The Unexpected Item You Should Stop Storing On Your Shelf

Open shelves are fantastic for storing many items. From candles to home decor and even greenery, you can store basically anything on these shelves without doors. One thing, however, that you should stop storing on your open shelves is books with covers (or paper sleeves). Since the appeal of open shelving is their clean and minimalist aesthetic in your home, placing several books with covers on them can create a messy and unkempt look, ruining the clean and sleek vibe you're going for.

The same idea goes for magazines and paperback books. Since these typically can look messy, frayed, or ripped, it's best to keep these off of your open shelves and instead in a closed cabinet or drawer. Or, for a different vibe, you can explore ways to incorporate books as art in your home, so that no book is left behind and out of sight.

Whether you're just starting to grow your book collection or have been an avid reader for years, below are some hints and hacks on properly storing your books to keep them (and your shelves) looking pristine.

If you're a book fanatic and happen to have many books with paper covers, the best way to store them on your open shelving is to remove the cover, exposing the beautiful hardcover book underneath. This will create a more refined and organized look on your shelves, even if you have a large collection. Take off the covers and store them in a drawer if you truly cherish them, or feel free to discard them.

Additionally, there are other organization tips that will make your bookshelf so much better looking. These include making sure to store your books straight and upright on your shelves. Doing this ensures that they don't slump over and bend, not only ruining your beloved collection, but making your space look uncared for. You can use bookends to accomplish this, and since there are (almost) endless options to choose from, you can match your bookends to the overall feel of your shelving. The exception to this rule is very large and heavy books, which should be stored horizontally to avoid them knocking over their smaller counterparts.

Remember to sort your uncovered books according to size for optimal visual appearance, storing like-sizes on the same shelf. Also, while you want to keep your shelves looking full to showcase your selection, don't make them so full that you can't easily pull your next read out. Make sure to dust your book collection often to keep them clean, but only with a cloth, as scented products can harm the book covers and inside pages.