How to Declutter and Organize a Book Collection

Book collections start off innocently enough, but before you know it, you’ve somehow amassed hundreds of them and you can’t bear to part with a single one. “Many of us are attached to our books for various reasons. They could remind us of a period in our lives or a special gift from a loved one,” says Linda DiBias, professional home organizer.

She adds, “Large book collections are built with the best intentions—projects we want to complete, recipes we’d like to make, or a book a friend recommended.” This causes our bookshelves to get a little unruly and disorganized with books we no longer need or want.

Decluttering and organizing books is a challenge, for sure, but not one you can’t solve. Need some inspiration to tidy up your at-home library? We asked organizing experts for the best ways to organize books to highlight your treasured collection. 

How to Declutter and Donate Books 

Before organizing all the books you plan to keep, take stock of your collection to ensure you’re left with only items you want to keep. 

“Start from scratch by removing your books off the shelves and sorting them into four categories: keep, donate, sell, gift, or recycle,” DiBias says. “If you’re unsure, a book you haven’t read in years and doesn’t feel like you will probably means it’s time for it to find another home.” 

• Discard highly damaged books, including those with mold or mildew.
• Sell valuable books you no longer want.
• Donate or sell multiples, or very similar books where you may only need to keep one.
• Donate or sell any unwanted books you don’t think you’ll read (ever or again) and that you’re not attached to.

You can donate books to charitable thrift stores, local libraries, schools, nursing homes, shelters, or anywhere else that may need books. (Reach out in advance to confirm there is a demand and for any donation instructions.) Valuable books can be sold on digital marketplaces like eBay or at local bookstores that sell collectibles. 

If any of your books have truly reached the end of their lifespan (and assuming they’re not damaged by water or extremely yellowed), you can recycle them. Check local guidelines, but most paperbacks can go in the recycling bin as-is. Hard books must have their covers removed and thrown in the regular trash as they are made of nonrecyclable materials.

Book Organizing Methods 

Take your book organizing inspiration from these expert-approved solutions. 

Order by Color

Organizing books by color is a fun, pretty way to add some color and cohesion to your space. Lindsey Mahanna, professional organizer and founder of Clutter to Clarity, recommends this method for small to medium-sized collections, noting that “it can be hard to maintain—and can be hard to find what you are looking for—when you have a large amount of books.” Organizing by color can also work for book vignettes, like as decor on shelving or in little nooks. 

Categorize by Height or Size 

If a neat and modern look is more your vibe, arrange your book collection from tallest to shortest or vice versa, DiBias advises. “Add depth and visual interest by mixing vertical and horizontal stacks,” she adds. “A plant on top of a horizontal stack of books is a nice decorative touch. Or use bookends to make your books stand up—and out!”

Lean Into the Tsundoku Approach  

Tsundoku is a book collecting method rooted in Japanese culture where you collect books for the sake of having books. The idea is to scatter them throughout your house in a way that really puts them on display. For example, maybe stacked books are used as a makeshift side table, or there’s a tower right next to your bookshelf. The idea is to keep the vibes breezy and purposefully “lived in.” 

Organize by Genre and Author

Take inspiration from libraries and bookstores by organizing large book collections by the genre and then further by the author, Mahanna suggests. The goal is to make it easy to sort through a large collection. For example, maybe you have biographies, literature, gardening, and philosophy collections, and then each of these is further organized by the author’s last name. 

Try a Reading Rotation 

Take the concept of a “seasonal closet,” and apply it to your book collection. This is a great solution for those with smaller spaces or people who don’t want to display a ton of books at one time. Simply organize your books into seasonal or thematic rotations. For example, keep cozy novels and classic literature accessible in the fall and winter, then swap in beach reads and travel memoirs for spring and summer.