FITTING A BOOKSHELF OR A FEATURE LIBRARY WALL

We asked interior designers for chapter and verse on creating beautiful and practical shelving for books

Our resident features writer is a fellow fan and here, Jenny Watson – interiors stylist, author and Victorian-terrace-dweller –waxes lyrical on the qualities of Victorian and Edwardian homes, and why they still reign supreme for modern-day living.

1. CONSIDER BUILDING BESPOKE Bespoke shelving has become increasingly popular as it can be curated to reflect your unique needs. ‘Bespoke furniture works with the architecture of your home to create seamless fixtures that feel like they are part of the room, rather than a piece that has been placed within it. It also helps a home feel more “designed”,’ explains designer Natalie Price.

In this space, the bookshelf design goes a step further, incorporating a hidden door that opens into a study. Covering the door means no inch of storage space is wasted, while also helping to achieve a cosy library-room aesthetic.

The alternative to bespoke shelving is to use freestanding designs, which offer flexibility and versatility. Either opt for a statement piece or create the built-in look by arranging a series of thin full-height units next to each other.

2. LOOK BEYOND THE LIVING ROOM

Bookshelves aren’t just for a living room or office; they offer a valuable addition to any space.

Here, the walls of a dining room have been given an injection of character with full-height shelves. Painted in a warm orange-red shade with neutral panelled backs, the shelves provide a space to display both books and decor.

When selecting a bookshelf, let your material choices be guided by the space the shelving will occupy. Wood is the traditional choice and will be well suited to a living room or hallway. However, metal designs can create an industrial look, perfect for more utilitarian schemes, while glass designs bring a minimalist, contemporary flair.

3. MAKE THE MOST OF UNUSED

Space

Even the smallest areas can become home to a bookshelf. Nooks,

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House & Home

alcoves and otherwise dead spaces can all benefit from the addition of characterful storage. This bookshelf maps the wall, making use of the space between the door and the window, then tracks over the door, creating the perfect space to house lesser-used books.

To avoid space-wasting gaps, measure your books and create different heights of shelving for paperbacks, hardbacks and coffee table books – shelves look best when they are an inch or two higher than the books they hold.

When space is tight, pair your bookshelf with a cupboard at the base to provide extra storage.

4. STYLE UP YOUR SHELVING

The way you dress the bookshelf will define the look and feel of your room. ‘Books are such an important part of a home, we love using them in our projects. Not only do they make a space feel lived in but they are a great way to introduce colour in a room,’ explains interior designer Kathy McGuinness, who created this space.

‘A picture-perfect bookcase is an art, and arranging them by colour looks good. We love to mix books with objects, lights, and even artwork; just ensure you don’t pack too much in when combining them with other objects.

It is important to create balance rather than necessarily aiming for total symmetry.’

5. ADD LAMPS TO YOUR

Bookshelf

A large bookshelf can become a dark blot in a room without good lighting to turn it into a feature at night. ‘A bookshelf is a great place to incorporate lighting into an interior.

We include layered lighting in our designs to create an inviting and moody atmosphere. This includes a combination of wall, table and overhead lighting – or indeed lighting attached to joinery.

For a bookshelf this size, we would typically include four lamps, often with coloured and patterned shades to draw the eye and inject a note of fun into the design,’ says Nic Gough, designer at Dalton Spire, who designed this room.