BOOKS AS A DECORATING ASSET
A home library or an attractive arrangement of books add wonderful warmth and really show your personality. But often you find books spread about the house in a variety of assorted bookcases and you have to go from room to room to try and find what you are after. I really don't have one place that I can put all my books and set up a "library", although this would be nice and it can be done in a lot of homes. Even if you can't, it is possible to have "zone libraries". For instance, in the computer room you can have all your computer related books, perhaps store the books you might read for relaxation in the room with the comfortable reading chair, cookbooks near or in the kitchen, etc. I think it would be ideal to have one great library, comfortable chairs and the computer all in one comfortable room, but that is a luxury I don't have at the moment and I doubt if many people do.
For whatever situation you find yourself in, I've gathered some ideas that might help. Sometimes a library can be created in otherwise wasted space. In my home there was a half height "planter" that divided the front entry from the living room. It was like a sheet rock box - about one foot deep and 5 feet long, with the well for plants in the top. This box was hollow but closed in. My husband removed most of the sheet rock from the side facing the living room, framed up the opening he created, added shelves inside and now it houses photo albums and one category of books - some rather large - they all fit, its neat and the space is no longer wasted.
If your house has a wide hallway, you might find a way to add bookshelf space, preferably built in. Second floor landings can be great places to create libraries and if it is a large enough space you might even be able to fit in a comfortable chair and lamp.
If you have a wall you can devote to books, consider floor to ceiling shelves and put the least used books on top, providing a safe and convenient way to reach them when necessary. It will look better and make better use of the space, but will probably require custom building and wouldn't be suitable for renters. As an alternative check out these bookcases, which come in assorted heights, so you can fit them to your space. Heights are available up to 84", they are available in three finishes and the shelf heights are adjustable too.
If you have a large window that goes nearly to the floor, but misses going all the way by a couple of feet, why not create some nice book space underneath.
Look around your home and use your imagination. You will probably find some "dead" space that can store your books in an attractive and functional way. By the way, this also works for storing other things besides books.
