HOW DO WE IDENTIFY PEOPLE WITH DISCERNING taste? Perhaps we look to their art collection, the wines and spirits they reach for or the food they serve when they entertain. But don’t you also try to sneak a peek at their bookshelves?
Many of us accumulate books over the years—perhaps more than we know what to do with. If we’re smart we keep many of them shelved neatly in view, knowing that the colorful variety of their spines can be a visual treat. So why not make your books the star of a space? A library resplendent in built-in bookshelves will not only display your volumes; it will also create a serene getaway spot in which you can enjoy them.
Says Sun Ju Valenta, principal designer at Sun Valenta Design in Madison: “A dedicated library transforms
a home, offering more than just shelves—it creates a sanctuary. It’s a place to curl up with a favorite novel, dive into your work or enjoy quiet moments. Built-in shelves signal thoughtful design and add a touch of sophistica-tion to any space.”
How to make yours beautiful? Start with the shelves, advises Margo Gardner of Montclair’s Margo Gardner Interior Design. “There’s a warmth and coziness factor with built-in shelves that’s harder to achieve with free-standing bookcases,” she says. “Built-in shelves create a sense of permanence, history and stability. Plus, they can be totally customized to your storage needs.”
Not only your storage needs. Valenta suggests mak-ing shelving as beautiful as it is functional. “I enjoy a two-tone bookshelf,” she says. “Painting the interior a contrasting shade from the face frame adds warmth and
visual interest, while wallpapering the backs of the shelves lets you introduce pattern and personality.” Don’t skimp on lighting: “Integrated shelf lighting instantly elevates and draws the eye,” she says. “Add artwork, framed pho-tos and other decorative elements to break up the shelves and add personality.”
Other essentials, says Gardner, are “cozy seating, a gorgeous rug and accent tables for books and beverages.” Valenta agrees that comfortable seating is key, adding that “a cozy armchair, a reading nook or a small sofa invites lingering. Add a throw, a planter and cushions for warmth.”
There is a cost involved, of course, and some effort, and one quickly learns the quantitative limits of a specific set of shelves. But the surface that holds your books in view does double duty—it’s handy storage and an appealing visual array, all in one. How is that not a win-win?