60+ Home Library Design Ideas With Stunning Visual Effect
Having a home library seems so classy and distinguished. In fact, 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 to come up with your own 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
by Eric Roth
03. The symmetry of the layout and design makes this space feel imposing
by 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
by Peter A
06. Don’t waste any space and put up bookshelves above the door
by Magle
07. You can have an entire wall covered with shelves and books
by David Duncan Livingston
08. The ladder is both a practical and fashionable accessory
by Tim Street-Porter
09. If you decide to turn the interior staircase wall into a bookcase then you’ll definitely need a ladder
by 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
by 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
by Kazart Photography
15. Fixate the ladder to the bookcase wall so you can easily move it around
by 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 and you would need a ladder to reach them. That’s exactly what you should do. A ladder can look interesting in a home library and it also 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
by Griffin Enright Architects
17. Cubbies built into the staircase wall can be perfect for storing and displaying books
by Reid Rolls
18. Turn the window under the staircase into a cozy reading nook with built-in bookshelves
by Hand Werk
If you’re lacking the space for a home library then you can improvise. Don’t bother combining functions and including bookcases in your living room’s design when you have a staircase. The space 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 spacious enough, a home office can also accommodate a sitting area
by Leonas Garbacauskas
23. Casual in the front and professional in the back with elegant accents in between
24. The wood really 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 of common. So why not combine the two into a single space? You could have a desk, a reading corner, a tall bookcase and plenty of storage space. Turn this room into your sanctuary and work space.
D. Reading Rooms
26. A floor lamp is a must-have in any reading room
by Lee Jean-Gilles
27. Make the space feel comfortable with a sectional sofa and maybe even a nap area
by Lincoln Barbour
28. Let your mind run wild as you admire the views and come up with your own scenarios
by Robert Benson
29. The attic is a perfect place for a cozy reading room
30. Your home office can also be your reading sanctuary.Love the Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair
by 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
by Aaron Leitz Photography
34. Paint the ceiling to make the room feel even more magical and classy
by Jauregui Architect
35. Organize a separate area in the family room where you can spend some time with your favorite book
by archia Homes
36. Open shelves make a room seem more spacious and they’re also very practical
37. Personalize this space with some cheerful wallpaper
by Annie Schlechter
38. Choose a cohesive, traditional look and use dark-stained wood throughout
by Mariko Reed
39. Add a touch of color to the room with some artwork or bold furniture
by 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 a big space. A tiny room with bookshelves on the side walls and a cozy sofa or chair in between would be just 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
by Josh and Neal
41. Install some open shelves and create an interesting display
In a loft, a hallway is formed as you go up 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
by Griffin Enright Architects
43. The floor-to-ceiling glass wall provides panoramic views of the outdoors
by Jim Bartsch Photography
44. Brown can be modern too as long as the décor is simple
by Markash Design
45. Use the walls which normally remain empty such as on the entryway area
by Moshi Gitelis
46. Turn part of your living room into a more intimate reading and sitting area
by 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 really apply to modern interior designs. If you want a home library in your modern home, then you’ll have to get creative. It can be an open space off the living room or it can be 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 in 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
by Rob Karosis
52. A wonderful idea for small rooms without lots of space for storage
by Julie Ranee
The space above the doors is perfect for installing bookshelves. It normally remains empty so, if you want to save space, this would be a great way to do it. Of course, in case you have lots of books, you’ll also need a wall. 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
by Edritger
54. Vertical bookcases are easy to fit in any space and they look great in the corner of a room
by Universal Joint
55. Create a cozy sitting/ reading corner with a vertical bookcase in the center
by Mary Prince
56. Find space for it in your wall unit or closet
by Curtis Martin
57. You can pair multiple units to create a focal point in the room
Although usually a bookcase or bookshelf is 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 lots of 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
by Michael J Lee Photography
59. Any wall in the bedroom should be ok for a bookcase
by Whit Preston
60. Save space and install bookshelves above and around the windows
61. A room divider would nicely solve the problem
by 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 go find a book every time and then returning with it in the bedroom. It’s also a nice idea because there’s not a lot of furniture you need in this room so there should be enough space for a bookcase.
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