14 Expert Tips to Create a Functional Library in Any Space of Your Home

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Updated on April 6th, 2022

For those who love books, having a dedicated space to read, relax, and indulge in a story is important. However, if you live in a home with limited space, you may be wondering how to turn any space into the perfect home library. While it may seem like you need an official room, there are many ways to turn any space into the perfect area to read. To help you get started, we reached out to book experts from Denver, CO to Surrey, BC to give us their best tips on how to create a functional library at home. From adding comfy chairs to installing built-in bookshelves, keep reading to see what they had to say.

A reading area

1) Pick books that you recall fondly

Create a small space in your home to display your beloved favorite books, a place that you know will bring joy every time you walk by. Out of all your books on hand, pick only the ones that you recall fondly when you see their spines or covers. This little home library is made just for you. – Shameless Book Club

2) Make sure your books aren’t exposed to sunlight

The biggest mistake we see when people create home libraries is exposing the books to direct sunlight. Sunlight fades books, and it can do it fairly quickly. Never let direct sunlight shine on your bookshelves. As for book selection, buy only what you like to read. Don’t succumb to buying books by the foot, or selecting books by color. A library isn’t just a decoration. – Dan Danbom, co-owner, Printed Pages Bookshop, Denver

3) Decorate a reading nook for your children

A reading nook is an excellent way to spend some quality time with your child reading. Reading nooks should be comfortable, have enough light, and if you’re planning to read with your child let them choose the decor and/or colors to ensure they will enjoy the spot just as much as you do. – Danielle Bruckert – editor, Free Kids Books 

4) Make your nook serene with comfy chairs, soft tones, and a large table

The perfect reading nook is all about serene energy. Think a vintage comfy chair draped in faded florals and set by a big window, walls painted in soft tones by Farrow and Ball like Middleton Pink or Lulworth Blue set off by Pointing or Tallow. Add in a table big enough to hold a mug of cocoa, a comfy cotton throw blanket, and my dog tucked in beside me – and voilà I’m all set to be transported into a good book. – Katy Leen, author

5) Focus on practicality over aesthetics 

Any space in your home can function as a home library, and for parents who want to encourage young readers, practicality will trump aesthetics. A small bookrack on the kitchen table engenders lively supper conversation, a box of comics in the bathroom initiates independent reading, and low bookshelves in sitting rooms, playrooms, and bedrooms allow children to see, select, and reach books. Fill those shelves with books that children want to read, rather than books you think they should, and read together with all your heart. – Book Club Bunch

6) A simple pillow, armchair, and table will do the trick

The perfect home library should feel like a haven of calm. Find a cozy corner or the quietest room for your books to call home. Never forget the importance of a good reading pillow and perfectly upholstered armchair, your reading should be comfortable. Lastly, a table for your tea, and maybe a snack for those times you simply have to finish reading a book in one go. –  Bookshop SE

7) Infuse the area with colors, stuffed animals, and family pictures 

When creating a home library for children, it’s essential to think of the books and the pieces that make up the space as well. So go ahead and infuse the area with their favorite things: colors, fluffy friends, and even family pictures. Doing this will ensure it’s a space that keeps them coming back. – Aidyns Books

A bookshelf

8) Tie the space together with a rug 

Use a beautiful 3 x 5 ft throw rug to create a library in your studio apartment. Once you’ve placed the rug in your chosen location, arrange your bookshelf or bookcase and all reading-related décor within the visual boundaries of the rug to build an appealing, well-defined library. – Your Book Group

9) Revolve your library around subjects you like to discuss

Your library should reflect subjects you really like chatting about, so build a library around a subject matter you love. Then, complement those books with a comfy chair. And remember, your library will grow, so purchase well-made shelves that will be available in the future from the retailer. – One Book One Bronx 

10) For a splash of color, arrange your novels in color order

Place all of your novels in color order to give your shelves a beautiful rainbow effect that will give your new space an artistic look. No matter how small or large your book collection is your bookcase and or shelves will stand out with pops of color. – Go Beyond Book Club 

Curate and display books by the color of their spines. Children’s books, in particular, are made to engage visually so the spines of hardcover books are beautiful colors. They really pop when they are displayed in similar groupings either vertically or horizontally. Or get really creative and make a book rainbow on each shelf. – Carrie Pearson Books 

11)  Arrange your books by size, genre, or location 

Two types of books are perfect for a home library – new books from authors that excite you because they can transport you somewhere or teach you something new, and books you loved from your childhood because you never know when you need to revisit how those books made you feel. Once you have all your books collected, get creative when arranging your titles. You can arrange books by color, by size, genre, location, anyway that makes your heart sing. – Tattered Cover Book Store

12) Do a remodel and install built-in bookshelves 

Consider splurging for built-in bookshelves when creating a home library. Floor-to-ceiling books not only create an attractive and cozy sense of visual depth, but also give you plenty of room to show off your favorite reads. Make the room extra cozy with a few book-level table lamps to provide soft light. – Scribophile

13) Make sure your shelves reflect who you are as a reader

You don’t need all the books. Instead, use your purchasing power to intentionally patronize the writers whose work you already know you love, and borrow the rest from the library or a friend. Curating your personal library means that your shelves will better reflect who you are as a reader. – Pursue the Good

14) Use narrow bookcases so your shelves don’t sag

Use narrow bookcases so your shelves don’t sag from the weight of the books. Look for unused space to tuck a few more shelves into. Remember that there’s no such thing as too many books. – Vermont is Book Country

Content Marketing Manager
Ryan is part of the Content Marketing team and enjoys writing about market trends and local insights. His dream home would be a large cape cod-style house by the beach.
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