11 Tips for Creating a Cozy Home Library

If curling up with a good book is one of your pastimes then you know how great it would be to have your own cozy library in your home. Unfortunately most of us can’t afford to dedicate a whole room to a library. Luckily though that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the perks of having your very own library.

Here are 11 tips for creating a cozy home library:

Be Creative with Available Space

You will be surprised about all the possible ways to incorporate a library in your home when you put your creative juices to work. If your living room or family room is large enough, you can put some book shelves in one corner with a comfy chair and a rug. If there isn’t enough space there, then the dining room can work just as well. Pick one of the long walls in the room and build a large book case that lines the whole wall. Then just nestle a couple of reading chairs into the corner and you are all set. Now you can have a casual reading room for the afternoons as well as a great place for big family dinners at night.

Another great combo is the study/library. Set up your desk in one side of the room with whatever storage space you need and then on the other side of the room you can line the book shelves and set up some seating. If you are feeling adventurous, you build a window seat into a nearby window to give you a comfy seat for reading and daydreaming.

If you are really short on space, you can even repurpose a hallway or landing and make a little alcove library. There won’t be a lot of room for seating, but you can still squeeze in a thin chair or bench with cushiony seating for long hours of reading.

Look Up for Inspiration

When looking for space for your books, don’t be afraid to look up for inspiration. Book shelves look great anywhere so grab whatever real estate you can find in your house. Look up to the free space above doorways and on the free walls in the bedrooms, even the kitchen. Just make sure you have a library ladder to easily reach any of the shelves that are up high.

Highlight Your Book Collection with Color

Wherever you decide to set up your library, use color to add some pizzazz. A brightly colored lacquered bookcase can really be an interesting central point in any room.

Comfortable Seating Is a Must

A library isn’t a library without the comfortable seating for lounging around so comfortable seating is a must. Even if you don’t have a lot of room, make sure whatever seating you choose is conducive to curling up on for a few hours. If you have a cowhide rug, it can also make a great extra seating choice. It is soft and supple to curl up on and the rich coloring and patterns will add to the style of the room as well.

Mix Books With Art

To really make your library nook stand out, don’t just let the colorful covers of your books do all the work. Add some art and photographs to the area to add some more interest to the space.

Make the Library Kid-Friendly

When you have kids, it can be a little more difficult finding room for their books as well as your own. If you have enough space, create a separate little library nook in the playroom, their bedroom or even in the kitchen where they can read while you are making dinner. For the kids, you can use shorter bookcases that are easier for them to reach. Just make sure they are secured to the wall for safety reasons. And for seating you can easily use comfy bean bags that are easy to store in the corner when they are not in use.

If you have to use the same book shelves for your books and your kids, then put their books on the lower levels making it easy for them to reach them. Because you are going to have some many books from all the book lovers in your family, make time on a regular basis to weed through it so it is easier to keep the shelves organized.

Choose A Quiet Spot

No matter which spot you choose, it needs to be quiet environment where there is not a lot of foot traffic. It is hard to lose yourself in a book when there is a lot of hustle and bustle all around you.

Create the Right Mood

Not everyone craves the same mood when they want some reading time, so you need to think about what mood is most conducive for you. If you want a soothing, tranquil setting then soft lights and warm rich colors would work really well. If you like a more cheerful setting then you should go with more natural light and bright colors.

Keep Your Books Organized

To support the tranquil mood you are trying to set, it is important to keep your books organized so it is easy to grab the book you want when you can steal away the time to read. Organize by author or by genre whatever way makes the most sense for you.

Choose Shelving Carefully

Remember that not all shelving is equal. Make sure whatever you choose is long enough and thick enough to support your books safely and securely. Keep in mind that the longer the shelf, the thicker it needs to be. Adjustable shelves are also preferable so you can store different types of books together more easily.

Keep Your Books in Good Shape

To preserve your books for years of enjoyment, you need to dust them regularly. You don’t want little pests or dust to damage them and nothing is worse than being sent into a sneezing frenzy because you open a dusty book.

A home library is a great addition to any home. Think how less stressful life will be when you know you can come home from a busy day and curl up with a book and a cup of tea or glass of wine. Go read now!