Good Ideas for Storing Books in a Kid's Room

Reading Corner

• Create a dedicated reading corner in your child's room where he can escape when he wants to read and where he can store his books as well. Place a colorful throw rug or carpet remnant and an assortment of throw pillows in an available corner of the room. Line the edge of the carpet with several square or rectangular baskets, and leave an opening for an entrance to the area. Store the books in the baskets, and he'll have his favorites at his fingertips when he's ready to read.

  Alternatively, situate a beanbag chair in a corner of the family room. Install adjustable shelves on the wall above the chair and store the books there. Stack them vertically or horizontally so he can see the titles on the spines and locate the book of his choice quickly and easily.

Space Savers

• When shelves and wall space are at a premium, you can purchase freestanding shelves that create book storage space similar to those in a bookstore or a doctor's office waiting room. Metal rotating racks provide ample storage space and spin around for easy access to all the titles.

  You can also place a shorter, one-sided shelf at the foot of a twin bed facing outward. The pick-a-book stand often found in classrooms and at book fairs display the books in a forward-facing position that allow your child to pick a bedtime story on her way to bed.

Elevated Platform Bed Storage

• If you or someone in your household is handy when it comes to construction, you can build an elevated bed on a platform and create storage space underneath. Organize a cozy reading alcove with a miniature recliner and a bookshelf in the space under the bed. Place a miniature table next to the chair for a place for your child to stack her "to-be-read" pile of books. If you'd rather, create built-in shelves underneath the bed to store books, toys, stuffed animals and other treasures.

Storage From Household Items

• When money is tight or you're trying to reduce your material consumption, use items you already have around the house for storage. Stack several milk crates one on top of another and secure them with a line of adhesive caulking. Store the books in the crates for easy access. Choose colorful crates for a rainbow effect in a child's room. If you'd rather, drag out several sturdy cardboard boxes and cover them with adhesive-backed shelving paper to match your child's room. Use smaller boxes that won't sag under the weight of the books. Stack them on top of one another to create an eco-friendly book storage space.