Home library ideas that every reader will love
Any keen reader will tell you that books have a habit of multiplying. So if you need an excuse to create a home library, making sure you’ve got space for more bestsellers is all the justification you need!
But a great collection demands great storage. No ordinary bookcase will do - at Sharps, we’ve got plenty of elegant home library ideas to make your treasure trove of literature a stunning room feature. Big or small, here are tips to make your home library a haven of relaxation…
1. Make best use of your alcoves
While many of us would love to dedicate a whole room to reading, most of the time we have to make do with the space we’ve got. And that means making use of every awkward corner.
Adding alcove bookcases is a fantastic way to make your book collection the focal point of your room with a blend of practicality and aesthetics.
Perfect for making your living room a cosy, inviting place to curl up with your favourite page-turner.
2. Use bold colours to create interest
Bring extra emphasis to your fitted bookcases by adding vivid colours to your interiors. A bright contrasting hue will naturally draw the eye to your books and help them stand out in your room design.
Zesty colours like yellows and greens are perfect if you want to create a fresh and creative atmosphere.
But if you want to create something with a bit of grandeur, try contrasting light neutrals with deeper, richer colours.
3. Mix open and closed shelving
An asymmetrical look can create a stunning visual effect, so don’t feel as if all of your shelving has to be open.
By mixing in push-catch doors on the front of shelving units, you can create a bold, contemporary design that’s ideal as a room centrepiece.
And it’s no less practical, either. When you mix up open and closed shelving, you can choose what to keep on show and what to hide away, making styling your fitted bookcase easier than ever.
4. Glass cabinets keep things tidy
If there’s one enemy of the bookcase, it has to be dust. But while your first instinct might be to use door fronts to keep your books dust free, don’t forget that the whole point of your collection is to actually see it on display!
It’s at times like this that glass-fronted doors really come into their own. With this home library idea, you can still look at your books all nicely lined up but without the extra faff of keeping them clean.
You might also find that it creates a subtle atmosphere of prestige. Choosing a book from your glass display cabinet has a feel that you’re discovering a rare old treasure, just waiting to be found.
5. Get creative with under stair spaces
Depending on the type of understairs you have, it can be a great place to make a mini home library.
It adds a stunning visual element to the space, especially when paired up with more quirky or unusual decor features - a fantastic way to capitalise on a frequently overlooked part of the home.
6. Illuminate your collection
This home library idea is guaranteed to give your design gravitas as well as make it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.
With dimmable options, you can even set the mood you want in your reading room - perfect for nights in with a good book.
7. Bring a touch of greenery
Of course, no room design would be complete without bringing in some plant life. Trailing plants like ivy and string-of-pearls will bring a gentle aesthetic to the space, which is ideal if you want your reading nook to be an oasis of calm.
But if you’d rather not give shelf space to plants when there’s more books waiting to take their place, you can still spruce up your home library by adding big, dramatic floor plants like fiddle leaf figs and bird of paradise. And the fantastic thing about this home library idea is that plants are wonderful for your mental wellbeing too!
8. Statement ornaments create focal points
There’s no better way to add more visual interest than with a few statement ornaments on your shelves.
Bowls, vases, ceramics and sculpture make superb additions to any bookcase, especially if they’re heavily textured or glazed.
Another excellent way to give your shelving some extra style is to add pictures and photographs, which create small accents within your home library space. Bonus points if it's a brooding landscape, ready to transport your imagination into the pages of your next novel.
9. Bay window seats are the ultimate reading spot
Is there anything more romantic than gazing out of the window, book in hand, while the rain gently drums against the glass? Bay window seats are a dream addition to reading rooms, offering comfortable seating, as well as extra storage for books in the base.
Another reason to love bay window seats is that you can get really personalised with your design. Along with choosing an upholstery colour, you can add soft scatter cushions, throws and elegant window dressings to make it feel super plush
Then, all that’s left is to set aside some time to relax!
Are you ready to give your books the VIP treatment?
Book a free, no obligation Design Visit with Sharps to discuss your ideas with an expert.
Whether it’s a petite reading corner or a dedicated space, we’ll help your home library ideas come to life!
