Once you’ve got more than a shelf or two of books, the question shifts from what you own to where everything should live.
Author? Genre? Dewey Decimal? A mix of everything? This guide walks through the most common home library systems — not to crown a winner, but to help you choose a system that fits how you actually use your books.
Most home library systems don’t fail because they’re “wrong.” They fail because they ask you to organize like a machine — and you’re not one.
A good shelf system should make your books easier to live with — not harder.
This is the most common home library system — and for good reason. It’s simple, predictable, and makes finding a specific book feel effortless.
Author shelves are wonderful when you know what you’re looking for — and a little less helpful when you’re just wandering.
Genre-based shelves invite browsing. They’re visual, flexible, and feel a bit like walking through rooms in a house — mystery over here, fantasy over there, comfort reads in the corner.
Genre systems work best when you allow a little mess — and forgive yourself for it.
The Dewey Decimal System is precise, structured, and deeply logical. It’s also more than most home libraries need — but for some collections, it’s genuinely perfect.
Dewey shines when organization is the goal — not just comfort.
Many home libraries become hybrid systems without anyone officially deciding that’s what they’re doing. That’s not a failure — it’s a sign your shelves are matching real life.
A few common hybrid approaches:
Hybrid systems work because they reflect real life — not theory.
If you’re unsure which system fits your space, it can help to preview different arrangements before moving everything around.
Reading by Candlelight includes a quiet shelf-planning helper that can generate simple checklists by author or genre — so you can organize with intention instead of guesswork.
Only in one sense: the best system is the one you’ll keep using. If your shelves feel calm and you can find what you want, you’re doing it right.
You don’t have to. Start with one shelf or one section and let the rest evolve over time. Small changes stick better than big “reorg weekends.”
That’s normal. Your library should be allowed to grow with you. A “good” system is flexible enough to adapt without forcing you to start over.
Not at all. Many readers organize fiction by author and keep nonfiction grouped by topic, with a few special shelves for favorites, in-progress reads, or loans.
If you’re still in the “what do I even own?” stage, this guide may help first: How to catalog your home library (without spreadsheets).
You can email the Librarian anytime at: librarian@readingbycandlelight.ca