Every bookworm's dream is to arrange a home library – a place that will house their treasured volumes collected over the years and display them beautifully. A home library is not only functional but also incredibly striking, and it makes a fantastic decorative element in any home. How can you create one in your own four walls?
A house without books is like a beach without sun.
Jose Marti
It’s hard to disagree with Jose Marti's words. Placed on shelves, books introduce a unique atmosphere into the home, warm up the interior, make it cosy, and also say a lot about the inhabitants – who we are, what we're interested in, what we value, what's important to us. Unfortunately, often due to lack of space, sometimes lack of ideas, books collected over the years are hidden away in boxes in the garage or cellar. Meanwhile, a well-planned library will allow us to feast our eyes on aesthetically arranged volumes every day. It will also be a true haven for book lovers, where every day one can settle into a comfortable armchair and lose themselves in the fictional world of book characters. And it's not true that a home reading corner is a solution only for owners of large houses. Even in flats with a small footprint, you can conjure up a cosy corner for your beloved books. If you have a fireplace, consider situating your reading nook nearby – reading by the fireplace will be even more enjoyable. We wrote about how to arrange a room with a fireplace in our Magazine: 5 ways to create a home hearth. Fireplace decorations and functional accessories.
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How and where to arrange a home library?
When planning a home library, it's worth considering both your own needs and the lifestyle of other household members, so that everyone can enjoy their favourite form of relaxation in peace. Therefore, it's worth giving careful thought to the library's location, choosing a quiet and peaceful spot in the house where you can settle into an armchair with a cup of tea after a long day and get lost in a good read.
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Where to set up a home reading nook? Of course, the most comfortable solution is a separate room where we can arrange our book collections. Unfortunately, not every bookworm can afford such a luxury – it all depends on the size of our house or flat. However, owners of small interiors shouldn't worry, as there are truly many possibilities.
You can successfully organise a library in the living room, bedroom, or even in the hallway, an alcove under the stairs, or in the attic! Much depends on your imagination and good space organisation, which means choosing the right furniture. It's worth choosing book shelves and bookcases that will not only beautifully display your collection and fit into the overall decor of your home, but also hold many items without taking up too much space. The choice of furniture that can be used to create a home library, appropriately matched to the size and shape of a specific interior, is truly wide.
Which bookcase or book shelves should you choose? Their selection depends primarily on your needs, although when buying specific furniture, it's worth paying attention to the width and height of the shelves to ensure that even the largest volumes will fit on them. When arranging books on a shelf, remember to place large, hardback volumes on the lowest shelves, and reserve the upper shelves for small and light books. This will make the bookcase stable, although it's still recommended to secure it to the wall.
It must be said that an interesting and functional idea for creating a library, especially in a small flat, is to purchase exceptionally spacious floor-to-ceiling bookcases. However, if such a solution would visually shrink an already small space, it's better to opt for installing many small shelves that won't overwhelm the room.
To ensure your library is consistent with the atmosphere throughout your home, choose bookcases, shelves, and modular systems that match its style. A sturdy, wooden bookcase is an excellent choice for a classic interior. In contrast, shelves and modular systems in a light tone will look beautiful in modern, minimalist rooms. Simple metal furniture will perfectly fit into the character of a loft or modernist style home.
An essential element of a library arrangement is also appropriate seating – the most comfortable solution is an armchair with a high back or a chair with armrests. It's also worth remembering a small coffee table where you can place a cup of tea, healthy snacks, or put down your book. In such a corner, you're sure to feel cosy, especially in the company of a good book. As Ignacy Krasicki wrote:
A book – an inseparable companion, a friend without self-interest, a housemate without bother.
Lighting your home library
It's impossible to imagine a well-appointed library without proper lighting. The correct choice of lighting type, its power, and placement are extremely important factors guaranteeing good text visibility, as well as providing eye protection.
Our eyes are harmed by both excessive and insufficient lighting. Therefore, it is suggested that when reading, light should come from more than one source. Regardless of whether our library is a separate room in the house or a designated corner in a room, make sure to have both a diffused light source, evenly illuminating the entire space, and a spot light, focused on the book being read. Bedside and table lamps work best in this role. We wrote more about choosing the right lamp in our Magazine: A modern table lamp. An essential element of the bedroom. When choosing a specific model, keep in mind that the light source should be about 35 cm from the book, and the bulb should emit a warm light colour and have a power of 40 to 80 W. Also remember to position the lamp correctly – to the side and slightly behind you, so that you don't see the light source.
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Additional library equipment
A home library should also not be without functional reading gadgets! On the one hand practical, on the other extremely decorative – bookends keep volumes upright and prevent them from tipping over and falling to the floor. They come in various forms, shapes, and colours, making it easy to match them to bookshelves and bookcases and the entire library decor. At FormAdore, you will find many designer models of bookends, including original bookends with images of friendly animals – cats, dogs, elephants, or monkeys. This is a real treat for every bookworm!
How many times have you marked read pages with scraps of paper, old receipts, or by folding the corner of a page? These solutions are neither convenient nor aesthetic. Therefore, book bookmarks should also be part of your home library's equipment. An elegant bookmark shaped like a quill, an original bookmark with a mouse, or colourful owl bookmarks – these are just a few of the suggestions you'll find in our shop.
A reading nook is an excellent place not only for reading books, but also for browsing newspapers or colourful magazines. Newspaper racks are useful accessories that will help us keep newspaper titles organised. Thanks to a practical magazine rack, you'll ensure your favourite magazines are properly displayed and always at hand. Visit FormAdore and match a newspaper rack to the library you've arranged! You'll find traditional magazine racks, as well as a basket-shaped metal stand, a box, or a very interesting 2-in-1 solution: a table with a magazine rack, where you can temporarily put down a book you're reading or place a cup of coffee. After all, you can never have too many books or magazines! As Julian the Apostate said:
Some love horses, others birds, still others various animals. I, however, passionately desired to possess books from childhood.
Blankets, throws and bedspreads, or a little warmth in the interior
To create a cosy atmosphere in your library corner, furnish it with plenty of soft and thick fabrics. Blankets, throws, bedspreads, decorative cushions will transform even the most austere interior into a friendly and warm place. To further warm up your home library, you can also arrange candlesticks, decorative figurines, or impressive flower pots on the bookshelves.
Books – you can never have too many!
And finally, we suggest you visit our bookstore and supplement your collection with some inspiring titles for your newly created library. Our collection includes many interesting suggestions – cookbooks, interior design books, travel books, as well as books for children and teenagers. You're sure to find unique copies that will engross you for several hours and allow you to unwind and relax. Also, make sure to build a book collection for the youngest members of the family. We wrote about the importance of reading to children in our Magazine: Reading is super! Educational books and their role in a child's development.
You should now know just about everything there is to know about arranging a home library. So, assess the size of your book collection, choose a suitable spot, and start organising your library space to create your dream reading nook! And if you're looking for an original trinket for a reading enthusiast, we have a few suggestions ;) Happy reading!
