5 Ways to Tidy Your Bookshelf (and Keep It That Way)
To tidy a bookshelf for good: move favourites you re-read to an e-reader, donate or gift what you won't read again, clear the forgotten pile on your nightstand, keep only the books you love on display, and stop new physical books from coming in until you've read what you own. That's the whole method. Here it is, step by step.
Talk is cheap — let's get to work.
Hey, you. Yes, you. I know you're a book lover. You love to read, and you own a library you are always adding to. I'm glad you're doing so well — but I have some bad news: there are a lot of books in your home right now that don't need to be there.
That doesn't mean you should throw them out. Just check them, organise them, and keep the ones you love. A well-organised bookshelf doesn't only look tidy; it helps you find your favourite reads quickly and makes the whole room calmer. (Not sure why to start here at all? Read why decluttering starts with your bookshelf.)
1. Put your favourites on an e-reader
E-readers are great for travelling, and they save you when there's no room left on the shelves. Download the e-book versions of books you re-read and take them anywhere. Digital books save space, reduce clutter and keep your collection organised without sacrificing your love of reading. I read several of the books in my own Library on Kindle.
2. Give them away instead of throwing them away
Take books to a charity shop, a library, a school or a little free library. You might make some money by selling them online — but remember, profit isn't the point right now. Don't keep a box of books waiting for a buyer. The important thing is to get them out quickly, especially if you are emotionally attached to pretty much everything you own. I know I am. The longer we keep them, the harder it gets, and soon we tell ourselves we "just don't have the time". So don't wait — rip the plaster off. Find a place and donate them. It will feel good. Giving always does.
Book exchanges and community swap shelves are another lovely option: your books get a second life and bring joy to someone new.
3. Gift books to friends who love reading
It's always nice to give away a book you loved, especially when you know the person will enjoy it. Books make thoughtful, personal gifts, and they start the best conversations. If you have duplicates, or books you've read and won't re-read, share them with a fellow reader.
4. Don't forget your nightstand
Check your to-read pile, the books next to your bed, and the ones you started and never finished. Are there any you're honestly never going to read? Let them go.
And don't keep old magazines and newspapers for one recipe or one article. Take a photo or scan the page. If you do keep a few, find a beautiful way to store them — a box, a single basket — so they don't turn into clutter.
5. Last and most important: keep it clean
Don't buy new books — at least not physical ones — until you have read the books you own and decided to keep. If you do buy, choose e-books or borrow from the library. Otherwise you'll end up exactly where you started: a messy bookshelf and a cluttered home.
Bonus: style what's left the shibumi way
Once the shelf is lighter, arrange it with intention. A few ideas inspired by Japanese interiors:
- Leave gaps. Don't refill the empty space. Breathing room on a shelf is what the Japanese call ma (間), and it lets each book be seen.
- Mix vertical and horizontal. A short horizontal stack can hold up a row and become a stand for one object.
- Add one natural element. A small vase with a single stem, a stone, a piece of pottery. One is enough.
- Calm the colours. Group books by spine colour or keep the loudest covers lower down. The shelf will feel quieter instantly.
- Give your favourite a face. Stand one beloved book cover-out, like a picture.
By keeping your bookshelf organised and resisting the urge to collect more than you can read, you create a peaceful, inspiring reading corner — and you can truly appreciate the books you love.
Happy decluttering!
Frequently asked questions
How do I organise books on a shelf so it looks good?
Remove what you don't love, leave some empty space, mix upright rows with small horizontal stacks, add one natural object, and group by colour or size. Calm beats full.
Where can I donate old books?
Charity shops, public libraries (for their sales), schools, community centres, little free libraries and book exchanges all welcome books in good condition. Recycle the ones that are damaged.
Should I switch to an e-reader?
If you're short on space or travel often, yes — for the books you re-read or want to try. Keep paper copies for the books that mean the most to you as objects.
