20 Book Storage and Display Ideas

Books can be many things to different people.

For some of us, books are just another household item in need of storage space. But, for others, books are cherished belongings that deserve to be shown off.

Regardless of the side you find yourself on, book storage is far from one size fits all. While you may be content with a run-of-the-mill bookcase, there are countless effective ways to store a home library.

Keep reading for the most creative book storage ideas worth trying in your own home!

1. Basket Organizers

Basket organizers offer a charming and rustic way to store your favorite reads. Place these in your living room or study for a cozy, accessible touch. They’re ideal for grouping books by genre or author, and their portability means you can easily move them around for a change of scenery or to make room for guests.

Wicker basket used for book storage on a couch, filled with hardcover books. A vintage typewriter and decor in the background. — Source: @andrearowe_coastwriter via Instagram

Wicker basket filled with firewood and a cozy blanket, surrounded by stacked books on a wooden floor against a light-colored wall. — Source: @mword_ via Instagram

A fabric-lined basket filled with books, journals, tarot cards, and small decorative items, placed on a wooden table with plants and flowers. — Source: @readbakegrow via Instagram

2. Metal Floor Rack

A metal floor rack brings a sleek, modern aesthetic to any room. Its durability and design allow for the display of both large and small volumes, making it a versatile choice for collectors and casual readers alike. This type of rack can serve as a focal point in a minimalist room or complement industrial-themed decor.

A black wire basket filled with children's books placed beside a cozy fireplace with a brick surround and firewood tools nearby. — Source: @thetimewedidnothing via Instagram

2. Bookshelf Headboard

Transform your bedroom into a reader’s haven with a bookshelf headboard. This innovative solution not only saves space but also keeps your favorite late-night reads within arm’s reach. Customize the shelves with ambient lighting to create a cozy atmosphere for your bedtime storytelling.

Cozy bedroom with a wooden bed frame featuring built-in book storage, warm lighting, decorative pillows, and a modern geometric blanket. — Source: @home_inspo_by_ms_jay via Instagram

Cozy bedroom with a headboard bookshelf filled with books, plants, and decor, featuring a fluffy cat lounging on a blue bedspread. — Source: @tygerjay via Instagram

3. End of Bed Bookshelf

An end-of-bed bookshelf is a smart and stylish way to utilize often-overlooked space. It’s perfect for showcasing a mix of books and decorative items, adding both function and character to your bedroom. This setup encourages a relaxing reading environment, making your bedroom a true sanctuary.

Cozy bedroom with a wooden bed frame featuring built-in bookshelf storage at the foot of the bed, neatly filled with colorful books. — Source: @jessaclara via Instagram

4. Book Cabinet

A book cabinet with glass doors is both functional and elegant. It protects your cherished collection from dust while allowing you to display your books artfully. Choose a cabinet that complements your room’s color scheme and fills it with both books and a few decorative items for a balanced look.

A hidden book closet with neatly arranged books on multiple shelves, illuminated by a small lamp, behind a door with a glass panel. — Source: @genx97 via Instagram

Elegant living room with a built-in white book cabinet filled with colorful books, a wall-mounted TV, and a stylish green chaise lounge.

White armoire repurposed as a bookshelf, filled with books and decorative items, with open doors revealing neatly arranged shelves. — Source: @mikkel.skov_myspace via Instagram

5. Wall-Mounted Crate Shelf

Wall-mounted crate shelves add a unique, rustic charm to any room. These versatile shelves can be arranged in various configurations to fit your space and design preferences. They’re perfect for showcasing your books and can be easily personalized with paint or decorative lining.

Wall-mounted white wooden crates labeled "Read," "Learn," and "Grow," used as book storage for children's books and toys. — Source: @ella_and_enna via Instagram

6. DIY Bookshelf Using Shoe Box

Get creative and sustainable by transforming shoe boxes into a quirky bookshelf. This DIY project is not only cost-effective but also allows you to tailor the size and color to your space. It’s a fun way to display smaller books and can be a great weekend activity with kids.

DIY book storage made from cardboard boxes, decorated with hand-drawn labels and filled with colorful children's books, placed on the floor. — Source: @mama.orayb via Instagram

8. Books on Top of the Kitchen Cabinets

Utilizing the space above kitchen cabinets for book storage is both unexpected and practical. It adds a warm, lived-in feel to your kitchen and is perfect for storing cookbooks or novels. Ensure the books are arranged neatly and are easily accessible with a step stool.

