:strip_icc()/Dark-Green-Home-Library-103219691_DYUGQ72iKUt9Af2XnYTncQ-c4e99a60fed341908ce0119e415b6833.jpg "31 Home Library Ideas to Create a Cozy Reading Spot")
These home library ideas will help you create the reading space of your dreams, whether you prefer a cozy style (think Jane Austen) or a dark-and-moody vibe (Sherlock Holmes, anyone?)
Your home library should also be a reflection of you, a space for beloved childhood books and travel guides to your favorite destinations, as well as framed family photos and mementos; don’t forget to set aside a few favorite books for the coffee table, as conversation starters.
No worries if you’re short on space. We’ll show you how to tuck books away in an alcove or unused corner or nook. Not sure about the right lighting? We’ve got ideas for that, too, so you can curl up with your books at any time of day or night.
Cozy Home Library
Dark, moody colors feel especially fitting for a sophisticated home library. Combine saturated colors like navy blue, charcoal, or hunter green with rich wood finishes for a warm, traditional look. To balance the dark shade, install library sconces above shelves and employ floor lamps and tabletop fixtures for reading light.
Dark and Moody Home Library
Adam Albright
For a dark and moody home library filled with character, go with a deep wall color such as this dark green. Layer it with chunky wood floating shelves finished with a dark stain and then add mood lighting in the form of cool wall sconces.
Color-Coded Home Library
Brie Williams
There are many ways to store books and organize your home library, one of them being by color. Take inspiration from this modern space and install white floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and then arrange your book collection by color. Hang a couple of pieces of art or a cool mirror directly on the shelves for an unexpected touch.
Traditional Home Library
Brian McWeeney
To design a traditional home library, take inspiration from this lovely room and start with a soft pink color scheme. Add pops of another color, such as this vibrant blue, then tone it all down with an off-white paint color on the trim, decorative millwork, and built-in bookshelves. Bring in cozy furniture for comfy lounging and hang an elegant light fixture to complete the space.
Home Library with Ladder
A classic feature in home libraries, a rolling ladder includes wheels and a track installed above that helps it roll smoothly across bookcases. Practically speaking, a ladder provides access to the highest shelves, but it can also elevate the room as a decorative accent. Choose a contrasting finish that stands out against the walls, or match the ladder to shelving for a seamless look.
Vintage Home Library Furniture
Source furniture from thrift stores, antique shops, and flea markets for a more affordable alternative to built-in home library shelves. Vintage barrister cabinets, traditionally used to hold heavy law books, form a small library area in this sunroom. The individual bookcases don’t match exactly, but an oak top installed across all three makes them look like a single unit.
Home Library Styling
David A Land
Create a cohesive theme in your home library with a specific color scheme and decorative accents. In this coastal-themed room, blue, green, and white books adorn the shelves and are accented with a collection of corals, glass spheres, and natural objects that all contribute to the theme for a polished and pulled-together look.
Elegant Home Library
Ryann Ford
This elegant home library exudes classic sophistication. Recreate the look with a coffered ceiling, built-in bookshelves, decorative millwork, a cozy seating area, and a traditional framed oil painting.
Home Office Library
A home office can easily double as a home library with the right storage and furniture. Install built-in shelves or position bookcases along one wall to hold your book collection, office supplies, and decorative accessories. Bring in a comfortable chair (not your regular desk chair) to help distinguish between work and relaxation time.
Home Library Bookcases with Built-In Sconces
Edmund Barr
A home library should provide a cozy and comfortable place to sit and read. Take design cues from this elegant space and start with built-in bookcases painted in a dark and moody paint color. Install brass wall sconces directly onto the bookcases to add a touch of shine and to create ambient mood lighting in the evenings. Finish off the cozy library aesthetic with a vintage area rug and dark wood furniture that adds character and old-world charm.
Home Library with Colorful Bookshelves
Edward Gohlich
Use a dark paint color on your home library walls and extend it to built-in bookshelves for visual continuity. This will help enclose the space and create a cozy atmosphere, while also making a bold design statement. In this eclectic space, a deep teal paint color on the walls and shelves is layered with a dark leather sofa and wood coffee table for a cool and comfortable ambience.
Unique Home Library
Michael Garland
Instead of storing your book collection on standard bookshelves or built-ins, go with a unique storage solution such as this set of vintage drawers. They are mounted on the wall, creating a neat grid pattern and adding both function and character to this home library.
Neutral Home Library with Backward Books
Jason Donnelly
If you own a large book collection but want to maintain a neutral color scheme in your home library, go with the backward books trend when it comes to styling the shelves. Instead of displaying colorful book spines that look mismatched and break up a neutral color palette, turn the books around so that the pages are facing the front for a clean and uniform appearance.
