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Designer's Touch: 10 Luxurious Libraries
A reading space doesn't have to be huge to be grand. From over the top to under the stairs, these libraries will inspire your literary side
Houzz Contributor. Shane Inman is president and senior principal interior designer of The Inman Company. After earning a B.A. in interior design from Michigan State University, he started his career specializing in custom kitchen and bath design. He is a certified interior designer by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), a certified kitchen designer by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and also holds the highest-ranking memberships with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
Houzz Contributor. Shane Inman is president and senior principal interior... More »
Despite iPads and e-books, few things beat sitting down with a good book in a cozy space. Don't let your books languish away in your garage or attic — put them on display in your own home library. Even if you don't have the space that these libraries have, you can still design a reading nook that keeps your favorites on hand. Embrace these top-notch designer tips to create your own ultimate home library.
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1. High-end library. An empty wall is all you really need to build a library. If your space has vaulted ceilings, show them off by extending the wall of books to the very top.
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2. Wall of built-ins. Flank your fireplace and indulge your room with oversize built-in bookshelves. They'll make a visual statement and act like artwork.
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3. Study hall. If you have a hallway that's wide enough, create a handy library by lining it with freestanding bookshelves from end to end. Use the space to store all your favorite books and magazines that you'll want to grab on the go.
See more smart uses for your hallway
See more smart uses for your hallway
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| 4. Library under the stairs. Use the wonderful space under your staircase as the perfect cozy library room. Add shelving, a comfortable bench and a reading lamp to create a reading hideaway. |
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5. Book nook. Transform a closet into a library oasis by installing wall shelves to store your favorite reads. Tuck a bench and pillows inside for comfort while reading.
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6. Floating library. Wall-mounted and suspended bookshelves are great for sleek and modern libraries. This straightforward solution makes sweeping easy too.
7. Urban cool library. If you're convinced you don't have a spot for a library, try this fix: Place shelving on the back wall of your stair landings. If you live in a small condo or loft, this is a great way to make use of every inch.
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8. Powder room reading. A built-in bookshelf could be the perfect custom alternative to the usual bathroom magazine rack. Place books of your choice on the shelves along with some accessories for a miniature and decorative bathroom library.
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9. Art wall. Install a slat wall anywhere in your home and place floating shelves on the slats to hold books and other memorabilia. Create your own shelving design or purchase one that is ready to assemble.
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| 10. Bedtime story. Having books right by the bedside is handy for bedtime readers. With built-in shelving for books and a corner desk for journal writing, this room is a literature lover's dream. |
Ideabook published on July 9, 2012.
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Years ago, the NYT did a magazine spread on people who collect books, in apartments and houses, and how they stored and cared for them. It was right up my alley because by then I had a few thousand hardbacks and was running out of space and also wondering if I was taking care of them properly. We've moved several times since then and my husband has built each library taking into consideration the constant expansion.
But here's the real deal with books...they collect dust. You really have to vacum them weekly and break down the library twice a year. Breaking down consists of taking out every book, vacuming them and the shelves and washing down the shelves to avoid an invasion of paper mites.
So, if you're a book lover please remember it comes with a bit of work. But oh the joy!!!
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