Having a home library seems so classy and distinguished. That image of a room with antique furniture and lots of books, a desk, and sliding doors is not the only type of interior design a home library can have. So try to distance yourself from the cliches and develop your ideas. We thought we could be helpful, so we’ve gathered 62 ideas you might like.
A. Have high ceilings? Use a ladder!
01. Traditional home library with dark-stained wooden furniture and ornate details
02. Use the staircase walls as bookcases, and you’ll get a unique library design
Eric Roth
03. The symmetry of the layout and design makes this space feel imposing
Dan Mayers
04. Your home library can be a simple reading corner with bookshelves that go up to the ceiling
05. Your home library can also be your home office, and you can make it look professional
Peter A
06. Don’t waste any space and put up bookshelves above the door
Magle
07. You can have an entire wall covered with shelves and books
David Duncan Livingston
08. The ladder is both a practical and fashionable accessory
Tim Street-Porter
09. If you decide to turn the interior staircase wall into a bookcase, then you’ll need a ladder
Slic Interiors
10. This home library is also a media room, and the mood lighting gives it a mysterious feel
11. Combine functions and include a desk in your bookcase wall
12. In a room with high ceilings, the space above the door is perfect for displaying books
Louise Lakier
13. A tall bookshelf system can be easily included in an open floor space
14. Turn the window wall into a cozy reading nook with bookshelves on either side
Kazart Photography
15. Fixate the ladder to the bookcase wall so you can quickly move it around
Rob Karosis Photography
The high ceilings give the home library a professional and classical look. They remind us of the public libraries with bookshelves that go up to the ceiling; you would need a ladder to reach them. That’s precisely what you should do. A ladder can look attractive in a home library and allows you to use all the space available for storage.
B. Bookshelves Under The Stairs
16. The area underneath the stairs is small but cozy enough to be a reading corner
Griffin Enright Architects
17. Cubbies built into the staircase wall can be perfect for storing and displaying books
Reid Rolls
18. Turn the window under the staircase into a cozy reading nook with built-in bookshelves
Hand Werk
If you lack the home library space, you can improvise. Don’t bother combining functions and including bookcases in your living room’s design when you have a staircase. The area under the stairs or even the staircase walls are perfect for this purpose.
C. Home Office Libraries
19. The antique furniture and the fireplace give this office an old-fashioned look
20. Gray is a beautiful color for a bookcase, allowing the actual books to stand outdoors
21. A home office/library doesn’t necessarily have to be an enclosed room
22. If it is spacious enough, a home office can also accommodate a sitting area
Leonas Garbacauskas
23. Casual in the front and professional in the back with elegant accents in between
24. The wood makes this home office look imposing and also elegant
25. A traditional home office or library looks similar to a living room
When you think about it, home offices and home libraries have lots in common. So why not combine the two into a single space? You could have a desk, a reading corner, a tall bookcase, and storage space. Turn this room into your sanctuary and workspace.
D. Reading Rooms
26. A floor lamp is a must-have in any reading room
Lee Jean-Gilles
27. Make the space feel comfortable with a sectional sofa and maybe even a nap area
Lincoln Barbour
28. Let your mind run wild as you admire the views and come up with your scenarios
Robert Benson
29. The attic is a perfect place for a cozy reading room
30. Your home office can also be your reading sanctuary. I love the Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair
Practically Studios
31. Any little free space can be turned into a reading corner
32. Have two armchairs, in case someone wants to join you
33. An ottoman can be a lovely coffee table replacement as well as a comfy footstool
Aaron Leitz Photography
34. Paint the ceiling to make the room feel even more magical and classy
Jauregui Architect
35. Organize a separate area in the family room where you can spend some time with your favorite book
Archia Homes
36. Open shelves make a room seem more spacious, and they’re also efficient
37. Personalize this space with some cheerful wallpaper
Annie Schlechter
38. Choose a cohesive, traditional look and use dark-stained wood throughout
Mariko Reed
39. Add a touch of color to the room with some artwork or bold furniture
Jacob Termansen Photography
I used to love reading books, so I can understand why someone would want to have a reading room in their home. It doesn’t have to be ample space. A tiny room with bookshelves on the side walls and a cozy sofa or chair would be perfect. Choose a book, sit down and enter the mysterious world of imagination.
E. An Upstairs Home Library
40. Also, you’ll be able to admire it from downstairs
Josh and Neal
41. Install some open shelves and create an exciting display
A hallway in a loft forms as you climb the stairs and reach the top floor. That space is perfect for a home library or reading area. Just think about it: some bookshelves on the wall and an armchair or a bench would turn that space into an extra room.
F. Modern Home Libraries
42. The library/reading area is raised off the floor, and it becomes a separate space
Griffin Enright Architects
43. The floor-to-ceiling glass wall provides panoramic views of the outdoors
Jim Bartsch Photography
44. Brown can be modern, too, as long as the décor is simple
Markash Design
45. Use the walls which typically remain empty such as on the entryway area
Moshi Gitelis
46. Turn part of your living room into a more intimate reading and sitting area
Benvenuti and Stein
That typical traditional design we all have in mind, with wood panels on the walls and brown all over the room, doesn’t apply to modern interior designs. You’ll have to get creative if you want a home library in your current home. It can be an open space off the living room or a cozy corner with access to the terrace.
G. Bookshelves Above The Door
47. You can install shelves above the door in any room of the house
48. It’s a great way of saving space in your home office
49. You can even install bookshelves in the kitchen or the hallway
50. Design a wall unit that goes all the way to the ceiling and frames the doors
51. Such a design also allows you to create a more cohesive interior décor
Rob Karosis
52. an excellent idea for small rooms without lots of space for storage
Julie Ranee
The area above the doors is perfect for installing bookshelves. It usually remains empty, so if you want to save space, this would be a great way to do it. Of course, you’ll also need a wall if you have many books. The shelves will be impossible to reach, so you’ll need a ladder, another interesting décor element to put in your home.
H. Vertical Bookcases
53. Organize a library around a column in your living space
Edritger
54. Vertical bookcases are easy to fit in any space, and they look great in the corner of a room
Universal Joint
55. Create a cozy sitting/ reading corner with a vertical bookcase in the center
Mary Prince
56. Find space for it in your wall unit or closet
Curtis Martin
57. You can pair multiple units to create a focal point in the room
Although a bookcase or bookshelf is usually long and sometimes even runs the length of a room, this doesn’t mean it’s the only way to do things. How about a vertical bookcase instead? It can be something as simple as a niche in your wall unit or a series of wall-mounted shelves. You can find many ways to include such a piece in your home.
I. Bedroom Libraries
58. You can use the wall behind your bed, although an earthquake would ruin your night
Michael J Lee Photography
59. Any wall in the bedroom should be ok for a bookcase
Whit Preston
60. Save space and install bookshelves above and around the windows
61. A room divider would nicely solve the problem
Rob Karosis Photography
62. The bookshelves should be close to the bed so you can reach them
If you’re the type that likes to read before going to bed, then why not have a library in your bedroom? It’s much more practical than having to find a book every time and then return with it in the bedroom. It’s also an excellent idea because there’s not a lot of furniture you need in this room so there should be enough space for a bookcase.
Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our top stories.
Discussion about this post