Super Cheap and Easy Book Nook Revamp

In preparation for this school year, I revamped our book nook.  We hardly used it last year.  I think it's a very cute space, but it is often the drop-off place for odds and ends we bring from trips in the van (note the bench covered with stuff).

Here is what I did:


First, I took a survey of the area.  What a dump!  After hitting several thrift stores and a Half-Price Books sale this summer, we had a ton of extra books.  They filled the bench and were avalanching across the floor.  Something had to be done!  I brought in an extra box to remove books we've read a million times, to pack them up and put them in storage.

 
After sorting through all these books, I decided to give each child a box of their own, filled with books they could read themselves or books we could read together that interested them.  This really helped organize and give a "home" to all the little first reader books.

I started with 3 shoe boxes.  After filling each box with books for each kid, I taped an index card with their names on the front of each box.  I let each child put a few stickers on their cards to personalize them, then told them they'd get to put another sticker on their card each time they read a book, or when we read together.  Hulk Boy and Shop Girl thought that was a great idea!

I filled a box with easy chapter books for Art Girl, which she is less thrilled about, but she will come to love the action-packed books that are for her.  I just know it!

After filling the empty diaper box with books, I had an idea.  Why not fill some more empty space in the book nook to make it more appealing?  So I dumped it out and started over.

Step One: Cut off flaps

Step Two: Cut notches that will reveal the books, but keep them contained.  I eyeballed it, so they are a little uneven.  I just used my big orange scissors.  Leave the handles - they make carrying the book caddy EASY!

Step Three:  The box would hold two stacks of read-to-me books easily, so I cut one more piece of cardboard to form a divider, again eyeballing it.  I made it just long enough to be a tight fit between the two compartments.

Step Four: Fill it up!  Books for Hulk Boy on the right, Shop Girl on the left.  Again, I taped index cards with their names in front of "their sides," and explained that they can put stickers on their cards each time we read a book together.  I figure the pre-existing diaper box art will be covered up soon.  If it bothered us too much, we could paint or paper the box to cover up the diaper design.


And now my book nook looks like this:

Still not perfect, but better.  That's my motto for housecleaning, and this kid-raising stage of life, really.  

Obviously, the bench still needs cleared off.  It's a work in progress.  Just imagine it being cleared off.  That's what I do!  The way the books are organized and presented is sooo much better.

I put all our fantastic science books in the white basket, and all the too-big books on the bottom shelf.  I tried to sort things by subject, sort of like a little library.

I also cleared off the top of the shelf to make a science-interest area.  I included magnets, paper clips, and some seashells.  On the window sill, I placed a fake turtle in a little aquarium for fun.  I also like to display seasonal books in the windowsills where they will catch my kids' interest.

It's almost time for Sophie's Squash and other fall books.

We can't have carpet or foam mats on the floor, or bean bags because our puppy will chew them up.  Maybe next year.




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