8 Things You Need to Create an Awesome Home Library

All homes have bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. Some homes even have basements and a family room. However, it’s very rare to have a home library, but it’s not as difficult to create one as you’d think.

First you must know what a home library is. It’s a comfortable room where all of your books are on display and you can go and read after a long day. Libraries in the home are usually associated with the wealthy, but a person in any financial situation can have one.

In fact, we’ve come up with 8 items you need to transform any room into your very own home library.

1. The Biggest Book Case You Can Find

If you want a library in your home, we assume that you love books. If that’s the case, you want to get the biggest book case you can find. You want everything on display similar to what you would expect at a public library.

The most common home library book cases stretch from floor to ceiling so you have an entire wall of books. Not only are you able to show off your impressive collection, but you’ll be able to see everything and easily find the book you want to read.

Now Fill That Book Case

Even if you don’t have a large book collection yet, we suggest getting a large book case. You want a library so it’s obvious that you love reading. You’re going to fill that book case over time.

Plus, it’s better to go big and have extra room than to get a smaller book case and have to find a new one in a year. We suggest that you get the biggest one you can find and work on filling.

You’ll Want a Small Ladder to Reach the Books on the Top Shelf

As we previously mentioned, it’s a good idea to get a book case that stretches from floor to ceiling. The problem is, how do you reach the books on the top shelf?

You’re going to need a book case ladder in order to reach the books on the top shelf. These ladders are typically smaller than a traditional ladder and are made to match the color and wood grain of the book case. They’re an essential part of your home library.

2. An Extremely Comfortable Chair

Now that you have the books, you need somewhere to read them. Nothing beats having a large, comfy chair you can plop in with a good book. Without a comfortable chair, your library is nothing more than a room with books.

Maybe you want more than just a chair. Depending on the size of your home library, you can get a love seat or couch. No form of seating is out of the question as long as it’s comfortable and fits in the room.

You Can’t Read Without a Blanket

You know what would make a comfortable chair even better? Having a blanket to wrap up in. Blankets and reading go together like peanut butter and jelly. Just imagine curling up in your large chair on a cold winter evening, wrapped in a thick blanket and reading a good book. Sounds like heaven.

3. You’ll Need a Lamp to See What You’re Reading

It’s impossible to read in the dark so you’re going to need some lighting for your home library. However, you may not what to turn on the light in the room because it’s harsh and takes away from relaxing.

That’s where a lamp comes in handy. It lights a small area with soft lighting that’s perfect for reading. Whether it’s a table or floor lamp, you can find a wide variety at any department store.

4. A Large, Operable Window is a Must

However, during the day you don’t want to be using lamps. It’s a waste of power, especially if you can be enjoying natural light. That means you’re going to need a window in your library.

Windows will allow for natural light to pass into your home. This is great for reading without the use of harsh, unnatural light from a bulb. Also, sun light has many benefits including improved mood and greater productivity.

You want to make sure that you get an operable window for your home library. This will allow you to enjoy a cool breeze and fresh air. You’ll also be able to hear the calming sound of the outside which helps relax you so you can get engrossed in your book.

If you’re getting replacement windows for your home library, make sure they’re made of vinyl. Vinyl windows are more energy efficient, durable and require less maintenance than their wood and aluminum counterparts. Plus, you can get them in any style or color to meet your needs.

Don’t Forget About Window Treatments

A huge part of stylizing your windows is getting the right window treatments. When used correctly, a window treatment can become the focal point of the entire room and give the room an elegant or eccentric look.

That’s not all a window treatment offers. They also cover up your windows for privacy. The last thing you want is someone peeping into your library. Window treatments can hide what you have and deter burglars from victimizing your home.

Sometimes, the sun’s light is just too harsh and you want to allow less into your home. Window treatments can do that for you. Thinner, lacier treatments still allow light into your room but mute the intensity. This is a great idea especially if you’re going to be spending a lot of time in there reading.

5. Small End Tables Are a Plus

You know what goes great with a good book? A nice cold drink and a hot meal. However, without a table to put a cup and plate on, you can’t have that in your library.

Small end tables aren’t essential for your home library but are a plus. It’s somewhere you can place a drink and a sandwich to snack on while you relax. Just make sure you have coasters so you don’t leave rings on the table.

6. Add a Bit of Color and Life With Some Plants

Even the most avid readers don’t want to spend time in a dusty, boring library. You’ll want to spice it up or give it a little flavor and we have just the way: plants.

Plants are a great way to add a little color to your room. Up until now, everything we suggested is plain and consists of neutral colors. Adding the greens, purples and reds of some flowers might give the room a little more personality.

Plus, plants have a very Earthy feel to them. They help give the room a little life and somewhat blur the lines between outside and inside. Did we mention that they also smell great?

7. Get Elegant With a Fireplace

Now we’re getting a little more elegant with our suggestions. These last two are only for the most die hard readers, but they’ll take your home library to another level. Guests will be jealous when they see what you’ve done with the room.

Have you ever sat down by a fireplace and read a book? It’s absolutely amazing. You can have that same feeling if you add a fireplace to your library. You have several options to choose from. There are many fake fireplaces that give the look of a real fireplace and even emit heat.

However, you probably want the real deal. If you don’t want to have major construction done to your home to add a chimney and flue, we suggest getting a ventless fireplace. Ventless fireplaces require no vent and can be installed anywhere in your home.

8. A Chandelier is a Great Centerpiece

Having a chandelier in your library is going to turn the room into the most elegant area of your home. Their large crystal displays hanging from the ceiling are enough to make anyone’s jaw drop.

Even better, when combined with a window, your chandelier will play with natural light unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Have you ever shined a light through a crystal? It’s gorgeous, and the light fragments in many different directions. If you can get a chandelier for your library, we highly suggest it.

Make the Best Home Library With These 8 Items

Many homeowners think a library is just out of the question – only rich people have them. However, you can have a home library and you just need these 8 items. There are three keys: having place to store books, a comfortable place to sit and enough light to read.

One major source of light is through windows. If you need replacement windows for your home library, get a free quote from Feldco. Our windows are made of energy efficient vinyl and installed by factory trained and certified professionals. Start your replacement window project today.