Home library - interior tips
A home library (or study) is more than a room where we display books. This is a personal space where we can escape from the real world for a few hours. This means that the interior of the home library should be suitably configured for comfort and style. And this is exactly what will cause you maximum delight!
So, basically, having helped you create your own reading nook (with additional elements like furniture and decor), let's start creating your own home library.
There will be a library, but where?
Over time, any home accumulates a mass of intellectual treasures in the form of books, periodicals, children's literature, textbooks and other things, which need to be stored somewhere. Pictures of a non-trivial home library design appear before your eyes. But don't rush to empty the entire room. Perhaps book luggage can be placed in a limited space?
The beauty of the solution is that such a mini-library can be organized in any corner of the apartment, near any wall, and at the same time not violate the basic principle of storing literature - its availability for regular use.
A mini-library can be organized in any corner of the apartment
In the design of such a library, the leading role will be played by open shelving and hanging shelves, which can be grouped in any way. They may have a through design. Wallpaper visible behind the spines of books will only make the library design homey.
To store books, it would be correct to choose a dry, well-ventilated space, so you should not take them into the kitchen. This room has its own arsenal of literature:
- cuttings of culinary recipes;
- cookbooks;
- notebooks with traditional family dishes.
A specific archive can be placed on a shelf, but still, given the specific microclimate of the kitchen, it is better to hide it in a closed cabinet.
Bookshelves in the kitchen interior
We will not talk about the interior of a home library in small apartments. There simply isn't room for bookcases here. The library will be moved to the upper tier and will be presented in a mezzanine state.
Placing books on the top tier
A solution that is not often encountered is to design a library on a loggia. There is enough space there to create a cozy interior. On cool days, you can move to any part of the apartment to read books.
Home library on the balcony
The book depository can be moved out into the corridor, equipped under the stairs, fit into a room of any functionality, but if possible, it is still better to allocate a separate room for it.
Choice
A separate room with doors is ideal, but not required. Even a corner can be styled into a cozy little reading nook if it is relatively quiet and not heavily trafficked.
So, first of all, choose a wall space that will become the center of your new home library, the place where the bookshelves will be installed. Make sure there is plenty of natural light, or at least some artificial lighting.
Interior of a library in a house
A separate room for a home book collection is the best option. However, it is often necessary to fit books into the decor of other rooms: a living room, an office, a hall, based on the style decisions of the room. A well-designed library interior with bookshelves and cabinets will not only not clutter up the space, but will also decorate it.
Room selection
With the right choice of furniture, the library area can be arranged in almost any place, except for the kitchen (it’s too humid there) and the basement (it’s damp and there’s not enough air). If there are a lot of books, you can distribute them across several rooms: place some in the bedroom, literature for little ones on the shelves in the nursery, and send the rest to the office or living room. Don't overdo it with a collection of books in the bedroom, because... they collect dust.
If the library interior design provides for a self-contained room, its area should be enough for both bookshelves and a reading area with an armchair and a coffee table. Caring for printed materials requires air, so the room must be well ventilated.
Library design in a home environment
Alternative options for placing a book collection are mobile and island structures. In spacious rooms or spacious studio apartments, mobile bookshelves simultaneously work as zone partitions, including due to their different heights. The library interior can control the visual division of space by completely or partially filling the shelves with books, leaving and eliminating gaps.
Island shelving offers open access to books from all sides. Bookshelves can be arranged under the window sill, at the base of the coffee table, along the perimeter of the walls, even radial ones. If the library design is modern, asymmetrical and curly shelves will look great. One of the common storage places is under the stairs, where a built-in bookcase, shelving, and single shelves are appropriate.
Furniture for books
Depending on the number, books are located on shelves, in cabinets or on separate shelves.
- Shelving. If there are a lot of books and they require more and more space, custom-made shelving is suitable. They can be installed in the interior of the living room, office, in the corridor, on the wall. In small apartments, shelving structures often frame doorways; the library interior uses this empty space very rationally. Usually such racks are made to the height of the room.
- Bookcases – traditional with glass fronts and modern sliding wardrobes. Wooden doors are often decorated with carvings - this is an excellent decorative technique that will decorate the design of a library in a classic style.
- Wall shelves are suitable for a small book collection. They are compact, mobile, and easily matched to the design of the room. Modern library interiors often refer to this look, in a variety of color variations. In the reading area there is a sofa, an armchair with a footstool, a floor lamp nearby, a coffee table - everything you need for comfort.
