Lately I've been on an organization/declutter kick (which doesn't happen often enough!) and so I decided to look for some ways to better display and organize these books.
In my classroom (I teach a half day session of kindergarten), I have a wooden bookshelf that displays books with the covers facing out, which is nice. First of all, because kids are much more likely to pick up a book if they can see the cover, and second... well, I just love the art in children's books. :)
I also found some GREAT ideas for cheap display bookshelves that you hang on your wall.
My original plan was to buy/make these shelves, but Ikea has been out of the size I need for the longer shelves. You could also easily make these shelves if you are a handy person.
And then I ran across this blog. This mom made raingutter bookshelves. Brilliant, and very cheap. She even gives step by step instructions.
And then here are some more raingutter bookshelves in a very cute room.
So, if I can find the time and energy, I am still planning on making some of these shelves. I'll keep you posted. :)
10 Kind Words:
Now you've got me antsy to start working on my girls rooms! I have been planning to paint it for awhile and redecorate it, and now I know what to do, at least by their beds! They love to read in bed, and I've been known to find up to 10 books in their beds before! And I would definitely just do the rain gutter shelves. They don't look hard at all, and they're super cheap. We could get together and make some! Home Depot has 10 foot lengths of rain gutters for $5, and the 4 foot shelves at Ikea are $15. You could make 6 shelves for the price of one at Ikea.
This is a great idea!
Doesn't decluttering just feel so exhilarating!?! I've been doing a little myself... but trust me, I have plenty more spaces to attack!!
I love the face-out bookshelves. Pottery Barn makes some cute ones, too... but usually a bit spendy. I sometimes see them for sale on CL as well though. I'm pretty much a big fan of CL... especially if you live near a large metro area where you have a large selection. You still have to 'filter' through the ads, but there are a lot of great bargains to be had if you have the time.
Thanks for posting the links to the gutter shelves, too... I honestly have never seen that before; but what a great idea! I'm surprised being the DIYer that I am, that this is the first I've seen of it. Cute and functional...love it!!
Blessings,
~Tanya
Thanks for the links to the raingutter shelves! Brilliant!
I can see rain gutter shelves in my playroom real soon! That was a wonderful link! Thanks!
I love your new picture of the kids!
Gwen,
Nice find, and those rain gutter bookshelves are awesome! It is so much easier for the kiddos when the covers are facing forward....I also think when they are walking by and you mix it up a bit, the are much more apt to stop and pick up a book then if the bindings are just showing.
I had two rattan rectangular planters that my grandmother gave me and I use them to prop up book which I rotate from a traditional bookshelf. Without fail.....they always go to the book planters as we call them and not the traditional book case when they are looking for a book!
Thanks for sharing....and I love the picture of your children on your blog header!
Hugs,
Tami
I love your book rack. I put one in Hudson's closet and it makes all the difference. It's so nice for them to be able to see so many options without having to pull all of the books out!
Girl I am with you! We had a lot to do, but waiting on the LOA was making me anxious and I didn't want to move forward until we had it. Now it's mania to get all the stuff we want done right in the middle of the holidays!
Tonight Mike painted little sister's room and tomorrow we will texture. I tackled cleaning out our game room closet which had 11 years worth of STUFF in it. I sorted it into piles to toss, recycle, freecycle and sell. Whew!
Now only 3 more closets upstairs to go. Hee hee. Plus paint big sisters room.
Oh thanks for this! I have one front facing display case it my class but it only holds 6 books. The rest of my books are in bins. If you ever come across any for sale or being given away, think of me. My leg money keeps getting cut so things like that aren't in the budget.
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