A library in your living room
Cruise Instagram or Pinterest, and you’ll find numerous examples of warm, comfy reading areas decked out with twinkling string lights and endless built-in shelves.
So how do you evoke the feeling of having your own library in a small space with a small budget? We asked some experts for advice.
The books
Before New York City designer Tara Seawright starts any decorating project, she asks clients to cut their collections.
To help them decide what stays and what goes, she suggests that they think about each volume’s day-to-day use and why they’re buying and acquiring books in the first place.
‘‘The whole idea of books has really changed, and things get very edited,’’ she said. This is especially true in places where space is at a premium.
‘‘Books have become more like a resource library, and people tend to keep those that are more visually arresting.’’
Other questions to consider: Do you turn to a physical dictionary to look up words, or are you using an app?
Do you have a favourite cookbook, or are you finding recipes online?
Do you like to reread your favourite books? Are there books that are personally meaningful to you? Do they help you with hobbies, work or school?
When you’re finished, you’ll have a curated collection that reflects your passions and interests without cluttering your space, Seawright said.
The cases
Don’t feel pressure to stick to petite furniture just because you’re furnishing a small space.
‘‘People tend to get a few small bookshelves in a small space and keep them all at a manageable height,’’ said Laurie Gillman, co-owner of East City Bookshop in Washington, DC, who has a background in interior design.
‘‘But if you get a taller bookshelf that goes as close as you can to the ceiling, it makes a space feel much bigger than a lot of little shelves everywhere.’’
She recommends picking a larger piece for your main book storage, and then supplementing with smaller options as needed.
‘‘Having something that’s bigger somehow makes the space feel more put together and inviting,’’ she said.
Gillman uses several Ikea bookcases in her store, as well as some more statementmaking pieces in bright colours or chrome that she bought second-hand, found on online or even picked up off the footpath.
The alternatives
The options are limitless when it comes to storing and decorating with books, even if you lack space.
Think about nooks and crannies or those spots that might not normally be used, such as above a door frame or under the treads of a staircase.
If you have high cabinets in your kitchen that aren’t used often, Seawright suggests taking the doors off the highest row and displaying books there.
Seawright suggests putting shelves directly on the wall. If you do so, she recommends picking shelves that match the colour of the walls and have an outside edge to prevent books from sliding and falling.
Be careful not to hang shelves in places that would impede opening doors or windows.
Or, don’t use storage at all. As long as they’re not in the way, piles of books on the floor or under windowsills can look artful and interesting.
‘‘Stack them next to a day bed to make a visual statement,’’ Seawright suggests.
The rest
You don’t need a window seat or a wood-panelled study to create a cosy reading spot. Seawright and
Gillman agreed that the essentials are a comfy seat, good lighting and a place to put down a drink.
If you read in coffee shops or libraries, ‘‘start noticing when you stay for a long time in a place and try to replicate that in your own home,’’ Seawright said.
A supportive seat is important, because you won’t use the space if you can’t be comfortable there for a while, Seawright said.
She suggests pairing it with a
cushioned ottoman. ‘‘Pick something comfortable where you can put your feet that’s not a stool,’’ she said. Pillows and throws are inexpensive ways to add more softness.
A place to put a drink, your phone or a small stack of books is essential.
Gillman uses several nested tables in the store so she can have extra space to display books when she has more inventory during busy seasons, but anyone could apply this idea to their own space.
Adequate lighting is key for good reading.
Seawright suggests investing in a dimmer switch to control the mood and to choose bulbs that don’t have a blue tint to create warmth and cosiness. You could also go basic. ‘‘You could create a cosy book nook with some floor cushions, a light and maybe some milk crates to hold the books,’’ Gillman said.
‘‘It doesn’t have to be the most beautiful or most expensive.’’