Lighting Features
Medical consultants recommend good natural light for reading, but intense sunlight is harmful to the books themselves: over time, the pages turn yellow and their surface becomes deformed. To avoid troubles, the library interior should have soft diffused lighting; for this, window openings are covered with curtains or blinds. Local sources are placed in the reading area: sconce, table lamp, floor lamp.
Professional design
Experts will suggest the optimal location for arranging a book collection, develop a design in a classic or modern direction, help you correctly zone the space, and select furniture and lighting systems. Reasonable use of space will allow book storage to be located even in small apartments with comfort for the owners, and the author’s approach will turn the library design into an interior decoration.
Book storage
Of course, the storage space for your home library will depend on how many books you have (or how many you plan to purchase). If you have a large collection, then floor-to-ceiling bookshelves are the best option. Maybe even built-in ones if your budget allows it.
For smaller gatherings, you can install free-standing shelving, or just a shelving unit.
Strengthening the floor
All book lovers know that books are heavy. Now imagine a whole stack of books taking up space on shelves and bookcases. How must the poor floor feel underneath them?
When choosing a location for your home library, make sure the floor can withstand the load. You don't want the floor to cave in!
We recommend consulting with a professional builder about how you can strengthen your floor.
Creating a Mood
Just as no two bedrooms (or kitchens, or living rooms) are alike, no two libraries are alike. Only you know what you like to feel while reading, the type of atmosphere you enjoy with a good book. This is what will inspire you in styling your home library; the interior should match.
Choose the right color to help create the environment. If you like the enveloping, rich feel of old libraries, deep reds or luxurious browns are for you.
For a modern home library, interiors can be light blue, cheerful yellow or white in tone.
Always try to add color to your room, whether it is for reading, sleeping or eating.
What is home library design like?
The situation in such a room is largely determined by the size of the allocated space.
Classic library interior
“The classic design of a home library is popular with people of a scientific mindset, researchers, and writers”
Classic is timeless. The years have no power over her. The decor is the same as it was centuries ago, furnished with bookcases, a massive desk, deep and comfortable armchairs, and a secretary. A long-pile carpet is spread on the floor, the purpose of which is not only to serve as decoration, but also to hide the noise of footsteps. Basically, libraries of this design are found in private homes and at the same time serve as an office.
Interior of a home library in a classic style
The interior suggests high-quality, preferably hand-made furniture. Often these are products made from expensive wood.
The library's design palette is restrained. Natural tones in muted colors are in favor. Wall decoration with wallpaper. If you plan to recreate the atmosphere of aristocracy, then there should be no pattern on the decoration. In the case of Victorian classicism, a small floral print is allowed. A light background will relieve the feeling of pressure generated by massive dark furniture
Library design palette in a classic style - restrained
The following decorative elements will look great in the interior of a home library:
- fancy design candelabra;
- lamps with brass frames and green shades;
- paintings framed in frames with softly reflective old gilding.
The solidity of the library interior is emphasized by the ceiling lined with dark wood.
When working on the design of a home library, it is important to take care of creating adequate lighting. It should be made multi-tiered, with the possibility of both one-time use and zonal use.
Multi-tiered and zonal lighting in the library
It is very important to ensure the availability of tomes. The cabinets can be driven up to the ceiling, but the book should be able to be easily removed. And this will ensure the appearance of a decorative stepladder in the interior of the library.
What is also important when organizing space is to allocate space for a children's book collection. A child should have his own shelf among the abundance of literature. This is educationally important. This way it will be easier to interest him in reading, as well as teach him order.
A decorative stepladder will allow you to easily remove any book
The classic design of a home library is popular with people of a scientific mindset, researchers, and writers. It's wonderful to work in such an atmosphere. Silence and a moderately strict environment are conducive to the movement of thought.
New visions for library design
Supporters of modern interiors will be able to decorate the room in a more democratic aspect. There are a lot of design options here. There is also enough space to organize a library. For example, you cannot give away a storage room. It is quite possible to repurpose it as a book depository without the participation of builders. By placing a small but comfortable chair, several shelves and arranging overhead lighting, you can get a modest but charming library design.
