7 Helpful Home Library Design Ideas
March 18, 2021Whether you are looking for a cozy book nook lined with your favorite titles, a daunting office with bookcases that tower over your visitors, or your very own micro museum filled with things you have gathered on your travels, there is a home library out there for almost anyone. Here are some home library design ideas to help inspire you as you plan your own:
1. Mix Built-In Shelves With Freestanding Options
Although they are not easy to change once they’re installed, built-in shelves can be a great way to make the most of the space in your home library. Usually, they help you use wall space and vertical space as efficiently as possible. This is one of the reasons why they are one of the popular custom home design ideas.
They can be a great option if you want wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling book storage. You can even create space for some built-in seating to help you create a perfect, cozy nook for reading. Another option is to build in some space for an entertainment center for a more multipurpose area.
Mixing built-in options with freestanding shelving units can help you maximize your potential for book storage, add some flexibility, and also help prepare for future additions to your collections. It can also help make organizing a lot of books easier as well.
2. Make Sure Your Shelves Can Handle the Weight
Most avid readers know that a stack of books can get heavy, and hundreds of them may cause some structural issues. If you are planning on having an unusually large or densely-packed library, make sure you talk to the builder about the types of materials used for your shelves and any potential weight limits in your building plans.
3. Opt for a Second Level
If you are planning to have a grandiose home library and a lot of books, opt for a home library with a second level. You can have it accessible by a ladder, a small staircase, or even a complete second floor with a spiral staircase. You could even opt to have it in a loft or give it a balcony.
Consider Upkeep and Organization
Towering bookshelves and books on more than one level may be beautiful, but unless you are okay with the extra upkeep and cleaning, you might consider keeping the height of your library to one story.
Another potential issue that you should keep an eye out for is organization. No matter how you prefer to organize your books, it generally best to plan for a few empty spaces on each shelf so that you don’t find yourself rearranging your entire collection each time you pick up some new books.
4. Think About the Mood You Want in Your Home Library
How do you want to feel when you’re in your home library? It’s important to think about the mood you want to create in your home library to create the right atmosphere and this can help narrow down to the right mix of home library design ideas for you.
Everything from the style of the furniture, the decor, and the color palette to the lighting options and more will all be determined by the atmosphere you want to create. You can even integrate dimmer switches and smart technology to be able to adjust your lighting for the right atmosphere and your needs.
5. Include the Right Furniture
In addition to plenty of shelves, you also want to include the right mix of furniture. Is your home library also your home office? Is it just a library and sitting room? Knowing the answers to questions like this can help you figure out the types and number of furniture pieces you need.
You also want to think about your style and comfort. How do you enjoy reading? Do you curl up in a chair, stretch out on a couch, both, something else, etc.? If you enjoy sinking into a good book while sinking into a comfy chair, you’ll want to opt for larger pieces with a lot of soft comforts.
If you like to drink tea, coffee, etc. and have snacks nearby while reading, you’ll want a coffee table or convenient side table to keep these items secure and within easy reach. Built-in shelves or drawers or a large enough surface can also help you keep track of your reading pile if you read more than one book at a time.
6. Go for a Fireplace
A fireplace could be the perfect addition to your home library design. There are plenty of fireplace options to choose from. Whatever you choose, nothing beats the warm, relaxing, and comfortable atmosphere that a fireplace can help create.
7. Add Some Windows for Natural Light
Windows let in natural light and also provide a view to the outside. Depending on the look and feel you’re going for in your home library, a few windows or skylights can help you create the perfect atmosphere.
These home library design ideas can help you cover the big items and inspire you to create a true bookworm’s paradise in your custom home. Turning it into a home library is one of the loft decor ideas. Another option for a home library, or even overflow storage for books, is a shed with climate control in your backyard.
A home library or space to read and work is one of the popular ways to use a shed and can help free up some space inside your home and also provide a quiet, private getaway. If you’re ready to get started on your own custom home, contact Custom Home Group at 717-284-4090 to bring your dream home to life!