Home library photos: Set #3

In my humble opinion, ladders in a home library are not just a necessity, but an element of design. They symbolize accessibility and, at the same time, relative obscurity of volumes that may be out of reach. Ladders, in this sense, can almost be considered a cataloging element!

























Bookstands are also essential. Not only they make it easier to work with books. They also protect them, and as you can very well see they form a stunning design element in an environment where most of the lines are at an 90 degree angle. A welcome distraction for the eye!

Most typically, you will see reference books placed on bookstands and lecterns. If you care about the condition of the book, it is a good idea to open different pages every once in a while, whether you are using the book or not. But you should most certainly avoid displaying valuable books in this manner.


You may not see it very well, but the floorlamps were designed specifically to be placed in a home library. The shades have imprints of antique book pages on them!

Antique books for your home library. What if you can't afford them?

If the design style that you have selected for your home library is reminiscent of old European chique I will be the first to congratulate you and commend your fine choice. However, this sort of home library requires that at least some books in your collection are capable of matching its style. If you are a knowledgeable collector it is unlikely that you will rush into buying dozens of old books just because they look old. After all, a library's ultimate function is to facilitate you in your studies or enhance the moments of leisure through reading. Besides, antique books are often pricey. You only should buy the ones you are interested in for any number of reasons. What to do? Are your nice baroque or Regency bookcases doomed to be empty for a while? You certainly won't fill them up with cheap paperbacks, right?

Here is an elegant solution.

A company called Paperblanks designs and sells personal journals that look like antique books, but only at a fraction of the cost! The binding of these journals makes them almost indistinguishable from antique leather bindings. The company makes it clear however, that they only use modern environmentally friendly materials. Granted, the number of designs they offer is somewhat limited, but with some variation and occasional interspersing of real antique editions you can very easily achieve the looks that would otherwise cost you thousands of dollars. Eventually you can replace these journals. And don't forget you can actually write in them! This separates them from solutions such as "fake" books.

Bookcases and shelves for home libraries: How to choose the right ones?

Home libraries often have additional features that enhance their look and functionality: creative light fixtures, ladders, various kinds of chairs, desks, paintings, statues etc. There is however one thing that a home library must have. Bookcases! Here are some pointers on choosing the right ones for you.

There is one problem that any experience book owner must be aware of. Sagging bookcases. One certainly wonders whether manufacturers assume that people who love books heavily prefer paperbacks. Because after a couple of years some book shelves begin to bend under the weight of even moderately sized hardcovers, never mind dictionaries and encyclopedias. What's the solution?

When buying bookcases for your home library make sure that the shelves are not too long. The shorter, the better. It is also best to choose hard wood. Short bookshelves may not look aesthetically pleasing. Note, however, that this can be very easily concealed with closed bookcases. As in the example above, the glass doors create a sense of continuity. Besides, they help keep the dust off the books.