Small library in a storage room
Decide for yourself how to decorate the walls and other surfaces. However, remember that the atmosphere in the room will depend on the choice. Dream about wanderings - use photo wallpapers of the appropriate theme or hang a colorful map of the world on the wall. If you like to philosophize, surround yourself with calm colors that do not distract from global problems. But before you design a home library, you need to make sure that the chosen room is safe. Pay attention to the strength of the floor. In his new incarnation he will have to withstand significantly greater loads. It is important that the floor is level, then the books in the shelves standing on it will not fall on their sides. The walls should also have smooth surfaces. They are certainly treated with antifungal compounds.
An example of a home library interior
When decorating a library, natural materials should be used. It is better to make racks and shelves from natural wood. The boards can simply be well polished. This type of furniture is suitable for ecological interiors.
A minimalist library design will require replacing wooden shelving with modular systems. They are easy to install and have mobile shelves. The latter can be rearranged and their width adjusted. A similar system can be used to furnish a child’s room. It will become a completely relevant setting for placing textbooks.
Modular shelving for a modern library
For lovers of reading and those who have just started arranging the interior of a home library, lightweight designs of modular shelving are available for sale, which can be expanded as the volume of books increases. The finished products are distinguished by bright colors that will certainly please the eye. Home-grown Kulibins can try to assemble something similar with their own hands. You can cut blanks in any workshop.
Modular shelving, can be expanded as the number of books increases
Beauty in library design is of course important, but even more important for its furnishings is the durability of the furniture elements installed in it. The shelving must be strong, as the weight of the books is quite impressive. This suggests that such accessories should only be purchased from manufacturers with an excellent reputation.
A collapsed rack can cause a lot of trouble, so don’t skimp on it and don’t disdain additional fasteners. You must be confident in the absolute stability of the structure and the safety of the library design, so if there is the slightest doubt, additionally fix them to the wall.
The bookcase must be securely attached to the wall
If the library is organized in a room and the low shelving representing it is planned to be used in zoning the space, then to give greater stability to the object, load the lower tier with the most massive volumes.
Library as a media center
Since the book today has ceased to be the only source of information, unusual zones will have to be introduced into the interior of a modern home library. So, in addition to a relaxation corner and a reading area, the room should have a computer space. The area is veiled with a partition or shelving. It will have to be equipped with specific lighting. The streams of light should highlight the keyboard and not be too bright so as not to create glare on the monitor screen. In addition to directional light, it is also necessary to provide general diffused light in the interior of this section of the library. Its task is to reduce contrast.
Workplace in the interior of a modern home library
The reading area is designed with increased comfort. A sofa and armchairs are placed here, and a work table is added, at which it would be convenient to work with books. What it should be: large or small, written or magazine - the owner decides.
The style of furniture depends on the overall design of the library. Often these are modern solutions. Rooms decorated in black and white tones look great. The dark palette is represented by shelving and furniture, the light palette is represented by the background of the walls and sculptures.
Library in black and white
The high-tech interior of a home library uses glass shelves and light furniture. The combination of dark green book storage systems and dark wood furniture looks incredibly impressive.
Library in hi-tech style
Custom home library design solutions
How often does it happen that none of the items on sale are suitable for her furnishings? Here you will have to order an exclusive interior. Craftsmen will take measurements and use them to create the most unusual furniture models.
Original interior of a home library
Order island storage structures for your library interior. Don't get attached to standards. Use your imagination and equip the space under the window sills for storing books, if there are no radiators or wall niches there. Interesting ideas for mobile shelving that can be used in zoning a room.
Shelving of unusual shapes will decorate the interior of a home library
Choose chairs and table
Once you're done with the idea of what color you like, move on to the furniture. After all, no one reads while standing, so decide which chairs will be more suitable.
Before buying a table and chairs, evaluate their size and make sure that they will actually fit in the remaining space. It is important that the chairs and table do not block the lighting.
Choose the right shelves/racks
A strong floor is one thing, but the right shelving is another. A shelf 90 cm long must have a thickness of at least 2.5 cm.
Adjustable or multi-height shelves are a genius idea that allow you to mix multiple types of books without wasting space.
Get creative with your shelving. Create a visual puzzle, find shelves with quirky shapes, square, frilly, multi-colored - basically, whatever suits you.
Add Living Room Details
You don't want your home library to look too boring, so details that speak of comfort and a lively look are vital.
Think fresh flowers in beautiful vases, potted plants, a gorgeous rug, scattered pillows on the sofa/chair, a picture on the wall, framed photos, etc. Feel free to add a few decorative items on the shelves in between those books to add some variety to the decor.
