10 Easy Ways to Organize And Decorate Your Bookshelves at Home

Most people shy away from bookshelves, fearing its potential for clutter, not to mention dust. But they can actually serve as your mini-library, as well as become a story-telling display at the same time.

1. Mix books and objects. To make it interesting, mix books with various objects around the house. Think of the basic elements of design-good balance and proportion will give shelves an orderly feel. But don't overdo it; cramming your shelves full of things will make it sag.

2. Color theory. Make a pretty bookshelf by organizing your books by the color of its spine. Put all yellows together, greens together, and the like making it look more organized.

3. Abutt a book. No bookend available? Keep your books or magazine from tipping off the shelves by abutting it with other stacked magazines or books of the same size.

4. Bookend, voila!. Another solution to missing bookends-a single stack of books flanked by two freestanding, heavy accessories makes for a nice basic arrangement and works easier than expected.

5. Stack me right. Who says books may only be kept standing on their spines? A combination of stacked and standing books looks more exciting than a long row of identically stored books.

6. Artistic reads. Beautiful and colorful art pieces (like a small painting or sculpture) peeking around a small stack of books can jazz up a bookshelf.

7. Top heavy. Place bigger accessories on the topmost shelves, since they are not used on a daily basis. This way, they can be seen well and keep the place organize.

8. Travel guides. To make your shelf tell a story, throw in souvenirs you've picked up from your trips to show guests where you've been and how it is.

9. Label it. If you want to go the library way, stick colored tape (available at school supply stores) to the spine of your books. Assign a color to a theme (food, interiors, fiction, etc.) and label it with a pen for easy reference.

10. Lighten Up!. Limit your stack of books from 10 to 12 each only to keep the set-up uncluttered and light.

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