Bookends

Bookends stop reference books, files and notebooks from toppling over on home office shelves and desks, which matters on a half-empty shelf that never quite fills up. The right pair keeps everything upright and gives the shelf a neater, finished look.For heavy books, look for steel or cast iron bookends with an L-shaped base that slides under the first few books, as their weight then holds everything in place. Non-skid pads stop them sliding and protect wooden shelves. Clear acrylic bookends almost disappear, which suits a minimal desk, while sculptural resin or metal designs add a bit of personality. Match the height to your books: a short bookend behind tall hardbacks looks odd and won’t hold them well. Buying in fours is handy if you’re dividing a long shelf into sections.See more home office storage & filing for your shelves.