Cleaning books
Creating a decent interior for your home library is one thing; but keeping it clean is another thing and requires taking care of your books.
Think about how much dust will accumulate on those book shelves. Regular cleaning will prevent you from sneezing while reading, and will also protect you from pests that might want to feast on your literary treasures.
Remove the books and wipe down the shelves with a soft cloth and a little polish. Wipe books with a clean microfiber cloth. Or use a vacuum cleaner - it's that easy!
The mystery of comfort – Interior Design Blog
Books as a carrier of information have been the basis for the development of civilization for many centuries. In recent years, printed publications have lost their popularity and have given way to modern electronic media. Is there still a need to create home library interiors or are they also becoming an atavism?
Lera Gradskaya
Dmitry MiK Vyalkov
Sergey Kaverin
Alexander Reguzov
Daria Arkhipova's studio
First, it’s worth understanding why people today prefer screens over paper pages. In my opinion, one of the main reasons is that books take up quite a lot of space and most people simply don’t know how and where they can be stored without cluttering up their home.
Not everyone can afford to turn an entire room into a “book depository”. The majority of people have to puzzle over how to fit a home library into the interior of their office, living room or bedroom.
It makes the most sense to place shelves or storage racks along the walls. So that they occupy as little usable space as possible, it is better to decorate the wall behind the sofa, TV in this way, or place them on both sides of windows or doors.
Denis Lyubivy
Elena Polukhina
Abdullah Yun
Lera Gradskaya
Not a hackneyed idea - the interior of a home library, created on a balcony, loggia or in the corridor. At the same time, it is enough to simply store books there, but you can read them in any other place.
Speaking of the reading place itself. For learning it is better to sit at a table, but the ideal option for relaxation is a comfortable chair + a light source
Ekaterina Domracheva
Elvin Shirinov
Alexander Reguzov
Natalia Ozerova
Furniture that is suitable for storing a library:
- cabinets;
- racks;
- shelves.
Only you yourself can say what’s best. It depends on the number of books, the size and style of the room. In any case, there are many models and each of them has its own advantages. For example:
- closed furniture will protect books from dust;
- open can become an additional decorative element of the interior;
- built-in will create a feeling of unity of space;
- a freestanding one will help zone the room;
- simple geometric shapes look more strict and restrained;
- original designs can become the highlight of the entire room.
Don't forget about the possibilities of drywall, from which you can build anything.
If you treat reading books not just as a soulless consumption of information, but as a certain ritual, it becomes clear that no modern gadgets can replace the smell of books, the rustle of turning pages, the sensation of touching something material and in its living, not virtual . Based on this position, a successful home library interior will be a great place for relaxation and communication.
Alexey Frolov
Ekaterina Domracheva
Mikhail Rusakov
Yuri Grebennikov
Albina Sharipova
Related posts:
- Sconces in the interior - a selection of interesting models for your inspiration.
- Original office design: design ideas for creating the most thoughtful interior
- We’re setting up “our own corner” for your child: creating a classroom for a first-grader
Did you like the article? Share with friends on:
Library organization
There is no right way to organize your books. What works for one person may not be ideal for another. Experiment with different systems until you find one that works for you.
Arrange your books alphabetically according to genre, thickness, size, or whatever captures your imagination. You can also set the books you want to read soon at eye level. And books for children are on lower shelves.
We suggest that you separate books with paper covers from books with hard covers. And do not stack books vertically on top of each other. And most importantly, have fun choosing your styling system!
Find out even more about home libraries and bookcase designs based on your interior style here.
There is a saying that the happiest people are those who have their own garden and home library. The interior you choose should create an atmosphere of peace and help you sit comfortably with your favorite book.
We create a place for your favorite books - a home library
Jul 09/11
If you love to read or are simply a voracious reader, then chances are you've amassed quite a collection of books over the years. And if you don’t yet have a home library, then this article is just for you.
The main function of a home library is to organize your book collection in such a way that it is easier to find the book you need, and reading becomes fun, carefree and comfortable. In this article you will find several tips on organizing your home library.
The ideal place for arranging a library in an apartment or house is a home office. In it you can read or do important things in a calm environment.
The second, no less attractive option is a home library in the living room. This solution will be especially interesting for those who do not have a free room for a home office.
And finally, a compact version of a home library is to install it in any room. This could be bookshelves in your bedroom with a place for reading, a bookcase in the corner of the kitchen, or a home library in the children's room. This is a very beneficial solution for small apartments or in the absence of a living room. You can also make good use of the space under the stairs by installing a built-in bookcase there.
