6 simple ideas for children’s book storage

Children accumulate a lot of books and toys, and it can be hard to know what to do with them all or how to display everything in an aesthetically pleasing way. Here I’ve rounded up six simple ideas for displaying children’s books, from clever rotating bookcases and generous toy trunks, to open shelving and narrow picture ledges.

6 simple ideas for children’s book storage

1. IKEA’s MOSSLANDA picture ledges – from £5, Ikea.com – arrange these simple shelves low down on a wall so they’re easy to reach for little hands and style your books as if they were art. The special in-built groove will help keep books in place and prevent them falling down. See them used in our nursery here.

2. A Montessori-inspired rotating bookcase – £295, Bearwood Furniture – The Raffy Rotating Bookcase is a space efficient design that can fit neatly into a corner of a room or narrow space. Made of birch ply with three sturdy shelves, it can be used to display both toys and books. While you’re on their website, also have a look at their adorable Freya bookcase with the wavy ledges.

3. IKEA’s BEKVÄM spice racks – £4, ikea.com – These affordable, solid wood spice racks might be meant for the kitchen, but they work equally well in a nursery. Arrange them in clusters to display small books, or hang upside down to create a rail for favourite clothes. There’s also sellers creating similar designs on Etsy, with a more handmade touch. A little more expensive, but I particularly like these ones with coloured bars to add subtle pop of tone to a neutral scheme [Ad – affiliate link].

Top image: Otis and the Wolf, bottom image: Autumns Corner UK on Etsy

4. Waldo children’s bookshelf – £160, La Redoute [Ad – affiliate link] – a simple, low trunk provides practical open storage for books and toys. This one from La Redoute is made of oak veneer and features three generous compartments.

5. Greenaway bookcase by Great Little Trading Company – available in two sizes, standard: £100 (link here) and narrow: £89 (link here), John Lewis [Ad – affiliate link] – These narrow bookcases can fit into the smallest of spaces, even behind a bedroom door. They come in two different sizes and are available in white or a lovely soft oatmeal. The four shelves can be used to display book covers so it’s easy for children to grab the ones they want.

6. Wood shelving unit by Oliver Furniture – £329, Scandiborn – This simple storage unit by Danish brand Oliver Furniture is perfect for storing all your books and children’s toys. It has six compartments to sort objects as well as optional storage boxes that can be easily pulled out to access toys. Sustainably produced in Europe, the white finish is clean and smart, while the wooden boxes with their simple leather handles add a warm, tactile touch. It also comes in a longer version here.

What do you think of these ideas for children’s book storage? Any that catch your eye?