If you don't squint you'll miss the ladder in this shot. I love these shelves.

Bookshelves are beautiful and functional, but they can overwhelm a space if they're not properly offset. Placing a mirror in between these shelves keeps the whole room from feeling cluttered.

One of my favorite images is the French apartment stacked with books in every corner. This room is a little neater than my imaginary flat, but I love how not only do books line the walls, they're also stacked on every available surface. Throw in a few on the floor, and I'd be really happy.

Large symmetrical book displays are one of the best ways to make a statement in a room filled with books. These displays frequently flank a fireplace as seen here. The symmetry allows all of the books to come together in a clean design so that they add a nice geometric pattern to the room. Here we also see that some favorite books are stacked on the coffee table which makes this room a really appealing place to do some reading in. People who want to devote an entire room to their library should look at this type of design.

Now THAT'S a library! Double ladders and great overhead lighting make these even more impressive.

And these bookshelves, too. In this room, I love how the dark wood contrasts with the white walls. Which brings us to...

This recessed shelves are such a beautiful feature. Note also how well they are lit from above.

This comfortable living room doubles as a library. Another design element that libraries let you use are those gorgeous swing arm sconces, seen above the shelves.

This living room emphasizes the fireplace by flanking it with inset bookshelves, complete with library ladders and library lights overhead. Side note: This room is a perfect lesson in scale; the shelves, mirror and chandelier hold their own against the high walls.

This is a beautiful example of a transitional-style library. It has the bones of a traditional library but has lightened things up with paint color, fabrics and light fixtures.Where and how do you store the books in your home? Let us know in the Comments section.More:24 Amazing Walls of BooksTour a Book Lover's Beautiful Cape Cod

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.

Grouping

love bookcases and ladders

Inset into wall - more reveal around the perimeter

Library

no!!

bookshelves flanking fireplace

I love the idea of the swing arm sconces above the shelves. That or LED light ropes for soft glow!

Library lights

hate light but like the general setup and feel

upstairs with ambient lighting

Bookcases

filled bookcase

contrasting color of bookshelves

Library on wall

flanking fireplace

Like but with darker walls

Woah

Built in wall

library

books

like the lights

Living room

two shelf walls, two ladders what fun!

More "into the wall" bookcases

Svarte bokhyller

Cd shelves

Shelves

just like the idea of the wheely ladder

great shelves; fire place in middle; lights shine on books;

Q

Good idea

Love how they're actually built into the wall.

bookshelves

built in library

bookshelf set into the wall

i love this room

bookcase with light

bookcase with lighting

Co

tablo-kutuphane guzel

Love how the books are incorporated into the design, without it feeling cluttered or stuffy.

fireplace/bookcase

Shelves w ladders

bookcases with lights for long hallway

Library lights

What's French here? Books in shelves and stacks.

Build shelves into brick?

kutuphane

two couches, two chairs..

put fireplace between bookcases?

lighting

bookcases

white walls ..dark wood book shelves

library

recessed shelves - floating

built ins

Laddersx2?

Linear form

books + close convo space

mirror/ photograph over the fireplace

I am not suggesting that anything exactly like this would work in the house but I like the look of the juxtaposition of books and fireplaces. If we went with the garage option, how budget-busting would it be to put an electric/gas fireplace in?

scale of built ins

Library layout

like the recessed bookshelves with ladder

inset bookshelves...

glamour

Library built-in shelving w/overhead LIGHTING

book shelves

The inset bookshelves are modern, but classic.

Color of shelves

lights above the shelves

library

fireplace wall with bookcases, arrangement of furniture

encastre

Floor to ceiling book shelves in nook before stairs

reception sofas

Bookshelf idea3

symmetry of the wall is something like what we're trying to create

Centered furniture

This is a very cool idea. Its modern but certain aspects like the ladders make it feel traditional.

overall feel

bookcases

partially built in

Fireplace bookcases

mirror between shelves

shelves

Using more than one library ladder in a room

Like the embedded shelving - not too dark

Recessed book shelves plus painting over fireplace. Ceilings too high. No extension to dining

The living room will be light, elegant and spacious, with lots of books and seating for any occasion. No TV in the living room ... strictly for interacting.

Looks like its in a high ceiling area. Maybe entry way room?

Bookself

Bookcase

lighting above book cases

Like lighting over bookcase , like set in wall

couleur

built in bookcase

sillón respaldo curvo. Clima.

Lights above bookshelves

Library flanking fireplace

built ins

shelves up to the ceiling? or not?

Library!

library shelving imbeded in the wall

Library

transitional style bookshelves

I like different shapes

built in bookshelves wiht lighting above

Shelves mounted in wall. Lights over.

library.2

bookshelves

the inset bookshelves

wow "This living room emphasizes the fireplace by flanking it with inset bookshelves, complete with library ladders and library lights overhead. Side note: This room is a perfect lesson in scale; the shelves, mirror and chandelier hold their own against the high walls."

Living to cover glass

Love The Sofa

Shelves for tall room?

Library lighting

Library lighting is about more than just the perfect, overhead fixture. Bookcase lights add that low, romantic lighting perfect for an evening spent surrounded by favorite novels. They also illuminate the classic volumes for which this room was named, displaying prominently the books that are the centerpiece.

bookcases

shelves

inset shelves

I love the bookshelves bulit into the wall. That's what I'm looking to do in my living room

Lighting above

bookcase built off the ground. plus the lights. spesh!

cool space

bookcases

lights over the book case

библиотека

Bookshelves

decoracion y estantes

Library

The shelves are art. Make very strong statement.

I like the comfort setting

Set up of the room

couch positioning

asdf

Library

Units are up off the floow

couch arrangement

s3

Oh, yeah.

Flank your fireplace and indulge your room with oversize built-in bookshelves. They'll make a visual statement and act like artwork.

Love.

symmetrical bookshelves

cute

Library2

lighting over bookcases

all around georgous

necessary for our place

Library ideas 1

Room design

So many books!

bookcases

Partially in wall.

the feminine and masculine couches

Use of stud space rather than floor space

Ha! I wish.

built in bookcase

books!!

lighting

size of mirror over fireplace

Knygu lentyna imontuota i siena

.

Lights above bookcase

Built-in bookshelves surrounding the mantle.

bookcases either side the fireplace

built-ins

Built in shelving around fireplace

Love the idea of flanking bookcases around a mirror. Would be wonderful in my great room on each side of my sideboard with the mirror above. due to space, would use shelves painted a bright color to give a bit of pop.

book cases

could work in my LR

Great Space!

in wall

libraries, books, fireplace

possible for Harmony Homestead

books books

library

library effect

or do like this in great room with lights like this

salon library

dramatic fireplace - even though mirror has tiny frame

Books

lights over bookshelves.

Books

library idea

bookcases, colors

Picture lights