interior trends

First it was the death of the dining room. With our hunger for open plan living, we no longer needed a separate room for entertaining our dinner guests, so we converted our old dining rooms into playrooms, teen hangout dens, even home offices. But there’s a growing new trend out there which I think is fabulous… it’s the return of the Library Room.

Along with the growing popularity of a separate pantry and the ever coveted boot room, it’s another sign that our home interiors are increasingly reflective of a time gone by. As an antidote to the technology-driven world we live in, our homes have become our havens and we crave a more organic, wholesome, environment to live in. Along with the all-connected, technology-abundant open plan living spaces we have created, there’s a growing need to escape from it. And how better than with a good old book!

A dedicated library room or corner can be a place to escape screens and social media, but equally it can be a peaceful spot to work, away from the noise and bustle of the main living areas. And best of all, it’s not a difficult concept to create in your home. All you need is a spare section of wall, an unused corner or, if you’re one of the lucky few, an unused dining room!

Here are some wonderful library rooms to inspire you…

1. Midcentury Cool

US designer Jenny Komenda has created this stunning library in her home in Arizona, using layered rugs for cosy texture, along with midcentury modern furnishings and built-in white bookshelves to keep the room fresh and bright. Another trick seen here is stacking books both ways and interspersing them with ornaments and vases to prevent the shelves from becoming too heavy and overwhelming.

2. Traditional + Cosy

This cosy library makes the most of a dark room, with shelving built into the alcoves and traditional, comfortable furnishings arranged around a vintage rug. I could while away many a Sunday afternoon in here!

Painting the walls, fireplace surround and woodwork in the one shade of inky blue gives it a warming ambience and allows the patterned accessories, rug and shelf displays to stand out. For a similar colour, try Little Greene Royal Navy or Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue.

3. Library corner

Even where space is limited, you can create a library corner such as this one, seen in a Swedish home. Keep the display considered and the backdrop light in order to make a statement of your book styling. It can also double up as a home workspace area and would be the perfect library room solution on a hallway or landing corner.

4. Modern Reading Room

This modern home features a library wall built in around a large doorway between two living areas. The central doors can be shut to close the library room off from the adjoining kitchen area and create a cosy ambience for reading and relaxing. I’m also totally coveting a rolling ladder!

5. Thrifty Library

Creating a library room in your home needn’t be an expensive project. The folks at IKEA have it sussed with affordable shelving solutions that are just the ticket for storing and displaying any size of book collection. You can even ‘IKEA hack’ them to resemble bespoke designed shelving, however with a carefully curated display of books as seen below, it can look fab.

6. Industrial Shelving Solution

This room features a library wall designed with industrial style shelving, constructed from reclaimed metal piping and scaffold boards. This look is perfect for a more eclectically themed home, however is definitely one for the more adventurous DIYers amongst you! I love it against the exposed brick wall.

Do you have a library room or corner in your home or would it be a feature you’d consider when renovating or redecorating? I’d love to know!

K xx