11 "Novel" Ways to Design a Home Library

No matter the size and style of your home, incorporating a reading room will give your book lovers a space to curl up and while away a cold winter afternoon.

By Sarita Harbour | Updated Aug 18, 2015 01:19 PM

Book Nooks and Stately Libraries

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Book Nooks

While a dedicated room just for reading feels like a luxury, the standard elements of such a space are pretty basic—good natural or artificial lighting, comfortable seating, and strong shelves. If you're a book lover in need of a place where you can read undisturbed, take some inspiration from these 11 reading rooms, which run the gamut from cozy to clever to cool. Whether you have a vaulting two-story space at your disposal or only a tiny closet, you'll find some smart ideas in these book lovers' lairs.

http://zenandgenki.com

Modern Library

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Modern Library

Taking advantage of a ton of books and lots of wall space, an open staircase with a wrought-iron banister mirrors the shelving style, providing visual appeal and connecting the first and second floor. 

flashdecor.livejournal.com

A-Frame Archives

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A-Frame Room

Make the most of your A-frame attic or home by taking the shelves right up to the roofline, creating an interesting and functional feature to a top-floor reading room.

likecool.com

Comfortably Traditional

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Wall of Books

Dark shelves, a classic leather sofa, and a plaid ottoman give this space elegance, while natural light from the double French doors and high window aids reading and adds warmth. Accent lights call attention to a row of art books used as a display, drawing the eye up.

flexwi.com

Recess for Readers

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Book Shelves

Twin wall sconces and a velvet sofa enhance the recess in this wall of books, providing a cozy seating area amidst the light shelves.

Angie Hranowsky

A Home for Books

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Open Concept

Incorporating a feature wall of books instead of trying to carve out a separate reading room makes sense for open-concept homes. This two-story space employs a mixture of woods and white walls, keeping the reading room bright, modern, and central to the home.

nevillejohnson.co.uk

Room for Epic Adventures

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Two Story Library

Ready to dive into The Odyssey? Then you need a truly epic reading room. This beautiful family library, complete with a catwalk, is cozy and classic, featuring wall sconces and a comfy bench seat with drawers underneath.

Lori Eanes

A Great Divide

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Room Dividing Bookshelf

Why have just one reading room when you can have two? This floor-to-ceiling open wall provides shelf space for books and magazines, while the large windows offer natural light and a view of the greenery outdoors.

homeview3d.com

Laddered Library

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Library Ladder

With this laddered, kid-friendly library wall, half the fun of reading a book is getting it down. The built-in bench is a great place to flip through a picture book and could provide space for additional shelves as the kids and library grow.

dwell.com

Cozy Alcove

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Reading Alcove

A blue-gray color palette, washed oak floors, and an unusual angle over built-in seating makes this reading alcove light and airy. Recessed shelves and deep drawers provide extra storage, while inset light fixtures keep things bright.

trendir.com

Teeny Tiny Reading Nook

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Kids Bookshelf

Do you have little ones but no space for a reading room? Good news — teeny tiny readers need teeny tiny reading rooms. Formerly a closet, this book nook now offers shelves and comfy cushions for the smallest readers.

abernathycrafts.blogspot.com

Blue Surroundings

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Blue Library

This delightful reading room steers away from traditional dark wood shelves yet stays classic with its blue and mustard palette. Accent lights illuminate the book collection, and a timeless leather chesterfield anchors the space.

Crisp Architects

For More...

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