A growing body of evidence suggests that the presence of home libraries during the most formative years of life impacts how proficient adults are in literacy, math, and using technology.
Adults who have grown up with a home library stacked with different genres have shown better communication, leadership, and motivation skills. This is unsurprising, as we know that books reduce stress levels by up to 68% and even lead to a 32% lower rate of mental decline for readers in their later years.
This research supports the notion that having a home library or a small nook to indulge in your favorite books profoundly impacts well-being and intellectual growth.
So how can you reap the benefits?
Well, by designing your own small home library with the help of our 5 simple tips.
Let’s get into it.
5 Easy Home Library Design Tips
How do you bring your intricate vision of a home library to life?
You’ll be happy to know you don’t need a dedicated room or a lot of empty space to make a cozy home library.
Instead, all you need is to:
Make a Nook
Don’t give up on your dreams of having a home library just because you don’t have a full room to dedicate to it. Most of us don’t live in mansions (unfortunately), so often, the best we can do is carve out a nook. But trust us, that’s more than enough.
How do you get started?
First, scout out underutilized spots – a corner of a room, an alcove, or even the space under the stairs (bonus points if you’re reading Harry Potter down there!). Once you’ve found your spot, you can roll up your sleeves.
Outfit the nook with a chair or chaise lounge. This is paramount – you know you won’t even make it to chapter 2 with a sore butt. Add a side table for your drink of choice and throw in a soft blanket. If you’re able to make permanent changes, add built-in shelves or small bookcases to keep your favorite reads within arm’s reach.
With the right furniture and lighting, even a bay window or an attic corner can become a go-to reading spot. The key is to make the space feel secluded and personal so you can truly escape.
Choose Calming Colors
If you can change the color of the walls in your nook, don’t rush into it. The colors in your home library can set the tone – literally and figuratively – for the whole atmosphere of the space.
The right shade can wrap your nook in a warm hug, while the wrong one could be as distracting as a neon sign flashing in the corner of your eye.
If possible, lean toward soothing, neutral tones like beiges or pastels. These colors won’t shout at you while you’re trying to concentrate. Bold hues are exciting at first, but when you’re deep in a chapter, the last thing you need is a fire-engine red wall screaming for attention.
Blues and greens are a popular choice because they bring calming effects and make for a peaceful reading area. Alternatively, consider a deep, rich accent wall behind your bookshelves and keep the rest of the area light and bright.
Keep in mind that natural light amplifies colors. If your home library gets plenty of sunlight, those lighter shades will bounce it around the room and make everything feel more open.
Add Greenery
You shouldn’t overwhelm your small home library with too much clutter. Yet, you also shouldn’t leave it barebones.
Striking the right balance is imperative, and a great way to do that is with greenery.
Adding plants, real or faux, softens the space and promotes an atmosphere conducive to reading, writing, and relaxing. Real plants also give you a little company as they grow and thrive while you’re deep into a book – a symbolic bookmark if you will.
But if you’re not a green thumb, don’t knock faux greenery. We recommend hooking up an artificial hanging plant to add height to your nook without taking up any more of your limited floor space.
Or, you can prop up a small potted plant on your side table for minimal upkeep but maximum coziness. Whatever you decide, having greenery around while reading can do wonders for your motivation.
Hang Artwork
A house is not a home without artwork and we believe the same holds true for your home library nook.
Your art can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. You can choose classic oil paintings, minimalist prints, or framed quotes that motivate and inspire you – there’s something out there to fit every taste and style.
If you have the vertical space, make a gallery wall with a mix of small and large pieces. For example, use a larger statement piece to anchor your nook and surround it with a variety of smaller, simpler works.
Now, we understand that not everyone can hammer nails into the walls, especially when renting. If you can’t make permanent changes, look for removable, peel-and-stick artwork that don’t leave a trace.
Scatter Trinkets
Last but equally important – adding a personal touch to your nook. Trinkets and knickknacks will give you the lived-in appearance you’ve been chasing and ensure your home library doesn’t look like the hundreds of others on Pinterest.
Truthfully, this is the best part of creating a cozy home library – you get to be creative with it and decorate it however you like.
Here’s what we recommend doing: scatter a few cherished items on your shelves or side tables to fill up the space. These can be whatever you want – travel souvenirs, candles, decorative bookends, or those quirky ceramics your cousin brought you from Mexico.
Still, make sure you avoid clutter. Curate a few meaningful objects that reflect your experiences and showcase your personality. Don’t overwhelm your library, complement it.
Conclusion
A cozy home library is only 5 steps away.
And as you can see, you don’t need to plan or strategize too much to get your little nook running. In most cases, you need items that will make you feel at ease and a space that serves as your retreat from the chaos of daily life.
In the end, the beauty of your home library will be its ability to evolve with you. This space won’t be stationary – it will change as often as your tastes.
But in the end, it should still continually inspire and comfort.
