The best book storage ideas will not only keep your collection of well-loved tomes in order – they can also contribute to your overall design scheme, particularly when it comes to living room storage ideas.
Whether you are an avid reader who just can't bear to part with even one single book, despite knowing you'll never pick it up again, or you just can't resist big, beautiful coffee table books that you hope will show-off your exquisite taste, you'll need somewhere to store all those volumes.
We've rounded up the best book storage ideas around, from those suitable for small or awkward spaces to ways of displaying them that turns them into a stunning focal point.
1. Dedicate an entire wall to your book collection
If you have space on your landing, this can be the perfect spot for a book wall (Image credit: Chaunceys Timber Flooring)
If you have a blank wall currently doing nothing much at all in terms of adding to the decor scheme of your home, why not consider turning it into a book wall instead? This is a great one for anyone after landing ideas looking to make more of this often wasted area.
"A floor-to-ceiling bookcase makes a room feel rich and curated," explains Joy Allen, design manager at Next Stage Design + Build." You can keep it feeling light by mixing in art, plants and ceramics, or go dramatic with dark shelving and a rolling ladder for a library feel.
As part of the design team at Next Stage Design, Joy is committed to creating beautiful spaces for clients. She has many years of experience working for top design and build companies.
2. Create an all-in-one resting perch
Building a window seat into a wall of book shelves creates a cosy nook(Image credit: Paige Studio)
It makes so much sense to position some form of seating next to your book shelves. Even a simple squashy armchair popped alongside a book shelf works – add in a floor lamp and you have an instant reading corner.
Even better though, why not build seating into your shelving – extra points for making it a window seat adorned with comfy cushions and with a view out over your favourite spot in the garden.
"Bookshelves framing a window create a cosy alcove and double as a spot to store your current reads," says Joy Allen. "Add a bench with storage below for extra functionality."
Any self-respecting reading nook needs somewhere comfy to sit. This elegant armchair has spring construction to prevent sagging and details like its nailhead trim and wooden legs give it a timeless look.
Avoid eye strain with this stylish brushed brass adjustable reading lamp. We particularly love that it comes fitted with a USB charging point meaning your can charge up your phone while you read.
Made from solid acacia wood, this eye-catching side table would suit vintage and modern interior schemes alike. It gets extra points for having handy storage within for keeping books you are midway through.
3. Combine books with prized possessions for a display wall
Interspersing books with other decorative objects adds personality(Image credit: Natalia Willmott)
While an entire wall of books can look impressive, adding in a few decorative objects or treasured items can inject character and personality into the space – perfect for anyone looking for living room ideas to help cosy up their home.
"Built-in bookcases and shelving are a beautiful way to bring personality and warmth into a space," picks up Courtney Batten, owner and lead designer at Paige Studio. "I always try to leave room to display the things that make my clients' homes feel lived in, like their book collections, mementos and personal treasures."
"Integrate books with decorative items such as vases, plants and art pieces to create a visually appealing mix," says Claire.
Courtney Batten
Courtney Batten creates vibrant, livable interiors that balance timeless character with a modern edge. She helps discerning clients transform their spaces with bold colour, historic details, and technical expertise. She proudly holds NCIDQ certification and has over a decade of experience honing her craft at top interior design and architecture firms before launching Paige Studio in 2023.
Claire Garner
Claire has over 15 years’ experience in the interior design industry, and over a decade running her own interior design studio. She believes in designing spaces which are tailored just for you, by getting a full understanding of how you live your life, and how you want your home to feel.
4. Invest in bespoke cabinetry for a high-end home office
Bespoke, fitted book storage will ensure you make the most of the space you have(Image credit: Chaunceys Timber Flooring)
Where you have a limited space to play with for your book storage, taking a bespoke route and using built-in shelving and cabinetry can often make more sense than buying off-the-shelf pieces, ensuring you are making the most of every inch.
If you like the sound of a storage system that is completely tailored to your requirements, take some time to think about what you want from it. Is it just books you want to keep here or do you want to display special items?
If the book storage is going to form part of your home office layout, consider some cupboards as part of the set-up in which to store less attractive paperwork and office supplies.
5. Keep cookbooks close to hand with full height shelving
Keep your cookbooks within easy reach without them cluttering the kitchen (Image credit: Simon Taylor Furniture)
If you are a keen cook, the chances are you will have built up a collection of recipe books over the years, so don't forget that you will need to incorporate some storage for these within your kitchen ideas.
In some cases, a kitchen island with shelving beneath can provide the perfect spot for housing your cookbooks or recipe binders, while other times, open shelving close to your hob or oven makes more sense.
The design of this kitchen has been tailored to incorporate slim shelving to one end of a run of full-height units – close to hand yet out of the way.
6. Slot shelving above doorways to save space
Surrounding a doorway with shelving takes up little floor space but makes maximum impact(Image credit: Wood Works Brighton)
A favourite of many designers, building book shelves above and around doorways is a fantastic way to make use of otherwise wasted space. It works particularly well with certain types of ceiling.
"Overhead shelving increases vertical space above doorways or windows," explains Evelina Juzėnaitė, principal interior designer at Planner 5D. "This will draw the eye, add architectural interest, and utilise space that would otherwise be unused."
"I remember I worked on a project once where we created a bookshelf all around a bedroom door," adds Dan Staupe, co-owner of Compass Exteriors. "The space was tight, this was a child’s bedroom, and she had a lot of books, but nowhere to put them. So we made like a bookshelf wall surrounding her bedroom door on either side, and above. The best part is that we created the shelves from salvaged wood, so everything was recycled. I was really proud of that one."
