When I started getting books and building up my bookshelf, I can’t tell you how proud I was. 

Seeing all my books displayed and having the freedom to pick any one of them, flip through the pages – it was amazing.

I’ll tell you, one of the best things about earning my own money was finally being able to afford paperback and hardback books.

If you’re like me and you’ve been slowly and steadily growing your collection, or you already have a sizable number of books, then you’ve probably thought about how to arrange them. 

Now that it’s spring, this is the perfect time to refresh everything on your bookshelf. 

In this post, I’ve listed several ways to organize your books so that your shelf is beautiful, easy to manage, and puts you in the best mood.

1. Alphabetical Order

If you want a super simple way to organize your books, alphabetical order is the way to go. 

Whether you arrange them by author or title, it’s a classic method that’s easy to implement and keeps your collection neat and tidy.

The Good:

• Super easy to do

• Makes finding books a breeze

• Works great for big collections

The Bad:

• Might not be the most creative or visually interesting

I’ve used this method before, and honestly, it’s a life-saver when I need to find a book fast. 

But if you’re someone who likes a little more flair on your bookshelf, this method can feel a bit basic. 

Still, it’s great if you just want to keep things simple and functional.

2. Genre Organization

If you’re the type of person who picks books based on your mood or current interests, organizing by genre is a great option. 

Whether it’s mystery, romance, or sci-fi, putting books in genres helps you start reading exactly what you’re craving.

The Good:

• Perfect for when you’re in the mood for a specific genre

• Makes browsing easy and fun

The Bad:

• Can get tricky if books fit into multiple genres

I’ve tried this, and it’s so helpful when I’m looking for something specific. 

If I’m in the mood for a good romance or mystery, it’s easy to just pick a genre and go for it. 

But, sometimes books cross genres, and that can make it a little tricky to figure out where to put them.

3. Color Coordination

Now, if you’re someone who’s all about aesthetics, organizing by color could be the way to go.

You can create a rainbow effect or stick to a more monochrome look – either way, your bookshelf will look like a piece of art.

The Good:

• Beautiful to look at

• Adds some personality and style to your space

The Bad:

• Can make it hard to find a specific book unless you remember its color

I’ve tried color coordination, and while it looks amazing, I will admit that it can be a little frustrating when I’m trying to find a specific book.

Still, it’s a great way to turn your bookshelf into a statement piece that adds charm to your room.

Best for: People who want their bookshelf to be a design element in the room.

Also See: The Best Spring Cleaning Challenge Every Book Lover Needs

4. Size and Shape

Organizing by size and shape is another great way to keep your bookshelf looking neat. 

Whether you go for symmetry or a more creative approach with varying sizes, this method can help you create balance in your space.

The Good:

• Keeps things neat and balanced

• Works well in smaller spaces

The Bad:

• You’ll need to adjust things as your collection grows

I love how this method creates a tidy and minimalistic look, especially if you’re working with a small shelf. 

But as your collection grows, you might find yourself adjusting things pretty often. 

It’s perfect for people who like a clean, simple look, though.

5. Author’s Last Name

For those of us who have a lot of books by the same author, organizing by the author’s last name is a great way to keep things together. 

It’s a little more specific than alphabetical order, but it keeps books grouped by their creators.

The Good:

• Keeps books by the same author together

• Great for collectors

The Bad:

• Can be tricky with books that are part of a series or collaborations

I’ve done this with my favorite authors, and it’s worked out well for large collections. 

But, it can get tricky if you’re dealing with series or collaborations, since you have to decide where those go. 

Still, it’s perfect if you want to group your authors together.

6. By Read vs. Unread

This method is as simple as it sounds: split your books into two categories – books you’ve read and books you haven’t. 

It’s a great way to keep track of your progress and motivate you to read those books sitting on your shelf.

The Good:

• Makes it easy to see what’s still waiting to be read

• Helps keep you motivated to finish your “to-read” list

The Bad:

• Can get cluttered over time

• Might not be the most aesthetically pleasing

I’ve used this method for a while, and it’s super helpful when I need a reminder of what I haven’t read yet. 

But, I’ve noticed that over time, my “unread” section tends to grow, and that can feel a little overwhelming.

Related: 75 Springtime Self-Care Ideas for Bookworms and Dreamers

7. By Personal Importance or Emotional Connection

This one’s all about creating a bookshelf that reflects your personal journey as a reader. 

Organize books by how much they mean to you – whether it’s a book that reminds you of a special time in your life or a favorite from childhood.

The Good:

• Creates a super personal bookshelf

• Reflects your experiences and memories

The Bad:

• Might not be the most practical method for finding books quickly

I absolutely love this approach when I’m in the mood for some nostalgia or reflection. 

It’s a great way to showcase your personal reading history, but if you’re in a hurry to find something specific, it’s not the easiest method.

8. By Publication Date

Organizing by publication date is perfect for history buffs or those who love seeing how literature has evolved over time. 

It’s a fun way to trace the timeline of your book collection.

The Good:

• Creates a literary timeline

• Interesting if you love tracing the history of literature

The Bad:

• Can be hard if you don’t know exact publication dates

• Not ideal for someone who prefers browsing by theme

If you love the idea of seeing how books have evolved over time, this method can be pretty fun. 

But if you don’t have publication dates memorized, it can be a bit tricky to implement.

9. By Series or Collection

Grouping books by series or collection makes it easy to follow a story arc or keep related books together. 

Whether it’s a trilogy, a collection of short stories, or books from the same author, this method keeps everything nice and organized.

The Good:

• Keeps books from the same series together

• Makes following long-running stories easy

The Bad:

• Can take up a lot of space

• Might limit room for other books

This method is perfect for those who love reading series, like me.

It’s easy to keep all the books in the same collection together, but it can take up quite a bit of space on the shelf, so be mindful of that.

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10. Hybrid System (A Mix of Methods)

If you can’t pick just one method, why not combine a few? 

You can organize by genre, then arrange books within each genre by color, or group series together while keeping everything in alphabetical order. 

The possibilities are endless!

The Good:

• Combines the best of both worlds

• Gives you the flexibility to mix style and function

The Bad:

• Takes a little more planning

• Can be time-consuming to maintain

I’ve tried a hybrid approach, and I really enjoy it. 

It lets me be creative while still keeping things organized. 

I mix genres and color, and sometimes I group series together, depending on how I feel.

This is perfect for people who want a little bit of everything.

At the end of the day, organizing your bookshelf is all about what works best for you. 

I’ve tried a few of these methods myself, and I’ve found that the best approach is the one that makes you feel good about your space.