**Creative Book Storage Solution Takes the Internet by Storm**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Czarina-Monroy-books-081326-5-3e67b06477464efda448a3a04e36cb9a.jpg)
A young woman has turned the challenge of a growing book collection into an innovative storage solution that is gaining popularity online. Czarina Monroy, a 25-year-old native of the Philippines, has managed to find space for over 800 books by utilising the area beneath her bed, a decision that has since gone viral on TikTok.
Monroy began her literary journey four years ago and has amassed her impressive collection through purchases, gifts, and an influx of books sent by authors and publishers for promotional purposes. “Reading and creating book-related content is something I genuinely do for fun, and getting paid for it along the way has just been an added bonus!” she told PEOPLE.
Originally from Roseville in California, Monroy has recently made a move to the Denver area for graduate studies in preparation for medical school. Before returning to academia, she was employed as a clinical medical assistant and scribe in the field of paediatrics.
Monroy’s quest for efficient book storage began in 2024 when she returned home during a gap year following her college graduation. At that point, her book collection had significantly outgrown the capacity of her traditional bookshelves. Surprised to find herself with surplus space beneath her bed, she decided to convert it into a makeshift library. “That’s when I realised I had all this unused space beneath my bed and thought, why not turn it into book storage?” she recalled.
To accommodate her growing collection, Monroy acquired a full-size platform bed from Wayfair, which fortuitously offered ample under-bed space. Organising the books was no small feat; Monroy dedicated several hours to neatly placing the titles under her bed and developing a meticulous spreadsheet. “The organisation makes it surprisingly easy to find a specific book,” she explained, noting that she categorised her collection by series, genre, and author.
The under-bed storage system works alongside her existing bookshelves, where she keeps her most cherished or frequently referenced volumes on display alongside decorative items. While this creative solution has maximised her available space, Monroy acknowledged that it does come with drawbacks. “The biggest advantage is definitely the amount of space it saves. The main disadvantage is that I don’t get to see all my books at once.”
Curious about the setup’s sustainability, Monroy has been careful with her bed frame and floor, having made no special modifications. Despite the potential concerns about the weight of her collection, the arrangement has remained intact for nearly two years with no signs of damage. Monroy is diligent about maintaining the area, dusting her books and cleaning beneath the bed regularly.
Once she decided to share her unique storage solution on TikTok, Monroy was taken aback by the overwhelming response. Her video racked up over 3.5 million views, drawing attention from a vast audience. “I definitely didn’t expect people to take the storage system as seriously as they did!” she remarked.
The feedback on her post was varied, with many viewers expressing admiration for her ingenuity while others raised concerns about potential damage to her books or issues surrounding book overconsumption. “I understand where some of those concerns come from, but ultimately the video was meant to be a lighthearted look at a storage system that happens to work for me,” she commented.
Interestingly, some comments sparked new ideas for Monroy. Encouraged by her followers, she invested in a hydraulic lift bed for her new apartment in Colorado, enhancing her storage method further.
While her original under-bed space is now full, Monroy has adjusted her book purchasing habits, opting to read more on her Kindle and shifting her focus towards digital content. Nonetheless, she continues to receive physical books from publishers as part of her role in creating book-related content.
“I hope other book lovers take away from the video that you don’t necessarily have to spend additional money on traditional bookshelves if you already have unused storage space available to you,” she advised. Monroy encouraged others to think creatively about making the most of their living spaces, asserting, “Ultimately, I just think it’s fun to find creative ways to make your space work for you.”
Monroy’s inventive storage method not only reflects her passion for books but also serves as an inspiration to fellow bibliophiles facing similar storage dilemmas.