4 fun ways to organize your bookshelf

Having a nicely organized collection of books adds a personal touch to your decor and ensures that you're always able to find something to read.

Finding the best way to organize books can be a burden if you don't have a plan. Stacking them sloppily on a shelf can make your home feel cluttered and unattractive. So what's the best way to organize a bookshelf? By keeping both its aesthetic and function in mind.

One of the easiest and best ways to organize a bookshelf is similar to the method used in libraries and bookstores.

• You can choose to organize a bookshelf from A to Z by the author's last name or title of the book.

If you like to read particular genres, you might appreciate being able to find a book you want based on its category.

• Breaking books down into fiction, non-fiction and poetry, and then into sub-categories like mystery, romance, comedy and cooking, will make it easier for you to grab the book you need.
• This is especially helpful for avid readers with many books to arrange.

An old trend that's coming back is organizing bookshelves by colour.

• This provides many different options and also contributes to the look and feel of a home.
• If your bookshelf is in a prominent space like the living room or dining room, colour coding can make the shelf very attractive.
• You can turn your bookshelves into a rainbow or feature colours that match the decor of the rest of the room.

A somewhat unusual way to organize books is based on how they made you feel.

• Book lovers know that friends often aren't as interested in subject matter as they are in where the story will take them.
• When your friend or family member asks you to recommend a sad book or a happy one, you'll be able to grab one straight off the shelf.

Finding the best way to organize a bookshelf greatly depends on personal preference. Try a few different methods and you're sure to find the system that works for you.