Dan Staupe
Dan has over 10 years of experience owning and operating multiple home-service businesses delivering roofing and remodeling to homeowners. Each day he strives to provide value to his customers, vendors, and co-workers.
Evelina Juzėnaitė
Evelina Juzėnaitė is the principal interior designer at Planner 5D, the 2D/3D home design platform using AI to enhance the design experience and empower users to create their dream homes. Her expertise in AI tools allows her to provide clients with an intuitive and efficient design journey, from concept to completion.
7. Use the space behind a door as extra shelving
Recessed book shelves behind doors add storage without encroaching on the space(Image credit: Chaunceys Timber Flooring)
It can be hard to know what to do with that wall behind a door. It tends to get shunned in terms of storage as it can make opening the door awkward.
Recessing shelving behind the door is a great way to provide somewhere to store books without it getting in the way of operating the door, plus when the door is closed, it adds a decorative element to the room. This works particularly well for anyone after small bedroom ideas.
"I really cannot recommend enough that you think about your space creatively. You don’t always have to go for the most straightforward option," points out Dan Staupe. "You don’t have to take up floorspace for a bookcase, or create a traditional book wall. There are small spaces and nooks everywhere, especially if you think vertically."
8. Build a cosy reading nook
Nestling seating into a wall of shelving creates an instant spot to relax(Image credit: Higham Furniture)
Who wouldn't love a space within their home dedicated solely to sitting and doing nothing other than getting stuck into a good read?
If you can, building cosy seating right next to your book storage makes so much sense – even better, design your seating alongside your shelving. Don't forget to think about how your lighting design can help here either – when the sun sets, you'll need a good artificial light source.
"I love integrating seating into book storage – wrapping shelves around a sofa or creating a cosy built-in window seat with shelves on either side," reveals Courtney Batten.
Reading light
Azaz LED Spotlight
Perfect for popping into your reading nook, this brass wall fitting offers clear light thanks to its LED technology – plus it is dimmable so you can adjust the mood within the space.
9. Turn your books into artwork with floating shelves
Floating shelves provide a focal point as well as storage(Image credit: Umbra)
Book shelves don't have to span the entire width or height of a wall to have an impact or be of use. If it is just a selection of coffee table books you are looking for space for, strategically placed floating shelves can really make a visual impact and help create a focal point in a living room without a fireplace.
"Instead of a uniform bookcase, float shelves in staggered heights across a wall," suggests Joy Allen. "This adds visual movement and can be styled with art and objects to keep it from feeling heavy."
"You can hang floating shelves symmetrically or abstractly, turning your book collection into an interesting gallery," adds Evalina Juzėnaitė. "Small artwork, plants, or other objects can be placed between the shelves to soften the look."
10. Arrange your book shelves with care
Arranged well, book shelves can add to the overall decor of a space(Image credit: Marc Mauldin Photo. Design: Amber Guyton at Blessed Little Bungalow)
It isn't enough to just put up some shelving and cram your books on them if you want the whole thing to do justice to your home's interior design scheme. You really need to think through how you organise the space.
"When designing bookshelves, I like to strike a balance: they shouldn’t be crammed full (unless we’re going for a true library feel), but they also shouldn’t sit sparsely decorated," explains Courtney Batten. "One of my go-to layouts includes closed storage on the bottom (like cabinets or drawers) with open shelves above. That keeps the visual clutter down low and allows for curated display at eye level, where it makes the most impact."
"The book storage in this space does more than organise; it curates a wall of inspiration," she says. "With bold spines, layered objects, and intentional colour placement, the shelves become a design statement all of their own, reflecting both personality and purpose."
Amber Guyton
As the principal designer of Blessed Little Bungalow, Amber Guyton believes that you should love where you live, and loving your home shouldn’t require spending a fortune. After purchasing her second home, affectionately known as her own Blessed Little Bungalow, she decided to share her interior design journey, DIY adventures, decorating advice, and ultimately, services to the masses. With a former career in the marketing and tech world, Amber now focuses on pouring her heart into creating colorful spaces that excite and inspire.
11. Carve storage out of wall cavities
Carving an alcove out of a stud wall gives you an instant book storage spot(Image credit: Next Stage Design + Build)
In rooms with sloping ceilings and awkward angles, it can be hard to know where to place book shelves in a way that doesn't make them an obstacle as opposed to an asset. This is where it is useful to look into whether you could carve a shelving alcove out of a stud wall.
"Overlooked wall cavities are fantastic opportunities for built-in book displays that add function and charm to an otherwise dead space in your home," explains Courtney Batten.
In this loft conversion bedroom by Next Stage Design + Build, a small alcove has been formed to provide book storage as well as somewhere to keep clothes.
FAQs
Can you put shelves on a stud wall?
Stud walls are perfect for attaching shelves to, even floating designs.
The screws you use to fix the shelves must go directly into the timber noggins or studs behind the plasterboard. Either tap on the wall to find them or invest in an electric stud detector such as this 5 in 1 Stud Finder Wall Scanner from Amazon.
Don't overlook the potential your staircase holds for storing books either – there are lots of beautiful under stair storage ideas to make the most of this awkward space.
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Natasha was Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and was a member of the Homebuilding team for over two decades. In her role on Homebuilding & Renovating she imparted her knowledge on a wide range of renovation topics, from window condensation to renovating bathrooms, to removing walls and adding an extension. She continues to write for Homebuilding on these topics, and more. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she also writes for a number of other homes titles, including Homes & Gardens and Ideal Homes. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project.
