Published: 06/06/2025

How to organize your bookshelf in 4 steps with children

Categories: Children's Room

How to organize your library in 4 steps (while having fun with your children)

What if organizing books became a game? Discover in 4 steps how to organize a library super efficiently:

Empty everything

Sort books by theme or colors

Find the right place for each book

Add decorative elements (frame, garlands)

Whether you're a parent of curious little ones or budding readers, this guide is here to transform library organization into a fun bonding moment.

Don't miss our infographic that summarizes these 4 steps, perfect for introducing your children to organizing and arranging their library

🎉 Step 1 – We empty everything, it's an adventure!

Start by taking everything out of the bookshelf. Yes, everything! Place the books on the floor, on a table, or on a rug. It's the perfect time to rediscover forgotten treasures. The child can flip through their old albums or find their favorite heroes again.

👉 Little game: who can find the oldest book? Or the one that has been read the most times?

And while we're emptying, let's take the opportunity to clean a bit: a quick wipe, and voila, clean slate!

🔍 Step 2 – We sort the books like real explorers

There are many ways to sort books... but it's up to you to choose the one you like best. By theme, it's simple and intuitive: bedtime stories, animals, world tales, documentaries... each category can even have a fun little label.

Other families prefer to sort books by color. It's very visual and children love to align the spines to form a reading rainbow. Some opt for sorting by size, especially when shelves are narrow.

💡 And why not imagine an "emotions library"? Funny books, books for dreaming, comforting stories for the evening... Each mood has its shelf!

And if you follow the Montessori pedagogy, it's also a good time to let your child organize their own library in their room, at their height, with full autonomy. We also give you advice on how to set up a Montessori room here.

🪑 Step 3 – We find the right place for each book

Once sorted, the books need a place of their own. If you have little space, wall shelves are ideal for freeing up floor space while keeping books accessible. In a small child's room, also consider slipping a few books into a fabric basket or wooden box under the bed.

You don't need a giant bookcase! Simple modular cubes or a mini low shelf are enough to create a functional and cute reading corner. And if you need inspiration, you can discover our selection of children's bookshelves on Chambrekids.

A bookshelf can even serve as a room divider in a studio or shared room. With a few cushions and a small lamp, you create a real reading corner for children, calm and cozy. We explain how to do it in this article.

🎨 Step 4 – We decorate together for a magical library

And now... let imagination take over! A library is also a dream corner. String lights, small plants, frames with your favorite heroes: all elements that make you want to read and tidy up.

Alternate standing and lying books, add some decorative objects between the piles: a figurine, a small stuffed animal, a photo frame. And most importantly, put favorite books at child height so they can reach them on their own. You can also reserve a "honor shelf" within reach, like a personal little showcase.

And if you're looking to structure all this, consider checking out our children's storage furniture category. Practical, modular, and perfectly adapted to their size.

🧼 And after? We maintain our library like a treasure

A gentle dusting once a month is enough to keep the books in good condition. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight to prevent cover discoloration, and remember to dust the shelves regularly.

Every two or three months, you can do a mini sorting: books that have become too "babyish" can be donated to a school, charity, or hospital. This also teaches children to make room for new reads and share what they no longer use.

📲 Geek bonus: organize your library with an app!

Apps like BookBuddy (iOS) or My Library (Android) allow you to scan books and create a catalog. Handy for knowing who borrowed what, and for finding a title in just a few clicks! Some apps even allow you to sort by genre or create a wishlist for Christmas or a birthday.

✅ In summary for clever families:

We empty and clean
Sort together (theme, color, emotion...)
We organize at child height with adapted furniture
We personalize to encourage reading
We maintain and share what we no longer use

To go further: Now that you have a well-organized and tidy library for your child, set up a cozy reading corner so they feel comfortable and lose track of time while reading!

And most importantly... we have fun at every step! A well-organized library is a little corner of happiness where we love to return, again and again.