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Step 1
Remove everything off of the shelves. Clean and dust shelves. Separate all items into categories: Hardcover books, magazines, paperback books, decorative items, bookends, pictures.
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Step 2
Discard and recycle any items which you do not wish to replace onto the bookcase. This would include damaged and unsightly books, old magazines and newspapers, and broken or outdated decorative items.
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Step 3
Arrange books according to category, alphabetically, size and/or color. Keep hardcover books and paperback books separate. Save out some very attractive coffee table type books for last as they can be used as decorative items.
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Step 4
Line up books with the spine flush with the front edge of the shelv. Add bookends if needed to prevent the books for falling over. Avoid putting any objects on the top of a bookcase that is freestanding.
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Step 5
If you want your bookshelves to look like a library, do not add any decorative items. However, if you want more of a "Pottery Barn" type of designer look, add a few larger decorative items to match the decor of the room. For example, a large wooden sailboat and large metal letters that spell "sail" could be used in a nautical room.
Comments
arwen1964 said
on 7/19/2008 Donate unwanted books to local libraries, schools, or shelters.
ladyeve13 said
on 7/6/2008 A good-looking bookshelf is nice--but for people who have so many books that they can't keep track of them (let alone find the one they want in less than an hour), try downloading the freeware program Libra at www.getlibra.com. It also organizes music, movies, and video games--and it even looks nice.