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MDF for Home Library Shelves: Easy Tips to Organize Your Reading Space

For people who love to read, a home library is a wonderful place to be. It can be a small, solitary space or an entire room, but it’s a space for you to enjoy your books, learn and relax. While books are the main content for any library, the shelving that holds books is just as important. MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) is an excellent option for making shelves in any home library.

MDF is strong, smooth and relatively inexpensive. Once you make your shelves, you may wonder how to plan and organize your new home library. This guide will give you tips on using MDF shelving and will also give ideas on how to properly organise your home library in a practical yet pleasing manner.

MDF Shelves for Home Library

What Is MDF and Why Use It?

MDF is made from agro wood fibres mixed with glue and pressed together under high temperature and pressure. The reason for choosing MDF for making shelves:

  1. It’s Smooth and Easy to Paint

    2. MDF has no knots or bumps, so it finishes well. You can paint it with any colour or put pretty finishes on it.

  2. It Is Not Expensive

    3. MDF is less expensive than real wood and still looks nice. It is a good choice if you want a lot of shelves but don’t want to spend a lot of money.

  3. It’s Easy to Cut and Make

    4. You can cut MDF into any shape or style. This helps you design shelves to fit your style and space.

Planning Your Library Space

You will want to take the time to look closely at your space before you build the shelves.

  1. Look around Your Room

    2. Check to see what you have in the room; a bright, quiet space works best. Measure the walls, doors, windows and plug sockets.

  2. Measure Everything

    3. Decide how wide and tall your shelves are going to be. For books, a shelf that is 25 to 30 cm deep is quiet adequate.

  3. Think About Built-Ins or Movable Shelves
    • Built-in shelf: Attached to the wall, it does not take up space outside the wall and can look very neat when finished.
    • Freestanding bookcase: Offers more flexibility to move around and is better for renters.
  4. Use Your Wall Height

    5. If possible, put shelves all the way to the ceiling. This will improve your book storage capacity and look better because it resembles a library.

Easy Ways to Organize Your Books

Now that your MDF shelving is set to go, it’s time to set your books up neatly and easily.

  1. Sort by Type
  2. Order by Name
  3. Try Colour Groups
  4. Make Special Sections
  5. Vary Book Positions

Decorating Your MDF Shelves

Shelves are not just for books. You can decorate them too and make your library cosy.

  1. Add Small Decorations

    2. Place items like small plants, pictures or souvenirs between your books for visual interest.

  2. Use Baskets or Boxes

    3. Small baskets or boxes can hold bookmarks, reading glasses or notebooks. Choose colours that complement your room.

  3. Add Some Lights

    4. Soft lighting makes your library feel warm and helps you see well. Consider small lights on top or under the shelves.

  4. Keep It Neat

    5. Avoid overcrowding. Spread out books and decorations so the display looks balanced.

Read More: How to Manual for Creating Shelves Out Of MDF

Looking after MDF Shelves

MDF care is straightforward, but these tips will help your shelves last longer:

  1. Keep It Dry

    2. Wet MDF can get damaged, so avoid placing shelves in damp areas. Paint seal MDF to protect it.

  2. Clean It Softly

    3. Dust off with a soft, dry cloth or a slightly damp cloth. Do not use harsh cleaning materials.

  3. Support against Sagging

    4. On longer shelves, provide a support in the middle or use thicker boards. A centre support helps hold the weight and prevents sagging.

  4. Shift Things Around

    5. Occasionally, rearrange your books to distribute weight evenly and avoid weakening any one shelf.

Final Thoughts

A home library can be a tranquil area to read and retreat from the outside world. Any small space can be converted into your reading corner with some shelves and planning. MDF offers excellent material properties for library shelves because it is strong, smooth and easy to handle.

Book ordering, decorating and maintenance are all important factors to consider to create a beautiful and functional library that provides enjoyment and contentment every day. Whether you own a few books or hundreds, your MDF shelves will help you create a home reading oasis.