I Turned My Dream Built-in Bookshelf into an Organized, Cozy Space

"Step 1: Start by Grouping Like Items Litman's first tip was to pull everything off the shelves and sort it into categories. "Start by grouping all your items together. Then decide what you want to showcase and group based on category," she says. "This could be grouping by collections, types of books, colors, or whatever you feel makes sense for your stuff.""

"When it came to the books themselves, Litman suggested organizing by purpose. "Grouping by topic is best," she says. "Kids' books on lower shelves make sense so they can grab and read. Grouping fiction books by genre is another great way to showcase the books. You can even group books by ones you are wanting to read, so they don't get lost in the shelves." I loved this logic. I gathered my cookbooks together, separated out fiction, nonfiction, and children's books, and stacked my beautiful coffee-table books horizontally to add texture."

"For me, that meant grouping like with like. I paired silver photo frames with a matching candlestick, and loosely arranged books by topic. Once everything was in piles, I could finally see what I had to work with. Once everything was sorted, Litman told me to start filling shelves without overthinking and move things around until they felt right. I also followed her advice to place heavier objects on lower shelves and keep smaller, lighter items at eye level. The difference was instant; the entire bookcase"

Pull everything off the shelves and sort items into clear categories such as collections, book types, or colors. Pair matching decorative pieces, like frames and candlesticks, to create coherent vignettes. Group books by function or topic, placing children’s books on lower shelves, fiction by genre, and stacking large coffee-table books horizontally for texture. Keep books you plan to read together so they remain visible. Place heavier or larger objects on lower shelves and smaller, lighter items at eye level to balance visual weight. Style shelves from the bottom up, moving pieces until arrangements feel balanced and uncluttered.

Read at Apartment Therapy