Creating your own library at home

You don’t necessarily need a designated room for a library anymore and can incorporate it wherever you have a cozy nook.

Choose Your Spot

While a room with doors is ideal, it’s not necessary. You’ll want to pick a spot in your home that’s not loud or heavily trafficked. One with lots of natural light or at least the capability of being well lit. It can be anywhere in your home, from the bedroom to the office to the dining room and anywhere in between!

Storing Your Books

This will depend on how many books you have and if you plan on putting them all in your library. Make sure the spot you’ve chosen has the space for them all. If you have a large collection, floor-to-ceiling book shelves will be your best option. Maybe even built-ins if you have the budget. For smaller collections you can use a freestanding bookcase or even modern, floating shelves. Whichever you go with, make sure that you properly secure your shelves to the walls.

Get the Right Shelves

You won’t want your bookshelves to sag, so make sure you buy the proper ones when building a home library. A 36” long shelf should be at least 1” thick. Go thicker if it’s longer. A good idea is to get adjustable shelves, too, so you can accommodate short paperbacks and tall coffee table books alike without wasting space. Better, custom made bookcases will provide greater support and last longer than cheaper made retail bookcases.

How to Clean Your Books

When you have a large collection, or small, sometimes you get pests trying to make a feast of your literary treasures. At the very least, they attract a lot of dust. Regularly cleaning them will keep pests out and keep you from sneezing while you read. Remove books before cleaning a shelf with a soft cloth and some polish. As you place them back vertically with their spines facing outward for support, wipe them down with a clean microfiber cloth or vacuum them.