Cozy kitchen with white and navy cabinets, featuring books stored in upper open shelving above cabinets, alongside a black fridge and rustic decor. — Source: @the_unprofessional_decorator via Instagram

9. Modular Shelf

A modular shelf offers endless possibilities for customization and reconfiguration. This dynamic storage solution adapts to your changing needs and can grow with your book collection. Its contemporary design makes it a striking addition to any modern home.

Kitchen bookshelf filled with cookbooks, nutrition guides, and food-related books, alongside glass jars and a vintage floral bowl. — Source: @seventhheavenmama via Instagram

10. Bookshelves with TV

Integrating bookshelves around your TV creates a harmonious blend of entertainment and literature. This layout encourages a balanced lifestyle between screen time and reading. Choose a symmetrical design for a sleek look or an asymmetrical one for a more dynamic feel.

Modern living room with a sleek built-in bookshelf and storage unit, featuring books, decor, and two cats, one sitting inside a shelf. — Source: @d_park_35 via Instagram

Modern living room with a sleek built-in entertainment unit featuring open shelves for books and decor, a large TV, and a fluffy cat nearby. — Source: @d_park_35 via Instagram

11. Floating Shelves

Floating shelves provide a clean, minimalistic look and are perfect for displaying books in small spaces. They create an illusion of space and can be arranged artistically to draw the eye upward. Use these shelves to create a visually appealing book display in any room.

Cozy living room with floating white bookshelves filled with books, CDs, and plants, a plush blue sectional sofa, and warm decor accents. — Source: @pandora.maxton via Instagram

Warm and inviting nursery reading nook with floating wooden bookshelves filled with children's books, a wooden chair, and a toy storage crate. — Source: @cupofjoely via Instagram

Soft pink nursery with a cozy reading nook, featuring floating bookshelves, a comfy gray rocking chair, and a small bookshelf beside a lamp. — Source: @killington_collection via Instagram

Cozy reading nook with wall-mounted bookshelves decorated with greenery, large LEGO storage blocks, a rattan chair, and a cat on a brick wall backdrop. — Source: @s.e.w.athome via Instagram

Cozy nursery reading nook with floating bookshelves, a beige accent chair with jungle-themed pillows, and a large plush giraffe. — Source: @at_number_29 via Instagram

Wall-mounted wooden bookshelves holding colorful children's books, creating a rustic and organized reading space against a gray wall. — Source: @cmhwoodworking via Instagram

Creative space-saving bookshelf mounted above a doorway, neatly storing colorful books in a cozy, well-lit room. — Source: @the_essex_reader via Instagram

Charming nursery reading corner with floating bookshelves, personalized name decor, soft pastel bunting, and a cozy seating area. — Source: @the_reynolds_good_room via Instagram

Simple wooden wall-mounted bookshelf with a minimalist design, holding a small collection of books in a cozy room with warm lighting. — Source: @balint_adamis via Instagram

Minimalist wall-mounted wooden shelves displaying colorful children's books in various languages, arranged neatly on a light-textured wall. — Source: @ttfenglish via Instagram

Colorful wall-mounted bookshelves at a child's level, neatly holding board books in pastel pink, purple, teal, and beige racks. — Source: @loriesolutions via Instagram

Adorable nursery reading corner with wooden wall-mounted bookshelves, a small wooden table and chair, and plush toys against a gray wall. — Source: @raskly.se via Instagram

12. Wooden Magazine Rack

A wooden magazine rack is a timeless addition to your reading nook or living room. It’s perfect for organizing magazines, small books, or daily reads. This piece adds a touch of classic elegance and keeps your favorite publications neatly displayed and within reach.

Soft and cozy nursery with a small wooden book rack filled with children's books and a plush bunny, next to a white crib and pastel decor. — Source: @lovenikkile via Instagram

13. Ladder Bookshelf

A ladder bookshelf adds a playful, yet sophisticated touch to any room. Its unique design allows for an airy, open display of books and decor. It works well in smaller spaces and adds vertical interest to your room.

Minimalist reading nook with a modern ladder bookshelf displaying books, a red chair with stacked books, and a cozy floor lamp on a shag rug.

Bookcase — Source: @ryan.oktapratama via Instagram

14. Cube Storage

Cube storage units are incredibly versatile and can be used in virtually any room. They offer both open and closed storage options for books, making them practical for storing a mix of display-worthy and utilitarian items. Arrange the cubes in creative ways to add visual interest.

