February 24, 2020

Building the Perfect Home Library

For literary fans and avid book collectors, building your own private library and reading nook is the pinnacle of luxury. Whether you're looking to dedicate a single shelf for your book collection or an entire wall in your living room, there are a few essential design rules to follow to help store all your hard books and paperbacks in style.

Choose the Perfect Location

Firstly, you will need to choose the perfect location for your home library, as not only does it have to serve an aesthetic purpose in elevating your home's interior design, but it should also be functional and easy to reach. Usually, this is in the living room, bedroom or entertainment room.

Next, consider the amount of wall space you will need to store your book collection and seamlessly integrate your library into the room's design. Try to find a space where furniture can be placed or a reading nook can be created, preferably by a window.

Decide on a Theme

Many people don't give their new library enough consideration, opting for anything functional, but lacking the overall aesthetic appeal. You will want to choose the theme or colour scheme very carefully by envisioning how it will complement the surrounding interior.

A good idea for a theme is to complement your book titles. If you have a soft spot for modern titles, create a contemporary library complete with bright and spacious shelving. If you prefer 19th-century classics, give your books the home they deserve with a traditional wood grain library setting.

Create Ample Storage

Bespoke shelving is custom made to match your exact requirements, helping store your entire book collection beautifully. If you own a complete series of fiction or non-fiction, such as encyclopaedias, it's a good idea to keep them together in one place. Bespoke shelving allows you to do this, with inch-perfect units that span the length of your book, cover to cover, creating maximum space.

However, the most important aspect of building your home library is forward storage planning. As every book enthusiast knows, there's no definitive end to your collection and as new titles are released, your library will grow. Therefore, you will want your home library to boast maximum storage space, with shelf space free to store future additions.

Get the Lighting Right

In a place where you need to immerse yourself in a different world, lighting is crucial. You will want to make sure your reading nook, couch or chair is lavishly bathed in natural light throughout the day, so carefully consider your library furniture placement and window treatments.

For those long reading hours in the evening, you will want to have warm artificial lighting. The lighting should be soft but luminous enough for you to read the words with ease.