Getting your books onto the shelves is the first step, but how are you going to find anything if it’s not organized. You don’t have to employ the Dewey Decimal System to categorize your books. A convenient method is to organize them by topic: fiction, non-fiction, art, horror, mystery, romance, et cetera. Then you can use a cataloging app to keep track of what you have and where it is on your shelves.
If you have a living room with a fireplace, this could be the perfect room for a home library. Build your shelves around the chimney stack, and you have a comfortable place where you can stoke a fire to curl up with your book. Be wary of heat, though, because it can warp wooden shelves as well as your books.
Not all bookshelves have to go from the floor to the ceiling. If you have a smaller supply of books, get the shelves that you need. However, you can make them look taller by choosing a couch with shorter legs. Add a few thick mats for kids who want to sit and read on the floor.
Get closer to nature by placing your home library in a room that connects to a deck or porch. You won’t have to go far if you want to read outside in the fresh air. Alternatively, you can stay inside and open the patio doors to let in a gentle breeze. The perfect setting to enjoy a cup of tea with your book.
A great home library also affords you the quiet space that can be used as a home office. Set up a new desk and rolling chair so that you can get some work done in peace. Being productive in a peaceful space is always rewarding whether you are getting paid or not.
Don’t forget to add a handy ladder to get to those taller shelves out of reach. Nothing would be more annoying than to have books so high up that you’ll never get to read because you can’t get to them. Getting a ladder with wheels is best, as long as they have a locking function so that you’re not rolling away when you get onto it. Besides, is your library even a library if you don’t have a ladder?
Don’t forget to add some art pieces to the walls of your library. Again, your library doesn’t have to look drab with typical pictures, either. Add some modern art and feel free to dress up the walls in any way you like. Before you know it, this will be your favorite room in the house.
Don’t pick just one wall, pick all of them! Wraparound shelving works wonders to encompassing an entire room with your books. Real book lovers would treasure spending their whole day being surrounded by endless pages of stories.
If you want to add a bit of mystery, you can always add a thick curtain to your room to hide your books. Then voila! Pull the curtain away to reveal shelf-upon-shelf of books! It’s also an excellent way to add a splash of color without resorting to the use of paint.
These are definitely different from bookshelves you’re used to seeing. It has a “honeycomb” effect that adds character and pattern to a room without having to do too much. Now you don’t have to worry about your books leaning over and falling into your shelves ever again.
Go outside the conventional and choose surprising shelving options. It may not fit into the aesthetic of what you might consider for an ordinary library, but you want yours to be extraordinary, right? Make your home library stand out from the rest of the usual libraries with boring wood shelves and dull carpet.
Pure neutral tones can be less distracting than pops of color. Pair greys and blues together to create a harmonious mood in your library. Wooden furniture is simple and won’t clash with these tones. If you need to add a rug, choose one with an intricate but light design that’s not too busy.
There’s honestly no right or wrong way to create a library so go for it! Don’t feel ashamed if your library only has one bookshelf and a chair. It’s a start to your very own beautiful library space.