Creative ideas for book storage if you can't afford another bookshelf/shelves...

[Sue G in PA]

Okay, my bookshelves runneth over :D I'm sure nobody here can relate :D Even w/ a substantial tax refund (which has already been earmarked for other expenses), we just can't afford another bookshelf (to be honest, I'd rather spend the money elsewhere). So...any creative ideas on how/where to store/shelve books? I have a rather large bookshelf filled with my and dh's books, misc. items, etc. but have no idea WHERE to put those to make room for the over-abundance of hs materials/books we have. I'm already using an old changing table and a top pantry shelf. I'm outa ideas. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[melissel]

No suggestions (outside of double-layering paperbacks and decluttering as much as you can), but I;m taking notes, because just this morning we picked up a box of science books from a Freecycler that I knew would put us over bookshelf capacity, LOL!

[Whisperlily]

I used milk crates for a while. :) I picked them up off of freecycle a few years back, and they were our overflow bookshelves for quite a while. They stack on their sides, like cube shelves, or you can stack them the traditional way in a closet, for books you don't need regularly.

I also have used them for quite a few other things. ;)

I've used baskets and boxes, too. Anything where you can still see the spine of the books to know what you have.

[KristineIN]

Check freecycle, declutter and get rid of books. Sorry those are my only suggestions.

Kristine

[Jenstet]

Yardsale season cometh. I would keep my eyes open for freebies. What about those bins at Wal-mart. 4 dollars each. You could store them by subject or reading level.
I have a friend who buys movies for her kids but after a few weeks will donate them to the library. She can check them out as aften as she likes and doesn't have to store them. You could do that with some of those books you like to have but don't really look at that often.
Sometimes people are giving away shipping palettes(don't know how to spell sorry) If you were really handy you could make something out of the wood from those. Lots of sanding.
I would also look for a place going out of business. They may be willing to part with shelving pretty cheap.
I don't know what I would do without shelving. We have adjustable shelving and for not much money you can shelve a whole wall.

[Amanda's Mommy]

Part of our kitchen counter has an overhang so you can eat there, we don't. So I got 3 concrete blocks and 2 5 foot long boards. Spray painted them and made shelves. I put the first board on the carpet, then the blocks and the last board on top. The holes in the blocks also hold smaller books.

[sclisa]

You might have to buy some supplies, but here's an idea I read somewhere. Make shelves from boards & support brackets, and paint them the same color as the wall. Then mount them all around the room up by the ceiling (obviously, you'll need to measure the books to find the right place to mount). Supposedly, you can fit an astounding number of books by using the perimeter of rooms, and since the shelves are up high, their not as noticeable. I really think I'm going to do this once I run out of space in my current bookshelves.

Lisa

[K&Rs Mom]

You might have to buy some supplies, but here's an idea I read somewhere. Make shelves from boards & support brackets, and paint them the same color as the wall. Then mount them all around the room up by the ceiling (obviously, you'll need to measure the books to find the right place to mount). Supposedly, you can fit an astounding number of books by using the perimeter of rooms, and since the shelves are up high, their not as noticeable. I really think I'm going to do this once I run out of space in my current bookshelves.

Lisa

Great idea! I may try that in our guest room (actually my school staging area since we rarely have overnight guests).