Your stack of books is gathered in every corner, including nightstands, kitchen counters, and even floors. The idea of creating your own home library starts to sound very exciting, especially when you remember that the spare room is currently collecting dust and storage bins.
Whether you rent a house in Asheville, North Carolina, settle in a new Boise home or feel comfortable in an apartment in Madison, Wisconsin, underused space has plenty of potential. We’ve gathered expert insights on how to create the perfect home library to turn it into a cozy, personalized reading retreat.
1. Set the stage for your home library
Conversing a spare room into a home library starts with a smart approach to space. With proper planning, even the smallest room can hold your collection of books and become a cozy, charming place.
Give your room a purpose
The organizer of Letty in Minneapolis, Minnesota offers a thoughtful perspective on redefineing the space. “Do your spare rooms tend to be catch-all rooms? Specifying space for your purposes makes it less likely to be messy. A cozy library imagines a room lined with bookshelves, display books and add shells from your last trip.
Planning the layout
The design of the decorations of Susan J. Denteria emphasizes the importance of thoughtful layout planning. “Turning a spare room into a home library starts with establishing a place to place a reading area. Usually, it’s best to fish near the window and head to the room. This is good natural lighting and views. Of course, you’ll need supplemental lighting and an ottoman. It’s a cozy atmosphere and personalising it.”
Uses vertical space
For Anthony Perotta, an astrologer with a background in fashion, interior design and marketing, maximizing storage and style starts with search.
“Transforming spare rooms into a home library adds personality to the space. One of the most important parts of the home library is storage. Move vertically if possible. Not all spare rooms are large. By maximizing vertical space, you can include more books in your collection, allowing you to alternate books for visual harmony. Cozy textures should consider a comfortable chair or small love seat near the window to soften the atmosphere.
Photo courtesy of the medieval mobler
2. Think about your design style
Once the layout is set, focus on the look and feel of the space. Your design style guides everything from color choices to furniture choices. As Amanda and Andrew Moe, co-owners of Studio Moe, said, “I believe simplicity is the key to good design and that you can live well.
Go mid-century for a safe style
For those attracted to mid-century modern design, we share tips for creating stylish, timeless, at-home libraries for Julian, owner of Mid-Century Mobler in Berkeley, California.
“Turn your spare room into a mid-century home library? Start with a clean teak shelves by Kai Christiansen, and a timeless, refined lounge chair with designers like Finjour and Greta’s Jark.
Lean on your mood and personality
Renee Carlson, vice president of marketing at Garman Holmes in North Carolina, encourages you to embrace bold design choices to truly reflect your personality in your personal library.
“Don’t be afraid to enjoy the design of your home library. It’s a mix of vintage pieces, warm bronze tones and a chair of statements that you ask to sink for hours. This concept inspired our new cigar lounge curated interior design package, a bit mystical and touch mood.
Mix vintage discoveries and add characters
Marina Lobanova, marketing manager at Ballard Consignment in Seattle, Washington, suggests incorporating vintage pieces to add character and charm to your home library.
“One tip is to find consignments and vintage pieces that reflect your style. Choosing furniture with characters like vintage armchairs and unique bookshelves can really help create a unique atmosphere. Mixing these elements with cozy lighting and thoughtful accessories will turn your space into a welcoming and exciting reading.”
3. Create a cozy atmosphere
No matter what design style you choose to use, whether modern, eclectic or traditional, you’ll want to prioritize a cozy atmosphere. Comfort changes your home library from just functional to a space you like to spend time.
Build a comfortable foundation
Everine Parker, owner and lead designer of Revive 365 in Littleton, New Hampshire, offers tips to help you establish a cozy atmosphere.
“Custom-built bookshelves add a seamless look, strengthen your organization and provide a smart foundation for your space. To complement this, you can combine surroundings, tasks and accent lights to create a bright and attractive atmosphere. You can also create a comfortable seating area in your armchair, sofa, or reading corner.
Focus on the colors you invite into your space
One thoughtful way to set the tone in your home library is to consider the colors and materials surrounding you. Savannah Williams Bowlin from Sharp’s Church Interiors offers a unique perspective. “When creating a home library, we aim to design a calm and reflective space. In our work with church renovations, we focus on natural materials, soft textures and gentle color palettes to foster peace and tranquility. These same principles can turn spare rooms into cheap hideouts for reading and reflection.”
Prioritize touches and textures
When creating a cozy atmosphere in your reading room, Folio Fabrics believes that textures are just as important as setting the atmosphere.
“Pick a chair that you ask to push with velvet, chenille, or boucle and round with a good book. Linen or linen blend drapes cast a soft glow that enhances a gentle texture. Guest spaces are welcome.”
Style your shelf with purpose
Takeru, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Bonnie Bruno of Milwaukee believes that creating comfort also includes using books as decorations to curate and style shelves.
“Turning an extra room into a cozy home library is a rewarding way to make the most of your unused space. Start by evaluating the lighting in your room. Natural light is ideal during the day, but add warm, adjustable lighting for night readings. Create a warm and charming atmosphere for your favorite drinks and soft textiles such as rugs and curtains.”
4. Add personalization to your space
Adding a personal touch is what transforms a simple reading room into a space that truly feels like you. Morgan J. Walters of Mad Co. Lab Studios shares insights on how to make your home library feel unique.
“The proper shelves are important for holding and displaying your collection, but they add unique styles by experimenting with different paints to create a place of peace and solitude specifically for your personality. The home library is supposed to transport you to a different world, give you your favorite artwork and trinkets, and offer you a variety beyond your favorite books.
From spare rooms to cozy library in your home
Converting an unused bonus room into a home library is an opportunity to give a new purpose to an overlooked space. With intentional design and personal details, that extra room can become a welcoming retreat for your cozy evening with a good book. From thoughtful shelves and vintage accents to comfortable seating, each element contributes to a room that is as functional as it is relaxing.
