24 Home Library Ideas for a Serene, Book-Filled Retreat

Soulful Book Lounge

Saturated tones, contrasting textures, and thoughtfully plucked baubles make this elegant, bookish lounge feel like a true getaway. "We wanted this room to feel deep, soulful, and comforting," says interior designer Avery Cox. "Lots of layers, jewel toned colors, and upcycled furniture give this room an old soul feeling. Our client is a photographer, as well, and needed a place to display her vintage camera collection along with her significant accumulation of art books." 

The result is an enticing space perfect for melting into a good book, sipping wine, and appreciating cherished possessions.

Dining Room Library

You don't need an extra room to create a library in your home. Take notes from Colleen Simmonds, who transformed this dining area into a multi-purpose room for eating and reading. She flanked a three-pane window with built-in bookshelves, filling the gap in between with a comfortable bench. The result? A does-everything room (with extra seating to boot).

Earthy, Autumnal Library

"Following the principles of biophilic design, I wanted to create a refuge at home—a cozy reading nook and calm retreat to read, reflect and just be," says Sharon Lomas, an interior designer and founder of A Story of Home. 

Lomas was inspired by her favorite seasonal color palette—autumn in the United Kingdom's Lake District—which features rich tones of green. "I layered natural textures including a pure cotton throw, cotton velvet cushions, and sheepskin. Nature-inspired artwork and living greenery all help connect my space to nature to create a sanctuary at home," she says.

Small and Neutral Library

Turn an unused corridor or hallway space into a walk-through library by building a bookcase into the wall, like Ore Studios did in this Washington home. The cubbies, filled with an assortment of cream-colored books and knick-knacks, don't overwhelm the small enclosure, which was set up to give the owners a moment of calm and quiet.

Paneled Greige Library

Here, handsome monochromatic paneling sets a neutral backdrop for a collection of books, trinkets, and vibrant artwork. Jessica Lagrange, founder of Jessica Lagrange Interiors, says she stained white oak in a custom greige color to get the look. "Capitalizing on the moody atmosphere created by the paneling, the textiles chosen are subdued in color, yet rich in texture," she says.

Airy and Bright Library

Home libraries often take the moody path, but a bright space flooded with light can feel equally inviting. "We wanted the architecture of the space to be the star, and with those windows, everything else in the room is really a backdrop," says Eddie Maestri, principal architect and owner of Maestri Studio. "The patterned drapery and Persian [rug] are a nod to the period of the home." The use of antique books further lend to a simple and understated look.

Home Office-Meets-Library

This multifunctional space serves as a library, sitting room, and home office, which is an option to consider if you're short on space. "The oversized fireplace with a pair of comfortable chairs in front of it encourages you to grab a book, light a fire and enjoy a cozy space to read," says Brad Ramsey, principal designer and founder of Brad Ramsey Interiors. "Tucked away from the main entertaining spaces in the house, it is the perfect quiet place whether you are needing to be productive or to steal away for some quiet time." And how great is that ladder?

Attic Reading Nook

Figuring out what to do with a small attic space can be tricky, but this little room had so much potential. Cox created a flex space from this attic's guest room; it now serves as a space for reading, playing, yoga, and office work.

"There is a small nook for one of [the owner's] children to draw or do homework while Mom works, and the window seat provides a sunny spot for the family dog or for our client to curl up and escape into a book," Cox says. "We were going for a soothing base color with citrusy pops of color to keep things fun and playful. By adding the custom built-in shelving, we were able to maximize the wall space on one end of the room, thus freeing up square footage for workouts and lounge furniture."

Tranquil Book Cove

Here's some inspiration to turn that odd corner or nook in your home into a peaceful cove brimming with books. This library-meets-drawing room, designed by Kate Guinness, isn't huge—but still feels like just the right size. Tall bookshelves and a large window maximize the space, and comfortable seating and lighting make it all the more welcoming. To elevate the tranquil ambience, Guinness' team "chose to paint this library in Ethereal Blue by Edward Bulmer Paint, a color that really lives up to its name."