Colorful children's books neatly arranged in white cube shelves with striped storage bins, topped with toy vehicles, under "Let's Just Play" wall art. — Source: @sortedspacestx via Instagram

15. Desk Book Rack

A desk book rack keeps your reference materials and favorite reads at your fingertips. This solution is perfect for small spaces, offering convenient storage without sacrificing valuable desk space. Choose a rack that complements your desk’s style for a cohesive look.

Colorful nursery reading corner with a white book rack filled with children's books, rainbow decorations, and a "Storytime" wall sign. — Source: @hadleys_home via Instagram

16. Under-the-Stairs Bookshelf

Utilize the underutilized space beneath your stairs with a custom bookshelf. This ingenious solution adds storage and character to your home. Tailor the shelves to fit the unique dimensions of the space for a seamless, built-in look.

Space-saving under-stair bookshelf filled with books, a cozy reading chair, and a children's play kitchen set on a wooden floor. — Source: @playandwood via Instagram

17. Wall-To-Wall Shelves

Wall-to-wall shelves create a stunning visual impact and offer ample storage for even the most extensive collections. This design makes a bold statement and transforms your books into a striking feature of your home.

Cozy bookstore or library corner with wooden bookshelves filled with a diverse collection, a stone floor, and a small reading table with chairs. — Source: @inpursuitofagoodread via Instagram

Sleek built-in white bookshelves filled with a diverse collection of books, featuring lower cabinets for extra storage in a well-lit reading space. — Source: @rachel_rose_designs via Instagram

Cozy reading nook with built-in bookshelves and a wooden bench under large windows, featuring a relaxed dog on a patterned rug. — Source: @theperksofpages via Instagram

18. Bookends

Bookends are not just functional; they are a chance to inject personality into your book display. Choose from a wide range of styles, from sleek and modern to whimsical and artistic, to keep your books upright and add a decorative touch to your shelves.

Minimalist wooden book rack holding a small collection of books on wellness and learning, placed on a wooden surface against a neutral wall. — Source: @moderneta_homes via Instagram

19. Cylinder Bookcase

A cylinder bookcase is a unique and eye-catching option. Its circular design allows for 360-degree display and access, making it a functional piece of art. It’s perfect for creating a focal point in a room and for those who love a contemporary twist.

Modern space-saving rotating bookshelf in a stylish living room, filled with colorful books, next to a blue sofa and decorative wall art. — Source: @storemepretty via Instagram

20. DIY Customized Bookshelf

Create a bookshelf that perfectly fits your space and style with a DIY project. This approach allows you to tailor the dimensions, color, and finish to your liking. A customized bookshelf can be a rewarding project that results in a piece that’s uniquely yours.

Handcrafted mountain-shaped wooden bookshelves with unique geometric peaks, featuring multiple storage compartments in a woodworking shop. — Source: @5thstwoodworks via Instagram

Whimsical tree-shaped bookshelf mounted on a wall, filled with colorful books and decorated with warm fairy lights for a cozy ambiance. — Source: @a_kidlbitofeverything via Instagram

Rustic wooden pyramid-shaped bookshelf holding children's books and a decorative pitcher, placed against a neutral-toned wall. — Source: @champagneandsweettea via Instagram

Stylish wooden bookshelf with books, plants, and modern decor, set against a white wall with gold bird sculptures and a light wood floor. — Source: @themodproject via Instagram

Modern bookshelf with an artistic geometric design, featuring angled compartments that create a dynamic and stylish way to store books. — Source: @genx97 via Instagram

FAQs

How do you keep books safe during storage?

It’s easy to forget how long our personal libraries have been sitting on their respective shelves or stowed in boxes out of sight. But that time can add up quickly when it comes to environmental damage!

Keep books away from direct sunlight, moisture, and fluctuating temperatures. This is important whether your books are displayed on a bookshelf or tucked away in a closet.

Dust could actually be one of the most harmful things for books. Acidic compounds found in household dust can eat away at the paper over time. Be sure to dust your book collection periodically to prevent this damage.

Should you keep the dust jackets on hardcover books?

Many book enthusiasts prefer the look and feel of a hardback without the dust jacket. If longevity is your goal, however, you’ll be best off keeping the dust jackets on your books during storage.

If you must remove the dust jacket — whether for comfort or aesthetics — keep it somewhere safe in the meantime. A dust jacket can provide valuable protection if you ever need to put your book in long-term storage in the future.