A home library is a fantastic addition to any home as it provides your household with a relaxing place to read. There is just something special about being surrounded by books and having a dedicated space to read in your home. Delve into some tips for designing the ideal at-home library to create the perfect reading space in your house.
I don’t know about you, but cold weather always has me thinking of comfy couches, warm blankets, hot beverages, and books! I love to read, though the hustle and bustle of life tends to get the better of me and I put off one of my favorite pastimes more often than not. We’re getting close to the end of the year, so off it goes to the New Year’s Resolutions List – yet again!
But before I deviate into the VERY LONG list of things I keep wanting to focus on, let’s chat about crafting the perfect home library—where ‘bookish’ meets ‘brilliant.’ Or perhaps ‘beautiful’ or ‘basic’ – it’s all up to you! I’ve personally had my eye on renovating the front room of our home for built in bookshelves where there are some stupid useless “pillars” if you can even call them that. With the (almost) floor-to-ceiling windows and the quiet separation from the main living room, I envision a pretty, bright in the day/cozy in the evening corner of the house where I could settle in comfortably for a long read. Sounds like heaven!
Whether planning to renovate or redecorate, there’s still some key tips to keep in mind!
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Pick the Right Spot
Before you get caught up in fun DIY projects or decorating ideas, look around your home to determine the ideal spot for a library. You can use a spare room if you have one, but that’s certainly not your only option. The home library can be as small as a cozy nook beside a window if you prefer.
What’s most important is that the space you select feels relaxing. Ideally, it shouldn’t be right next to a television or in a high-traffic area of the house.
Make It Cozy
Once you’ve chosen a space, make it more comfortable by adding a plush chair, soft pillows, and blankets to curl up with. If you have young kiddos, you can add children’s furniture, such as a small chair or bean bag, so your child feels included in the space.
Adding specific scents can also make the area feel more welcoming to the family. To achieve this, consider lighting a candle or two before you start reading; some of the most relaxing candle scents include sandalwood, mint, and lilac. When lighting candles, remember to keep them out of reach of children and pets to ensure everyone remains safe.
Decide on a Decorating Scheme
Another tip for designing the ideal at-home library is to hold a family meeting to decide how you’ll decorate the area. Since this is a household space, you should all have some input regarding the preferred aesthetic—but try to remain mindful of your current home decor. If most of your house is decorated with a modern theme, for example, the home library should flow with that style.
Stock Up on Books
Plan a trip to the bookstore to purchase new or used books to add to the library. Invite your children to join you so they can select some books they’d like to read. Aim to have a variety of genres and authors so that there is something for everyone in your family.
Pro Tip
Adding a range of books to the library encourages everyone to read more. Developing a love for reading at a young age boosts language skills, creativity, and critical thinking.
Organize Your Books
Decide how you’ll organize all the books in your home library. You could place books on the shelf according to author or genre. Alternatively, you could set up your shelves depending on the types of books you have—stories for the kids can go in one area while adult literature is placed on another bookshelf.
A well-organized library will look great and allow you to find your books easily. You can use labels to mark which types of books belong on each shelf to help everyone locate the story they want to read.
What kind of home library would you like best? Dark, light, big, small? Let me know in the comments!
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