If you want to keep your bookshelves looking neat and tidy, you obviously have to prevent your books from sliding down. While you can jam-pack your books from one end of the shelf to another, this often looks cluttered. It's much nicer to leave some negative space on the shelves. So how do you do this while ensuring the books don't slump over or fall down? Simple: use bookends to keep your books in place. You can use bookends on both sides to center your books on the shelf, or you can start your row of books at one end of the shelf and go partway across before placing a bookend. But first things first. Before you start planning where you'd place those hypothetical bookends, you need to actually *get* those bookends. These are available in so many different styles and colors, so to help you narrow down your search, our team has curated this list of our favorite bookends. Sriwatana Bookends Black Geometric Design You'll love the way these unique bookends look on your shelves.Best OverallFind on Amazon These metal bookends look great and work well, so it’s no wonder they rose to the top of our list. Here are a few of the reasons we love them. First, they’re strong enough to hold heavy books without getting bent out of shape, so they’ll continue to look great for years to come. Next, the non-scratch mat on the bottom protects your bookshelf from incurring damage. You won’t have to worry about these bookends gouging into the wood and leaving ugly scratches. Finally, you can use these bookends to maximize your space. The geometric designs on the end work well for holding pens, pencils, cards, or anything else you want to keep handy. They’re a great addition to an office or living room bookshelf. Pros Modern geometric design looks nice on your shelf Felt bottom that keeps these from sliding or scratching Durable construction that won’t get bent out of shape from heavy books Available in two colors, so you can pick one that’ll look best in your home Cons When you pull a book off the shelf, you may need to take a moment to slide these bookends to close the gap to ensure everything stays in place. JIC Gem Agate Bookends Jewel in the RoughThese natural agate stone bookends have been dyed, so they'll look stylish as they hold your books upright.Most DecorativeFind on Amazon These lovely bookends are anything but boring. They’ll draw the eye of anyone who sees them. Instead of metal or wood, these sturdy beauties are made from a natural agate stone. This material is rough on the outside with plenty of texture. The face of each one has been polished smooth, so you won’t have to worry about the bumpy rock damaging your books. Once you get your books set up and place one of these bookends, you won’t have to constantly stop and readjust them. Rather, they’ll hold steady. You can select from several different weights, so you’ll want to think about the size of the books you’re planning on them holding. You’ll need heavier bookends to keep large books in place, and lighter ones for paperbacks or children’s books. No matter which size you go with, you’ll love the way they look on your shelves. Pros Several color options to choose from, including black, purple, and pink These retain the imperfect beauty you’d find in nature – there will be flaws inside, which just make them one of a kind Rubber bumper on the bottom to protect your books and shelves Cons The bottom isn’t lined, but they do come with rubber feet that help keep them in place. You’ll need to buy the right size for your books or you’ll be disappointed with how they work. AmazonBasics 5″ Metal Bookend Simple and Sleek These bookends aren't fancy, but they are simple to use and they work well. Best Classic Find on Amazon If you’re looking for some simple, budget-friendly bookends to keep your books in place, these are a great option. For one great price, you get three pairs of bookends (for a total of six individual bookends.) They have a classic design like you’d find in a library. They’re very low profile, so the focus can be on your books instead of your bookends. The foot portion slides underneath adjacent books, and the sturdy metal support will keep them from falling over. They stay in place really well thanks to the material on the bottom. This acts as a non-stick surface, effectively keeping the metal from damaging your shelves. With all these great features, you may want to buy a few sets so you can have matching ones on every shelf. Pros Reinforced coating to make these metal bookends even more durable Large enough to hold binders and heavy hardcover books Base is wide to provide stability Cons Since you have to slide the foot part underneath your books, you’ll have books on either end that are raised slightly. If you’re going for a perfectly uniform shelf, you’ll want to go with a different design. They don’t have a lot of character, and they look rather industrial. This may not work with your home’s decor. MerryNine Plastic Acrylic Bookends Barely Know They're ThereThese clear acrylic bookends don't draw any attention to themselves. Best Clear Find on Amazon Sometimes, you don’t want the focus of your bookshelves to be on your bookends. These transparent acrylic bookends allow the book covers to show through, so you’ll hardly notice that they’re there when you glance over. The clear color also means you can use these anywhere without worrying about whether they’re going to clash with your decor. These bookends are constructed with safety in mind. The edges are rounded and smooth to help prevent scratches. They’re a good option for your child’s room, especially since they are fairly lightweight. If your child knocks these off the shelf and gets hit with one, they’re less likely to get seriously injured. But no matter which room you put them in, they’ll do a good job of keeping books in place. Pros Low-profile design that doesn’t take a lot of room on your shelf Can see your book covers through them, making it easier to grab the book you want Acrylic material has some natural bend to it, so they’re able to rebound if they get bent a bit Cons Works best with thinner, lighter books. They aren’t strong enough to hold up a lot of heavy items. Ambipolar Vintage Cat Themed Bookend A Purrfect Conversation PieceThese cast iron bookends are tough enough to hold your largest, heaviest books in place. Best Vintage Find on Amazon If you’re looking for a heavy-duty pair of bookends, give these ones a try. Instead of metal or acrylic, these are made from cast iron, with an antique black finish that’s anti-rust for durability. This material is very sturdy, so these bookends do a great job keeping books upright. They’re shaped like adorable kittens, each with their front paws held up. When you’ve got your books ready, you simply position these paws against them. Prepare to have people comment on how cute they are. Pros Very durable material that holds up well over time Cute design, especially for cat lovers Has a vintage flair that looks great Strong enough to hold a lot of books Cons These cat bookends will take up some space on your shelf, as the back paws rest back a bit from the stack of books. Make sure you check the dimensions and measure your space to ensure you have enough room. Not non-slip, so you may want to add your own felt or similar material to the bottom so you don’t risk them sliding off. Frequently Asked Questions How many books can bookends hold? The capacity of your bookends really depends on many factors. You’ll need to look at the size and weight of your bookends. The size and weight of your books will also determine how many books a pair of bookends can successfully hold. Typically, larger or heavier bookends can hold more books than lighter ones. How long will bookends last? Most bookends are made from durable materials that will last for years if you take care of them properly. You want to make sure you don’t overload your bookends to the point that they are bending. This creates a weak spot on them, which can lead to breakage. If they look slanted, take a moment to reposition them and reduce the number of books if necessary. This will help them last longer. 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