Want somewhere comfortable and welcoming to study in your home? Jane Drew shows you how to create a library area
1. Be nostalgic
As your base, think back to the days when gentlemen retired to the library after dinner with their brandy and cigars, to discuss topics of the day, leaf through almanacs and play backgammon. Rooms would typically be snug and moodily lit, featuring a mahogany desk and luxurious leather club chair, a card table, a good rug and of course wall-to-wall bookcases.
2. Keep it minimal
A room like this doesn’t require much furniture, so you can set yourself up in a tiny converted bedroom or even a onetime maid’s room. If all you really want from your library area is a place to read, limit yourself to a couple of bookcases and a comfortable chair placed in the corner of a bedroom.
3. Stay true to yourself
When designing your library consider that it is first and foremost an “away” room; a very personal space where you go to take time out. If comfort for you means gorgeous floor pillows or wrap-around window seating, so be it. If on the other hand, you want maple wood surrounds and a gilt-topped bar, that’s okay too.
4. Think wall to wall
Customised shelving is worth the extra expenditure, as it will allow you to line the entire wall from floor-to-ceiling and side-to-side with books. If the ready-made bookcase you see at your local retailer almost covers the wall but leaves a gap to one side, don’t buy it. An entire wall of books looks impressive and plays up the proportions of a room, shelving that doesn’t quite fit looks shoddy.
5. Get on the ladder
A library ladder that clips on to floor-length bookshelves adds the finishing touch. Not only does it look the part, it will allow you easy access to those dusty first editions on the top shelf.
6. Customise shelving
Your best option is to have your shelving custom made. Wood works here, as it will withstand the weight of even the heftiest tomes. Your contractor will take a look at your book collection and measure up the shelving to fit: you might want to keep your bulky atlases on one wall or in one section and your paperbacks in another. Try to avoid overstuffing your bookshelves; the idea is to create a neat, orderly effect whether or not you go the whole way and alphabetise.
7. Balance the effect
To avoid too overpowering an effect, line not more than two walls of your library area with books; leaving a couple of walls blank will provide visual balance and prevent the room from looking too busy.
8. Show off a little
In all likelihood the library will also be the place in which you choose to have your personal memorabilia on show — and you’ll want to have it to hand. Be sure to allow plenty of display space for sport trophies, stamp collections, family portraits and the like.
9. Paint it white
The Victorians tended to panel their libraries in wood or paint them in a bold hue, like racing green or magenta. In the modern home, however, it’s safer to stick to a clean white emulsion, adding in a few paintings to provide colour.
10. Embrace technology
In homes where multi-tasking and flexibility of space are important, you might find your library area doubles well not only as a study/den but also as an entertainment centre. Have fun with the 18th Century angle but, for 2007, treat yourself to a spanking new projector screen as well.