Photo home library
Photo home library
Photo home library
In your home office, the library can take up one, two or even three walls. With floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves, you can fit as many books as you need. The presence of a home library in the office speaks of the refined taste and intellectual development of its owner.
The interior design style of a home office with a library can be very diverse, from colonial to ultra-modern. Home libraries with antique furniture look rich and elegant - a massive oak desk, leather armchairs and chairs with wooden armrests, a soft corner covered in leather, a coffee table and high cabinets for a home library.
Library office interior
Library office interior
Library office interior
If you are a fan of a more modern style, decorate your home library in your office with unusual bookshelves, comfortable sofas, an unusually shaped chair in a high-tech style and other stylish pieces of furniture and accessories.
Library office interior
Library office interior
Unusual bookshelves
The living room is one of the most suitable places for arranging a comfortable and functional library. Its main element will be bookshelves, as well as a place for reading and relaxation. When organizing a home library in the living room, you can let your imagination run wild, since this is the place in the house where all interior and design ideas can easily be realized.
Living room library interior
Living room library interior
Bookshelves can be built-in, wall-mounted or floor-mounted. If you have antiques in your collection or books that you simply would like to preserve, use glass bookshelves or cabinets for your home library. If the shelves are ceiling height, you will definitely need a ladder. Choose it so that it matches the style of the interior and furniture of your home library.
Living room library interior
Living room library interior
Bookshelves can be decorated with personal items - framed photographs, souvenirs, decorative plates. They can beautifully dilute the rows of books, and if the collection expands, you will have room for new copies.
Bookshelves photo
In the living room, instead of a desk, it is better to use coffee tables, so the interior will be more harmonious and cozy. Moreover, your living room is also used as a place for meetings, receiving guests and relaxing. You can place a plasma TV in the living room, a cozy sofa and ottomans.
Living room library interior
And you can decorate the interior design of a living room with a library using paintings, decorative flowerpots, curtains, a fireplace and other decorative items.
Living room library interior
Interior of a modern library
Tall vases and flowerpots on the living room floor, as well as original rugs near the sofa or fireplace, will look especially beautiful.
Interior of a modern library
When choosing lighting, give preference to lamps that will allow you to see even the smallest print of the text you are reading. The reading light should be positioned behind your shoulder so that the light does not shine directly into your eyes. The main lighting of the home library should not be too bright, as this will negatively affect the safety of books. An excellent lighting option for comfortable reading is floor lamps on a convenient ergonomic pantograph that can be rotated in any direction.
Interior design library
Interiors of modern libraries
Home photo libraries
A child who loves to read certainly has a lot of books in his room, and to keep them in order, set up a children's home library for him. The interior of a children's room can be complemented with original modern bookshelves or cabinets. Even if your child isn't interested in books, having an attractive reading space in their room can make a big difference.
For preschool children, shelves that provide for placing books with their covers facing them are ideal. They are equipped with a special bar that holds the book. A child can always easily find the book he needs based on the picture on the cover.
Home children's library
Children's bookshelves
Children's bookshelves
Children's bookshelves in the shape of letters of the alphabet or house shelves look original.
Children's bookshelves
Children's bookshelves
Children's bookshelves
Interesting options for modular children's furniture, which include bookshelves combined with a bed.
Children's bed with shelves
Children's bed with shelves
Bookshelves for children should be adapted to the child's height. For older children, you can offer hanging bookshelves above the desk or bed.
Home children's library
Home children's library
Home children's library
Home children's library
One of the options for placing bookshelves are children's podium beds with provided recesses for shelves, as well as built-in bookshelves in a niche or under a window sill. This is a convenient solution both for a small space in a children's room, which, regardless of size, should be as functional and comfortable for the child as possible, and for a spacious children's room, which allows the use of various furniture options.
Children's bed with shelves
Children's bed with shelves
Children's bed with shelves
There are many more design options for home libraries that are simply impossible to discuss in one article. Use our tips, look at photos of home libraries, and also embody your own ideas for arranging a stylish and modern home library in your interior.
(Voices: 4)
Apartment for a bachelor
We completely change the design of the apartment by changing the color of its lighting
Exoticism in the interior: adding zest wisely
Lego constructors in interior design
22 beautiful and cozy balconies you'll want to live on
