Published: 06/06/2025

How to organize your bookshelf in 4 steps with children

Categories: Children's World

How to Organize Your Bookcase in 4 Steps (While Having Fun with Your Kids)

What if organizing books became a game? Discover in 4 steps how to organize a bookcase in a super effective way:

Clear Everything

Sort books by theme or colors

Find the right place for each book

Add decorative elements (frames, string lights)

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

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

📚 Step 1 – Empty Everything, It's an Adventure!

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

🎯 Little game: who can find the oldest book? Or the one that's been read the most times?

And while emptying, take the opportunity to clean a bit: a quick wipe, and there you go, clean slate!

🔍 Step 2 – Sorting Books Like True 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 lining up the spines to form a reading rainbow. Some opt for organizing by size, especially when shelves are narrow.

💡 And why not imagine an 'emotions library'? Funny books, books for dreaming, reassuring stories for bedtime… Each mood has its own shelf!

And if you follow Montessori pedagogy, it's also a good time to let your child organize their own bookcase in their room, at their height, with complete autonomy. We also give you tips for setting up a Montessori room here.

📚 Step 3 – Finding the Right Place for Each Book

Once sorted, books need a place of their own. If space is limited, wall-mounted shelves are ideal for freeing up floor space while keeping books accessible. In a small child's bedroom, also consider sliding a few books into a fabric basket or wooden crate under the bed.

No need for 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 bookcases on Chambrekids.

A bookcase can even serve as a room divider in a studio or shared bedroom. With a few cushions and a small lamp, you create a true children's reading nook, calm and cozy. We explain how to do it in this article.

🎨 Step 4 – Decorating Together for a Magical Bookcase

And now… let imagination take over! A bookcase 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 books standing up and lying down, add a few decorative items between the stacks: a figurine, a small stuffed animal, a photo frame. And most importantly, place favorite books at child height so they can grab them on their own. You can also reserve an "honor shelf" within reach, like a personal little display case.

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.

✨ What's Next? Maintaining Your Bookcase Like a Treasure

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

Every two or three months, you can do a mini sort: books that have become too 'babyish' can be donated to a school, an association, or a hospital. This also teaches children to make room for new reading material and to share what they no longer use.

🤓 Geek Bonus: Organizing Your Bookcase 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 sorting by genre or creating a wish list for Christmas or a birthday.

✅ Summary for Smart Families:

Empty and clean
Sort together (theme, color, emotion…)
Organize at child height with adapted furniture
Personalize to encourage reading
Maintain and share what's no longer used

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

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