Quite a few people prefer having a whole room in their home as a library. Although for some, the very idea of a book collection may seem quaint, as thousands of ebooks can be stored in the memory of a mobile device. It’s a great place to have some peace and quiet, and it can function as a home office and as a study hall for the children.
When you’re looking for real estate listings in Toronto and you want a library, you’ll need to see the floor plan to find a possible area in the home where you can create one. You don’t need a large house either. Here are some tips that can help:
Catalog Your Books
You’ll want accurate information on just how many books you own so you can provide ample space for all of them—and for new books in the future as well. Lucky for you there are plenty of free book catalog apps that can help you with this. Many of them input the information into your database automatically when you just scan the books barcode.
If you have plenty of books, a floor to ceiling setup for your bookcase may be necessary. But if you don’t really have many books yet, you can opt for a modern look by using open shelving. You should make sure your shelves are strong enough to hold the books. A professional carpenter can be very helpful here.
Location and Layout
If it’s possible to sue a single room for your library, then you can do that. But if it’s on a higher floor, you need to consult a contractor to make sure that the floor can handle the weight of the books. You may not realize this, but numerous books together can be rather heavy. That’s why most libraries are on the ground floor or basement. If there’s no single room available, you can just pick a spot where it isn’t loud and where the foot traffic is much less.
Then you need to figure the seating. Make sure that you have at least as many chairs as there are people in your home who are liable to come into the library. If you only have a few people in the house, then a few comfortable overstuffed chairs will do. Have enough for some guests as well. Then put up a table and you’re good.
If you’re using this for your home office too, then you need to check what space is available for your office equipment. You’ll need room for your PC and monitor, along with your printer.
Lighting and Colors
Traditional libraries tend to use a lot of brown, green, and burgundy colors. But nowadays it’s more important to cater to your own preferences. So pick the colors that help you to relax while you still remain alert. Just remember that you’re here to read and not to take a nap!
As for lighting, try to make use of sunlight as much as possible. Put in a large window so you can still see the outside especially if you’re right beside your garden. Then have side table lamps for your chairs, while your overhead lighting should come with a dimmer.
You may also want some accent lighting for your wall paintings. Decorating the walls of the library can be fun. Some people display large photos of their favorite authors, while others have enlarged book covers framed on their walls.
A library is a great concept that implies sophistication and a love of learning. It’s terrific for families with kids as well. Have one in your home and you won’t regret it.
