A Space-Saving Storage Solution For Books May Lead To Disappointing Damage

As years go on, it's easy to amass an ever-growing collection of books, some bought on impulse, others gifted, and all of them too cherished to give away. Each bookshelf fills up faster than expected, leaving teetering stacks of books on desks, chairs, and maybe even the floor. As your book collection grows, it can lead you to look for creative storage solutions like under-bed bins, wall-mounted shelves, and rotating bookcases. One easy and aesthetically pleasing book storage solution involves stacking books on a table and topping the pile with a potted plant. While this is a nice-looking display, there are some good reasons you should reconsider storing books like this. Water leaking through the drainage holes and the strain of horizontal stacking can damage books, making this a less practical solution than it appears.

To keep your favorite books in good shape, it's best to avoid stacking them and placing a plant atop. There are a couple of workarounds that can help prevent moisture damage if you do choose to store them this way. There are also storage options that are better for your books overall, while still giving you a natural aesthetic.

When you water a plant placed on stacked books, there is a chance that water will escape from the drainage holes and soak through to the book pages. This will not only ruin the book's writing and make pages stick together, but it can also cause mold and warping. A way to help prevent this from happening is by placing something under the plant to catch the water. If you do this, you will need to ensure you don't overwater the plant and cause water to spill over the sides of the tray.

An alternative to putting a live plant on top of your books would be to use a faux plant instead. When it comes to stacking books on their sides, it's not recommended due to the damage it can cause to the book's spine. So, if you plan on storing books this way, not only should a tray be placed underneath the plant, but the books you choose to stack shouldn't be ones you are attached to.

Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives to this book storage method. Putting your books between bookends and placing a plant at each side is one option. Another is to get a display shelf designed to sit on a table and hold both plants and books. This three-tier desktop shelf from the Gannyfer Store achieves a similar aesthetic without damaging your books.