Book Nooks

Stylish storage ideas for your beloved classics

How many books you have in your home has been a hot debate ever since tidyingexpert and bestselling author Marie Kondo suggested on her Netflix show that 30 books was a good number to keep a spare, uncluttered look. Book lovers were, to say the least, outraged at the suggestion.

Of course, book storage is often an issue in the home, especially if you live in a small space. Our friends at Candler Park-based Balance Design (balancedesignatlanta.com) have some unique and stylish solutions for housing your precious collection. If your reading materials are getting out of control, the Balance Design team suggests making the storage solution part of the presentation.

Whether you’ve got enough space to build your own custom library, or need something a little more compact, your bookshelves don’t have to be boring.

Book Nook

Sometimes you just want a spot to steal away and lose yourself in a good book. Such was the case for a Balance Design client in the historic Druid Hills neighborhood. The upstairs landing was the perfect spot for a cozy reading nook, complete with a custom built-in for her collection of books. A mid-century chair and ottoman atop a colorful sari silk rug inspired the client to arrange her books by color, creating a cheerful rainbow effect.

Space Saving

We wouldn’t ordinarily tell you to keep your books on a staircase, but there’s no danger of tripping over them in this design that uses the protruding edges as shelves. This staircase/bookshelf is clean, modern, space saving, and honestly pretty genius.

Whimsical

If you’ve got the height, a ceiling bookcase is whimsical and orderly all at once, keeping the daily workspace free of clutter while creating a magnificent focal point. This is author and photographer Wade Davis’ writing studio.

Minimalism

Minimalists, do you struggle to find a way to store your books that doesn’t make your head want to explode? These floating shelves are symmetrical and geometric, and don’t involve stacks and stacks of visual clutter. You can build them yourself, too, or buy something similar at IKEA.

Non-Linear

Then again, maybe you like a little non-linear fun! This mandala bookcase is part storage solution, part full wall art, and all awesome. You can try your DIY skills and build some to fit your space.

Live on the Park!

This 1930’s brick charmer is right across from Sydney Marcus Park and 2 blocks to the Beltline! Flooded with natural light, this home is graced with high ceilings, period moldings, French doors & gleaming hardwood floors. Great floorplan with master on the main. Brand new screened-in rear porch for alfresco dinners & relaxation. Professionally landscaped, fenced backyard. It doesn’t get better than this!

The Library Chair

It’s a lounge chair, it’s a bookcase, it’s the perfect all-inclusive reading nook! Don’t let the small footprint fool ya — this guy packs 27 square feet of storage space (plus a hidden compartment). It’s available on Etsy from Alexander Love Designs for $2,950.