Just because you live in small space doesn’t mean you should have to be reading everything on Kindle. If you’re a true bibliophile, you probably leave dozens (or hundreds) of books lying out all around your home. Instead of shoving them under the bed or trying to get your mom to store them for you, you should figure out how to use your books to add color and beauty to your apartment. So how you can display them without looking like you’re on an episode of “Hoarders?” Here are the best ways to incorporate a library into any small space:

USE BOOKSHELVES AS DIVIDERS

If you live in a studio apartment or need to divide a single room into multiple sections, consider investing in a pair of large, open bookshelves. You’ll be able to use them to split up the room without actually enclosing it or having to hang anything from the ceiling. A couple of bookcases can make up the wall of a makeshift bedroom while showing all your titles off to guests. Should you ever feel like revamping your living space, you can reposition the shelves to create an entirely new layout.

DISPLAY BOOKS IN A HALLWAY

Too often, small apartment owners under-utilize their hallways. Get rid of the dead space by hanging up a few shelves and displaying some books along the hall. You’ll be using your living area to its full potential and make some DIY book art in the process. Find out how much weight your shelves will be able to bear before putting too many books on them.

TURN A CLOSET INTO A LIBRARY

If you happen to have an unused closet in your apartment or would be willing to store your clothes and other belongings elsewhere, you could create a mini-library. If you’re lucky enough to have a walk-in closet, put a chair or a bean bag in there and turn it into a full-fledged reading room. Hang up some lights or plug in a few lamps to complete this ultimate bookworm oasis. Continue Reading