4 Tips to Building Your Own Home Library

1) Choose a Location

Yes, the first step is identifying the proposed area to create your in-home library. Though it’s ideal to have a room with doors dedicated for this purpose, it isn’t necessary. The critical feature you’d need is a well-lit and ventilated area. Consider using a spot or area in your home with low traffic and is relatively noise-free. Having your bookcases in areas with such features helps you to avoid distractions while reading in home libraries.

2) Prioritize Good Lighting

Regardless of the layout you choose, you should add several forms of lighting to the area. Add wall lamps, ceiling lights, sconces and table lights for ambient lighting and for specific task spaces – like next to a favorite club chair or over a desk. Primary lighting sources such as small format recessed lighting can be used to allow your library to serve other functions, like entertaining.

3) Decide on a Bookshelf

If your space allows a good way to go is to consider building a bookshelf onto your library's walls. By creating storage with built-in bookshelves your room can double as book storage and office space. Another option is purchasing a bookshelf to line the walls in your home. Wall bookcases can be purchased Pottery Barn which comes with crown molding trim. Working in a smaller space or nook, consider bookcases from Antropologie.com, Wayfair.com or Ikea.com.

4) Design Your Space

Once you have decided on the bookshelf you want, all that's left to do is design the area to fit your aesthetic. An easy way to do so is to work within the room's existing color palette and paint the bookshelf accordingly, Next, look to what you would like to store and display. Add to the space what you like but don’t feel you need to cram as much as possible onto the shelves. This could make your bookshelf look imposing and cluttered.