The Clever Bookend Hack That Adds Extra Storage Space To Deep Bookshelves

Have you got a bookshelf that houses more than books? Maybe it's office or craft supplies or small electronic bits and bobs, like spare batteries, that are commandeering precious shelf space. Perhaps you need a home for those items, and you have no idea where to store them. While there are lots of foolproof ways to organize deep shelves around your home, you're really going to love this genius idea for using metal bookends to add extra storage to a deep bookshelf. Instead of placing the bookend in its usual position, slide the longer side down the back. The short edge will then hook on the upper shelf, anchoring it securely in place. Now you have a magnetic surface ready to serve as a storage area. 

With a few stick-on magnets, you can attach hooks to hang small items like tape and charging cables or lightweight containers for housing paper clips, erasers, and so on. The reason this works so well is that it makes use of the overlooked space available at the back of deep bookshelves, keeping essentials tucked out of sight but within easy reach. The components are also inexpensive, widely available, and completely reconfigurable, so you can adjust your storage as your needs evolve. In short, it's a simple, budget-friendly way to make deep shelves work harder for you — without adding clutter to the front.

Once you've set up your bookend hack, it's time to decide what to store there. This overlooked back-of-shelf space is perfect for small items that would either get lost or be in the way if placed directly on deep shelves. Think finicky electronics such as wireless earbuds, office supplies like rubber bands and push pins, and even game pieces (no more hunting for those elusive dice or poker chips). The home office and living room aren't the only areas you can use it. If you have shelves in your kitchen where you keep your recipe books, this hack could double as storage for dried herbs and spices, small condiment packets, or even tea bags. Likewise, in the garage or shed, you can use it to store DIY or gardening paraphernalia.

Depending on how much storage space you need, you can use as many bookends as you want for the job. You can also adapt the setup to suit your style. Try different bookend finishes — metallic, patterned, or solid colors — to complement your decor or stand out as a design feature. Magnet strips are surprisingly versatile. You can attach them to almost anything lightweight that you want to keep out of the way but also ready at hand. Implementing this hack will make your bookshelf so much better looking. But what's even better is that by organizing everything properly you won't have to decide what to declutter from your book collection. You can just keep everything.