there books you’ve outgrown, lost interest in, or know you’ll never read? Letting go of a few frees up space for the titles you truly love. Donate to a local charity shop, school, or community project.

Step Four: Maximise Shelf Space

Use vertical shelf risers or horizontal stacks to make the most of each shelf. Bookends keep rows tidy, and baskets on lower shelves can hold odd-shaped items like magazines, oversized books, or journals.

Step Five: Label or Log (Optional)

If your collection is large or shared with others, consider using subtle labels or even a home library app to track where books are. It’s especially handy for prolific borrowers!

An organised library isn’t just about neatness; it’s about making your books more accessible, enjoyable, and part of your creative space.