Elevate your home library with these expert ideas

3. Storage Needs

Komal suggests evaluating storage needs before choosing a bookshelf. Whether one needs open shelves for display, closed cabinets for a clean look, or a combination of both must be clear. “This decision affects the functionality. The depth and height of the shelves should be suitable for the size of your books and any decorative items you plan to showcase.”

One must also consider the type of books to store and the kind of storage unit, ensuring it is long-lasting, maintenance-free and expandable. “You should also evaluate if it can be used for multiple purposes, and if you are able to reach it easily. For this design, we conducted a brief survey of the type of books kept,” shares architect Shruti Mysore Vedavyas. “We also designed it in a way so that portions of the planks can be removed, if necessary, to accommodate larger coffee table books in the future.”

STYLING YOUR BOOKSHELF

1. Group them Well

Simply stacking books is passé; instead, try and sort them out in different ways. For instance, if someone has a lot of books, you can arrange them by colour to create a visually striking appearance. Another option is to sort them alphabetically. This method is not just interesting but makes finding the book much easier. In case you have fewer books, group them into sets of four or five and spread them out across different parts of the bookshelf.

Annah likes to add books by category—be it art, history, design, fiction, or biographies, among others. “I place books both horizontally and vertically. Often, I check the process by walking away from it to see if there's balance.
 

Ashni Tapuria Shah of TCG Studio, agrees. “By including personal collectibles, some greenery for freshness and objects collected from travels, a regular bookshelf is upgraded into a showcase of the client’s personality.”

MORE BOOK STORAGE IDEAS

1. Beyond traditional bookshelves, consider floating shelves for a modern, minimalist look, says Komal. “Corner shelves are another great option, especially for making the most of the room's corners while adding a unique design element.”
   
   
2. Apart from shelves, books can be aesthetically kept in wooden crates, vintage suitcases or chests adding a touch of nostalgia. Books can also be arranged on leaning ladders to add creativity, says Sagar.
   
   
3. Have a secret mezzanine of books where one can curl up and escape the world. “Book storage in unexpected places like under the stairs with cosy seating, or above a bed that you can reach into, nestled within the wall for a good night-time read, is always fascinating,” says Shruti. “As part of a few projects, we have used bookshelves as walls to divide spaces, and as partitions between living rooms and family rooms.”