Design the Ideal Home Library

Photo courtesy Quality Carpentry

For many book lovers, having a home library would be a dream come true. What book lover could resist sitting in a cushy chair, surrounded by shelves upon shelves of books, all in the comfort of their own home?

If you don’t have a room in your house that you can dedicate to a home library, carving out a section of a room—such as a home office, den, or spare bedroom—can create a multifunctional space.

Studio 312 Interiors

“I don’t think it needs to be a big space. It’s helpful to have some built-in architectural elements. I was designing a room that didn’t have an identity, but we put in built-ins around the fireplace to house books and artwork and create storage,” said Suzanne Sekula, owner and interior designer at Studio 312 Interiors in Wexford.

Alexandra Davin of Davin Interiors in Mt. Lebanon said that since the pandemic, she has received more requests for home libraries. Comfortable chairs or sofas are a necessity, but, as Davin noted, how you like to read can inform what pieces of furniture make the most sense. Maybe you are more of a lounger, or perhaps you like to prop up a book on the arm of your chair.

Davin also said she has designed window seats that double as reading spaces. “If you do have windows as part of your built-ins, it’s nice to put in a comfy window seat with a cushion and pretty window treatments. That can make the space feel cozier and more designed, as it breaks up the bookcases and highlights the natural light from the window,” she said. Another idea is to add storage in the base of the window seat.

There is no universal standard for a color scheme in a home library. While some people prefer darker colors that mirror an old-fashioned library, “Some people gain energy from more saturated colors, like a bright pink or yellow. Others prefer a sense of calm with a serene color like blue or green. You can evoke a totally different feeling from your color scheme,” said Davin.

“I think in a home library, you can be more generous with rich, saturated colors because you can evoke a moodier space in there,” added Sekula. “Rich, deep hues can be really beautiful in a library. There is a trend called color drenching—drenching the walls with beautiful deep colors—that works great for a home library, as it sets an intimate, cozy mood.” She noted that deep blues and greens for libraries are trending now, as are charcoals and blacks, which can be balanced with natural woods and white accents.

If there is room on the shelves, Sekula also recommended integrating other decorative elements, like photos, travel mementos, or plants, to personalize the space even more.

Sekula also likes the concept of “layering” in a library design, as it brings more dimension to the space. For example, “Layering the shelving with books and other items, but also using area rugs, throw pillows, and blankets—even a wall covering on the back face of shelving—adds a visual layer, interest, and character to the atmosphere.”

Lighting is, of course, an essential element of a home library. Davin recommends observing the natural light in your space and then complementing that with artificial lighting. “Layer your lighting with an overhead fixture and lamp lighting in the middle of the room. We also like to include lighting that can be directed over your shoulder and onto your book, like a pharmacy lamp that can be adjusted by height and location,” she said.

And of course, having a nearby side table that can hold a warm beverage is ideal.

Besides good lighting and furniture, one of the most important elements in a home library is, of course, shelving. The question is whether to have open shelving or closed. Flexible shelving or the ability to adjust shelves is another factor to consider when designing bookshelves, whether you purchase modular shelving or have them custom-made.

Alan Stauber, owner of Quality Carpentry in Portersville, has built custom shelves for many home libraries, including home offices. He said that primary considerations regarding shelving are function, affordability, and availability. “I try to work with in-stock items to make the project more affordable,” he said. For example, he may use less expensive wood, like pine or poplar, but stain it to look more like cherry or oak. Another money saver is using veneer for the sides of cabinets rather than making them completely out of hardwood. Stauber always puts in adjustable shelves—crucial for a library—and if someone requests a ladder for hard-to-reach shelves, he usually purchases one rather than building it, as it is more cost-effective.

“One suggestion I tell people is that a picture is worth a thousand words. Much of our work is on our website, Facebook, and Pinterest, so I suggest they look at Pinterest; then we can make something similar for the customer,” said Stauber, who noted that a substantial portion of his cabinetry is built on-site at the customer’s house.

Finally, you’re ready to shelve and display your books. While book choices are deeply personal, some “must-have” titles can enhance any collection. “The one thing I do personally like for bookshelves in people’s homes is to have first-edition hardcovers. If they’re signed by the author, even better,” said Susan Hans O’Connor, owner of Penguin Bookshop in Sewickley.

She would also advise having some Pulitzer Prize-winning books on the shelves, perhaps some Shakespeare, some poetry, and then some classic outstanding books from every genre.

It is also a personal decision as to how to arrange the books and whether to buy hardbacks, paperbacks, or both. “Aesthetically, hardcovers look really beautiful on shelves, and publishers are doing more interesting things with spines. You pay more for a hardcover than a paperback, but hardcovers are longer lasting and feel more permanent,” said O’Connor.

Ideally, the books should be a reflection of your life and can even serve as a timeline of where you were in your life at the time you read a certain book. “When you surround yourself with books you’ve loved, that have meaning to you, you’re surrounding yourself with precious memories in a way that might even be deeper than a photograph,” she said.

Like the stories contained between their spines, a home library should tell the story of the person who uses it, reflect one’s personality, and feel like a place to retreat from the busy world.