Nothing beats cracking open a hardcover book after a long day at work. From science fiction to romance novels, digging into a good book is the perfect way to escape the stressful situations we come face to face with every day. That’s why we need to make sure to store them properly once we’re done reading for the day.
But, how do we organise them so that they don’t end up damaged or torn?
Don’t worry. We’re here to give you some great tips on how to properly store your books.
Storing your books at home
Let’s face it ― not many people are lucky enough to have a library in their homes. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some incredibly practical and affordable ways to show off their extensive book collection.
Bookshelves
Let’s start with the most obvious solution ― bookshelves. There are some amazing shelf designs out there that will make your collection look stunning. Furthermore, storing your books on a shelf will keep them in pristine condition, which is another positive aspect.
If you’re ready to get creative, then why not make your own DIY bookshelves? There’s nothing better than creating something that’s unique.
Here are a few interesting ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
- Staircase bookshelf
- Bookshelf in the shape of a tree
- Step-ladder bookshelf
- Pyramid bookshelf
Repurposing household items
We all have things in our homes that we’re ready to get rid of. However, there are several ways that you can repurpose all these items and turn them into something useful that you can use to store your books.
Moreover, if you really want to get creative, why not store them somewhere where no one would expect them? How about in some decorative wicker baskets? Now that’s an interesting thought!
Self-storage
There are some things in life that just aren’t meant to be thrown out. Books are definitely one of those things.
If you’ve been growing your collection for quite some time now, you most likely have a house full of books. If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of them, then the best solution for you is to book a storage unit. But first, let’s talk about the proper storage methods.
Preparing your books
The first thing you should do before packing up your books is to inspect them for any debris. Even if you’re unable to detect any, it’s best to take a dry cloth and wipe each one down, just in case.
The next step is to take inventory. This step isn’t mandatory, but it will make your life a lot easier by knowing exactly which book is in which box.
Additional tip: You should write your list of books on the box in which you plan to store them, as well as in a notebook. That way, if you forget your notebook at home, you’ll still be able to find the book you’re looking for without ripping open all the boxes.
Also, you need to remember to lay larger books flat. Storing them in an upright position may be tempting, as you can fit a lot more books into one box, but you will end up damaging their beautiful covers.
Remember to pick out boxes that are sealable so you can safely seal and stack them in your storage unit without having to worry about any dust particles entering them.
Furthermore, there are a few more things you need to remember when you’re arranging the boxes in your storage unit.
- Never stack near a radiator or heating vent.
- Stack in an area that doesn’t get any sunlight.
- Buy boxes or containers that are water and moisture-proof.
- Avoid wrapping your books in any type of plastic. That includes plastic foil and plastic bags.
- Always place the heaviest books on the bottom. This piece of advice may seem redundant, but it’s easy to forget once you start packing. Remember, paperback books should always be at the top.
- Remember to fill the entire box. Never leave any unused space. Obviously, by the time you get to your final box, you won’t have as many books to pack. You can use filler material such as Styrofoam or cardboard to finish up a box.
- If your storage unit doesn’t have any shelves, you can use wooden pallets instead. Just remember to keep the boxes off the ground in order to avoid any moisture absorption.
Whatever you choose to do, now you have the information to store your books like a pro.
As Mark Twain expertly put it: “Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”
Happy reading!
