10+ Bibliophile-Approved Things to Do With a Lot of Books

The only downside of being a bibliophile is getting outnumbered by your colossal book collection. But what can you do with a lot of books other than cry over all the ones you haven’t read yet? From integrating them into your home décor to finding the perfect place to donate them, we’ve got many options for what to do with a lot of books that’ll come to the rescue.

If you have a ton of books, chances are you want to keep them close. Purposeful design helps overflowing bookshelves feel intentional. One way to visually communicate this intentionality is by stacking your books in color-coordinated piles. Organize the spines by color or a repeating pattern that matches something prominent in the room.

You don’t have to hide your piles of books! Instead, find a way to make them feel intentionally placed in your space.

Your books are probably freeloaders, so why not put them to work? Replace side tables and stands with piles of artfully stacked books. That vase you made in a pottery class or your small family of succulents will look right at home on a pile of old tomes.

Listen, if you’re a lazy decorator like us, fashion your piles of books into a statement piece. Transform a pile of books from an eyesore into an eye-catching part of the room by playing with the visual concept of levels. Put taller stacks in the background and stack increasingly smaller piles in front of them. This is a great low-cost way to make your book piles feel less messy.

While you’re stacking piles of books throughout your house, consider adding a fashionable flare. Cut strips of organza ribbon and tie them around small stacks for a romantic effect. You wouldn’t think a strip of ribbon would turn a pile of books into a centerpiece, but it works every time.

Have a place that’s low on floor space? Take advantage of any empty wall real estate with a few floating bookshelves. They’re pretty easy to construct and look both modern and elegant. Keep your favorites close at hand with some floating shelves in every room.

Related: 40+ Reading Nook Ideas to Create the Perfect Cozy Space

There are practically infinite design options when you have an open floor plan. Break up the wide space with a large bookshelf divider. It’s far cheaper and less permanent than putting in a new wall. Pre-built bookshelves are usually too small for big home libraries, but a larger shelf will do nicely.

If you’ve got a TBR list a mile long and go through a book every few days, then you may want a more accessible type of book storage décor. Embrace your inner bibliophile and replace your bedframe (or build around it) with a small bookshelf. This may take a little construction know-how, but it’s nothing you can’t DIY yourself.

A tape measure, a few pieces of plywood, screws, and some stain or paint later and you’ll have the headboard bookshelf of your dreams.

Thrifty shoppers can store some of their book collection in old luggage. From steamer trunks to quaint mid-century hard-shell suitcases, there’s always a piece of vintage luggage at the thrift store waiting to be picked up.

Fill your suitcases with extra books while you’re not using them and stack them on top of each other, decreasing the size as you go. See — you can give your home a vintage feel without breaking the bank.

If all those books are getting out of hand, it may be time to put them away semi-permanently. Sift through your collection and see which books you’re unlikely to pull out in the next few months.

Once you’ve divvied up your piles, you can store the extra books in crates or bins. Remember, while you love your books, they don’t always need to be in your eyeline.

If you’re not possessive of your book collection and want to spread the wealth of knowledge, you can start a community library. These mini library stands are small boxes where people pick up books for free and donate their old ones to keep the cycle going.

On top of helping inspire people to read in your area, it also frees up space for you to buy even more books!

Of course, if you feel overwhelmed by your stacks or don’t want to pay the storage/moving fees associated with them, you can donate your books. Used bookstores and thrift stores aren’t your only option! There are other community groups that could benefit from your gently used books:

• Women’s shelters
• Schools
• Book banks
• Literacy programs
• Homeless shelters
• Prison book programs

Before you donate your books, make sure they meet all of the organization’s requirements such as their condition, genre, and reading level. Also, be sure to thoughtfully package your books before dropping them off.

Don’t let any clutter-haters shame you for having piles and piles of books at home. Celebrate your love for reading by incorporating them into your home décor or storing them in interesting ways. Or, if it’s time to say bye-bye to some of your books, donate them to a good cause.