European Reading Room

Interior designer Jeff Andrews says his goal with this space was to create a European-influenced collected and curated aesthetic. "While the home itself is new construction, everything in this space is vintage or antique, bringing a sense of history to the room," he says. "My favorite pieces in the room are the vintage peacock lamp and the wicker chairs, because they bring so much character and patina to the space."

Modest Azure Library

There's real charm in simplicity, and this handsomely designed space by Barr Joinery is proof. It features all the hallmarks of a home library: floor-to-ceiling bookcases, plush window seating, and an oversize chair with character that you can really sink into. Blue tones lend handsome flair, while providing a neutral backdrop to a collection of colorful bindings.

Equestrian-Themed Library

Wooden libraries and offices often get painted over, but there's something particularly noble and timeless about a mahogany library. "We kept the space from feeling too serious with a large horse portrait, which is a quirky play on a more traditional portrait you might have seen at one time," says Claire Staszak, owner of Centered by Design. "Sometimes flipping a traditional idea on its head can give a room its own personality and make it more memorable."

Monochrome Library

If you really love a hue, then why not embrace the color drenching trend and douse your library in it from top to bottom? Here, the pigment is blue—a soothing yet stately shade that's perfect for libraries, where the name of the game is to relax and unwind.

Decor-Filled Library

Libraries are for books first and foremost, of course, but they're also a great place to show off all the beautiful décor items you've accumulated over the years. This library balances a midcentury modern look with a bright, airy color palette, and opts for a shelving scheme with plenty of room for objects. You can use this layout to display plants, sculptures, or a particularly weighty coffee table book.

Anthropological Library

Some will fill their libraries with their favorite novels, while others will use it as a repository for research materials. If you fall into the latter, then embracing the academia vibe will perfectly match your collection of codexes and appendixes. A lighter color scheme, subtle patterns, and vintage prints are the way to go for this look.

Cookbook Library

Have you accumulated a large collection of cookbooks? There's a library for that too. Our founder consulted with California Closets to create this one-of-a-kind library for her many cookbooks—walking amongst the shelves is any chef's dream.

Antiquarian Library

Some books you can buy at any bookstore, while others are a bit pricier and harder to come by. If some of your tomes are antiques, then we suggest displaying them on a bookstand or something similar, so they can be better appreciated. Some similarly old-school vases make for the perfect shelf companions.

Children's Book Library

Not all libraries have to be terribly intellectual. Anyone with young ones at home has doubtless accumulated a large supply of picture books—so why not make a library out of it? With this theme, you can have a bit of fun with color, since the tomes themselves are more graphic and playful.

Moody Library

The dark academia trend is still all the rage, and it lends itself quite well to a home library. To get the look, try subtle but classic patterns in darker hues, line the shelves with timeless tomes, and add a bit of drama with classic artworks.

Green Reading Nook Library

A reading nook beneath a window is the perfect spot to relax with a good book. This particular example opts for a fresh green color that really elevates the space and makes its more neutral tones pop.

Fireplace Nook Library

There's no better place to read than cozied up by the fire. Even if it's just a smaller library nook, we love the idea of adding a few shelves next to a fireplace. This one is part of a small desk area, and blends a moody black color scheme with a dark green mantel.

Deskside Library

Not everyone has a private home office, but if you do, it's the perfect space for a library. Blue is a great color for this sort of space, and compliments a wide range of books and furniture. Add a few decorative objects to really take it to the next level.

Biophilic Library

Houseplants are an excellent addition to your home library. Bringing the outside in can make the space feel less spare and antiquated, instead adding another layer of color and texture.

Rustic Library

A library looks beautiful in any home, from city condo to country cabin. If your abode falls into the latter category, then opt for natural wood shelves and vintage furniture for a rustic-meets-chic theme.