Home Library in a Wood Paneled Alcove
David Livingston
Create a cozy home library inside an alcove such as this stunning wood paneled one. The dark wood stain and elegant millwork set a traditional backdrop for books and decorative accents, and pair beautifully with the turned leg table and brown chairs.
Black Home Library Shelves
John Merkl
Make a dramatic statement with a deep black paint color on your home library shelves. The dark color creates a feeling a depth and sets a contrasting backdrop for books, keepsakes, and decorative accents. For a more glamorous look, go with a higher paint sheen that will look ultra-chic with mood lighting in the evenings.
Library with a White Ladder Bookshelf
Justin Coit
For a modern look and a light and open atmosphere, swap out a heavy bookcase for a clean-lined white ladder bookshelf. Here, it holds a large collection of colorful books without visually weighing down the small room.
Kids’ Home Library
Bill Holt
House your kids’ book collection in a library of their own. Here, built-in shelves under a window keep books low to the ground and within a child’s reach. If you’re running out of shelf space or want to display seasonal or favorite books in a separate spot, use decorative baskets or a cool vintage accordion book holder such as this one.
Small Space Built-In Bookshelves
Dylan Chandler
If you live in an older home that still uses old radiators for heat, hide them with decorative covers and then install custom built-in shelves between them to distract from the utilitarian elements. Built-in shelves don’t need to have a vertical design or extend from floor to ceiling, tailor them to your space and book collection to make the most of your home library.
Floating Shelves in a Home Library
Edmund Barr
Install floating shelves in your home library if you’re working with minimal square footage and a bulky bookcase won’t work. Floating shelves give you the flexibility of hanging as many or as few as you want and arranging them as you like—provided that they are secured to studs in the wall.
Home Library Nook
If you don’t have an entire room to spare, look to unused corners or nooks that could serve as a small home library. For example, transform the landing at the top of a staircase into a reading area by adding a comfortable lounge chair and book storage. Plug in a floor lamp for nighttime reading, and set a small table near the chair for a cup of tea or books-in-progress.
Contemporary Home Library
Max Kim-Bee
For a contemporary home library, stay away from bookshelves that are overly styled and feature excessively ornate trim. Instead, opt for clean lines, uniform stacks of books, and minimal styling for an open and modern feel.
Living Room Library
Take advantage of built-in shelving to turn a corner of your living room into a functional home library. Use the shelves to organize books by color for a fun rainbow effect, and add task lighting by installing a sconce on an adjacent wall. Position a chair you can sink into nearby with a small stool or ottoman where you can kick up your feet.
Home Library with an Arched Bookcase
John Gruen
An arched bookcase with decorative trim is a sophisticated addition to this home library. It combines open and hidden storage for maximum practicality and its arched shape softens the space, adds architectural character, and creates a beautiful focal point to the room.
Floor-to-Ceiling Shelving
Adam Albright
Maximize storage space in your home library with floor-to-ceiling shelves. If you don’t want to invest in custom built-ins, which can get pricey, take the DIY route and opt for store-bought shelves. Choose shelves that are as close to your ceiling height as possible, add decorative trim, and paint them a dramatic color for a custom look without the hefty price tag.
Kids’ Home Library
Carve out a spot where kids can practice their reading skills or enjoy a bedtime story. Stash books on low shelves easily within reach of small hands, and use stools, child-sized chairs, or floor pillows for seating.
Always secure heavy casework to the wall to prevent it from accidentally tipping over.
Home Library Furniture
In a space intended for relaxing, comfortable furniture is a must. Start with a cushy armchair, and layer in plush pillows and a blanket for extra coziness. A small ottoman or pouf can be a footrest and a spot to set your current read.
Industrial-Style Home Library
John Granen
Set the tone for your home library with the type of shelving you use. In this modern room, a series of ladder shelves attached to the wall bring in a cool industrial vibe and create an open and airy feel. Their metal and wood construction add warmth while maintaining the room’s industrial feel through its clean lines and mixed materials.
Home Library with Built-Ins
Annie Schlechter
Add character and increase storage space in a home library by installing built-in shelves around doors. Recreate this charming space and color drench the entire space—the walls, built-ins, window and door trim, and the ceiling—in a dark and moody paint color that creates a cozy effect.
Home Library with Barn Doors
Marty Baldwin
A set of built-in bookshelves flanks a pair of barn doors in this modern rustic home library. The doors hide a TV and media piece when closed, but are easy to slide open as needed. The bookshelves provide valuable storage while visually framing the white doors.
Modern Home Library
John Merkl
A large floor-to-ceiling bookcase is the focal point of this modern home library. The unique wood and metal bookcase adds a sculptural element to the space, but it’s the book collection and its arrangement that’s the star of the show. Take styling tips from this stunning bookcase and arrange similar looking and sized books—such as these coffee table books—in horizontal and vertical piles for a book wall effect.
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