How to Create a Home Library
Physical copies of books are rapidly being replaced with digital formats. However, this does not mean that books have lost their appeal. Many of us still like to display special editions and wonderfully executed hardcovers. This is why having a home library is the one trend that will never go away.
Some public libraries may look like they’ve come straight from a period piece, but they are hardly a place where one can unwind. Building a home library in this day and age has never been easier. With materials like bamboo lumber, this process will be a piece of cake. We have listed some useful tips and tricks to help you get the library of your dreams.
Catalog and Organize Your Books
Not many homeowners have enough space to convert an entire room into a library. Most often than not, they opt for a simpler solution to merge this space with a home office or a personal study. This process includes building shelves from sturdy materials like bamboo wood sheets and picking which books will adorn those shelves later on.
Before you start adapting your study by demolishing walls or ordering new furniture, you should organize your books first. Ask yourself if you want to put all of your books on display or you want to stick to just a selected few. Think of the ways you can organize them. Will you do it in alphabetical order or according to the genre? These are all pressing matters you need to address before you do anything else.
An Abundance of Shelves
What kind of library would it be if it didn’t have some fabulous shelves? This is why we suggest you have all of your shelves custom-made. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of options like bamboo plywood, solid wood like cherry or birch, and soft wood like pine and oak. Our tip is to go with something affordable but of decent quality.
Bamboo wood sheets are fairly easy to work with and extremely sturdy, which means you will be able to store all of your books without worries. Floor-to-ceiling shelves are a very common choice as far as home libraries are concerned. With these, you’ll never have to worry about the lack of storage space.
If your collection is on the smaller side, you can always start with commercial shelves and then expand as your collection continues to grow. If you are a fan of everything that has to do with interior design, something more adventurous like floating shelves might be the right choice for you.
Create a Reading Nook
Every decent bibliophile can appreciate the importance of having a cozy reading nook. This corner will become a safe place where you can get lost in the elaborate worlds of your favorite fictional characters. Therefore, it goes without saying that such a nook is a requirement in your home library. With builder-friendly materials like bamboo wood sheets, your nook will be ready in a blink of an eye.
Bamboo lumber is an excellent option because it is extremely easy to maintain, so you won’t have to worry about spills and scratches that are bound to happen at a certain point. All you need to do now is throw in a couple of pillows, your favorite blanket, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and you’re good to go.
Lights Matter
Now that your books and bamboo lumber shelves are organized to perfection and your reading nook is ready, it’s high time to set the mood with some quality lighting. Experts recommend a combination of different types of lights you can adjust according to your needs. The light you use must be strong enough for you to make out the words you’re reading without difficulties.
Ideally, you’ll be using three types of lighting — ambient, task, and accent lights. Ambient lights are normally light fixtures we mount on ceilings, and they are the main source of light in a room. The other two should be added accordingly to set the mood or as an additional light source.
Once you have these basics covered, everything else will gradually fall into place. Feel free to play around and add other pieces as you move along. Keep in mind that you are creating your own library, which should be a place you feel comfortable and safe from the rest of the world.
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