10 Fun Book Storage Ideas to Encourage Young Readers
Here's how to instil a love of the written word in your little ones – by making their books more easily accessible to them
My mum tells me that as a little girl I would memorise children’s books and then recite them to my baby brother, pretending I was reading them. This is how I first developed my love of books and reading, and I remember all my favourites always being close at hand whenever I wanted them.
Reading to children creates lifelong memories. I still feel a wave of happy nostalgia when I see Blueberries for Sal, Babar and Are You My Mother? Keeping books easy to see and reach can ensure that you and your kids enjoy them more often. When little ones are in the cot, display books so the grown-ups can easily choose and grab one at story time. As your kids start walking around, you’ll want spots they can see and reach themselves.
Reading to children creates lifelong memories. I still feel a wave of happy nostalgia when I see Blueberries for Sal, Babar and Are You My Mother? Keeping books easy to see and reach can ensure that you and your kids enjoy them more often. When little ones are in the cot, display books so the grown-ups can easily choose and grab one at story time. As your kids start walking around, you’ll want spots they can see and reach themselves.
2. In a wagon
I love the idea of a toddler being able to pull his or her books around – it’s a mini-bookmobile for the house. This is also a great way to incorporate a cheery vintage American Radio Flyer wagon into the decor.
Rug: Pottery Barn Kids
I love the idea of a toddler being able to pull his or her books around – it’s a mini-bookmobile for the house. This is also a great way to incorporate a cheery vintage American Radio Flyer wagon into the decor.
Rug: Pottery Barn Kids
3. On picture rails
Children’s book covers are so colourful and artful that they can be a wonderful addition to the decor of a room. In this room, the books are propped up on picture rails gallery-style, and their bright colours add to the welcoming style of the nursery. They are easy to see and pull down for a cuddle and a read in the comfy chair next to the rails.
Clever ways to display kids’ art
Children’s book covers are so colourful and artful that they can be a wonderful addition to the decor of a room. In this room, the books are propped up on picture rails gallery-style, and their bright colours add to the welcoming style of the nursery. They are easy to see and pull down for a cuddle and a read in the comfy chair next to the rails.
Clever ways to display kids’ art
The cover art often includes happy primary colours. Here, the designers used a bold yellow wall paint behind the picture rails that highlights the book covers.
Rocker: Monde; cushion: Jonathan Adler
Rocker: Monde; cushion: Jonathan Adler
4. On repurposed shelves
Interior designer Jennifer Bishop painted wooden spice racks from Ikea orange, and put them to creative use. They are deep enough for a few stuffed animal friends to join in the fun.
Bekväm spice rack (used as shelf): Ikea
Interior designer Jennifer Bishop painted wooden spice racks from Ikea orange, and put them to creative use. They are deep enough for a few stuffed animal friends to join in the fun.
Bekväm spice rack (used as shelf): Ikea
5. On a plate rack
Mounting a plate rack to the wall saves floor space, which is particularly useful in a nursery where space is tight. Vintage or new, plate racks are just the right size for children’s books, which tend to be slim.
Plate rack: Pottery Barn; bench seat: Land of Nod
How to hang up (almost) anything
Mounting a plate rack to the wall saves floor space, which is particularly useful in a nursery where space is tight. Vintage or new, plate racks are just the right size for children’s books, which tend to be slim.
Plate rack: Pottery Barn; bench seat: Land of Nod
How to hang up (almost) anything
This is a more contemporary and streamlined take on the plate-rack idea.
6. On whimsically designed shelves
The Bookworm Bookshelf by Ron Arad can be configured in different ways. It gives the books a big sculpture to rest upon.
The Bookworm Bookshelf: The Conran Shop
The Bookworm Bookshelf by Ron Arad can be configured in different ways. It gives the books a big sculpture to rest upon.
The Bookworm Bookshelf: The Conran Shop
8. In a boat
This boat-shaped storage unit keeps books neat, organised and within easy reach.
This boat-shaped storage unit keeps books neat, organised and within easy reach.
9. Under a window seat
A cosy cushioned seat under the window makes for a wonderful reading nook. All of the reading material is close at hand in the storage area below.
Light: Trianon: rug: Dominion Rug; Genevieve curtain fabric: Pierre Frey
A cosy cushioned seat under the window makes for a wonderful reading nook. All of the reading material is close at hand in the storage area below.
Light: Trianon: rug: Dominion Rug; Genevieve curtain fabric: Pierre Frey
10. In a secret fort
This grown-up library contains a secret …
This grown-up library contains a secret …
… there’s a hidden door to a secret fort behind the shelves, where the kids can stash their favourite titles.
TELL US
Have you come up with an ingenious storage idea for your kids’ books and toys? Tell us all about it in the Comments section?
MORE
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World of Design: 11 Book Lovers and Where They Like to Read
TELL US
Have you come up with an ingenious storage idea for your kids’ books and toys? Tell us all about it in the Comments section?
MORE
Toy Storage Ideas as Beautiful as They Are Brilliant
10 of the Best Kids’ Book Nooks for Budding Readers
World of Design: 11 Book Lovers and Where They Like to Read
Talking about displaying books on Houzz can be a bit tricky, as bibliophiles tend to object to arranging books by colour or using books just for decor. But children’s books are a big exception. Displaying them adds to the decor of a room, but – more importantly – it also makes them easy for little eyes to see and for little hands to grab at reading time. It’s all about function.
Here, display shelves to the floor are within the reach of toddlers in this family-friendly reading space. It’s a great way for all ages to feel included.