How to Create the Perfect Small Cozy Home Library

A cozy library is a great way to enjoy books. You can have a space where you can curl up and read a book anytime you want.

Even if you have a small living space, you can find a way to create a small cozy home library to help you to enjoy your favorite books.

Book lovers don’t need to have lots of space to create a nice spot for reading. You can have a cozy library in your bedroom, steal a corner of your living room, or just make use of a wide entryway.

While I’m sure all book livers dream of a wall of books, if that isn’t possible in your space don’t worry about it, you can still create your dream home library.

Let’s dive into the essentials needed to create your small cozy home library.

Essentials for Your Small Home Library

Whatever it is that you like to do when enjoying a book, you need to have the right tools for it. You need to have a comfortable chair, good lighting, soft pillows, and blankets for reading.

A comfortable chair that fits you perfectly can help you relax while reading. Plus pillows are great to rest your head and shoulders on while you are reading and prevent muscle aches and cramps when the book is so good you just can’t put it down.

Pick The Place For Your Home Library

It could be tucked away in a small corner of a room, part of an entryway or under some stairs. Where ever you decide to put your home library, make sure you know the size before you start purchasing items to make it the perfect reading spot.

Chairs

You may be tempted to just sit on the couch or recliner, but a dedicated chair is so much better.  Especially if it’s been set up for reading with a lamp nearby.

Plus you can make sure to get a chair that will fit into the area you have available.

Pillows

Pillows can make all the difference in transforming a space that is bare and unwelcoming into cozy and comfortable. 

Choose pillows that are soft and fluffy and not too big. Look for pillows that are firm enough to support your head and shoulders, but soft enough to not cause you any pain. You can also try and find pillows with a removable cover for added comfort and to easily mix up the decor style.

Blankets

A good blanket is essential for creating a nice reading environment. You should consider having one for every season.

For example, you can have a light blanket in the summer and a thick blanket for warmth in the winter. Because when you’re sitting for long periods of time it’s easy for your hands and feet to get cold.

Table

If your space allows for it, consider getting a side table to go next to your chair.

Even if it’s only big enough to hold a drink, being able to enjoy a beverage while you read can really add to the comfort of your cozy reading nook.

Lighting

Readers should be sure to have enough light for reading. A reader can usually feel the difference between having too little or too much light. You don’t want to strain your eyes while enjoying your latest book purchase.

When choosing lighting for your home library, keep in mind what type of lighting works best for the type of book you plan to read and if you have an natural light to help.

Reading lamps are usually placed directly above the reader’s eyes. They allow you to see clearly without straining your eyes from the glare of overhead lights. Though if you’re only option is a floor lamp you can use smart bulbs to help reduce glare.

These bulbs save energy and they last longer than traditional bulbs. You can control the brightness of the bulbs using an app.

Bookcase or Book Shelf

When you don’t have a ton of space, make sure you’re making the most of vertical space.  If you don’t, you may end up with a cluttered space, not very conducive to finding the next book in the series you’re reading.

If you don’t have a ton of space, you can hang shelves up higher and place books on the shelves. 

You can also build a bookcase for your books. If you have a bookcase, make sure you are maximizing the space on the bookcase.

Alternatively, you can also use a table to store books or a wooden crate that fits under your chair.

Bookmarks

Bookmarksare useful for keeping your place while you are reading. They are helpful for marking pages, and highlighting passages.

You can use scrap paper for a bookmark, but if you want a luxe feel in your cozy home library, consider purchasing a bookmark that is beautiful and speaks to you and the books you like to read.

Notebook

If you want to keep a record of your reading progress, you can use a notebook for this purpose. It is also useful for taking down ideas and making them into actionable tasks. Or if you’re like me, keeping a running list of books you want to get to read next.

You can also use your notebook to store book receipts and keep track of your book budget.

No Screens

if you have a small living space, make sure you maximize the space you have for reading by removing any unnecessary devices that might distract you, like a TV or radio.

This includes smart phones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices.

You can always bring these items out when you need to do something else.

Digital Reader Charger or Drawer

If you like to read with an eReader like a Kindle, then having a designated spot in your reading nook for it to charge can be very handy.

This can be as simple as using an old power strip to plug into a wall outlet and attach the cord to your side table.

If you want to get fancy, you can also use a dedicated charging dock for your eReader. You can find these docks at places like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, but they tend to cost around $20 each.

How to Arrange and Design Your Small Home Library

As you are creating your small home library, you should first decide what books you want to keep and what books you want to get rid of. You should keep only the books that speak to you and the books that you’d like to read. The fewer books you decide to keep in your reading space, the less cluttered it will look.

You may decide that you only want to keep a selection of your book collection in your reading area and the rest stored in a separate room on a bookcase, in a storage closet, or storage bench.

Now that you know what books you’ll have, along with the type of chair, lighting, and other odds and ends, it’s time to put it all together.

Draping your blanket over the back of your comfy chair is a simple way to keep the area neat while looking cozy and welcoming.

Having a dedicated spot on a table or bookshelf to place the book you’re currently reading or your eReader, will also help to make the home library more enjoyable.

Be sure you also take time to decorate the space with art or vinyl decals that showcase your love of reading on the wall.

If you choose to use a bookcase as part of the library in your house, consider sprinkling decor so it doesn’t look bare or bursting with books. 

Finally, consider adding some paint as a feature wall and adding a nice rug to the floor to further pull focus to the library you’ve created.

If you’re struggling with library ideas, consider checking out Pinterest to get some ideas on how you might like to set up your library in your house.

Bottom Line

 Start with a small area where you can have a reading corner or a reading nook. It can be as simple as a small bookshelf and a cozy chair. But this is where you can have your reading corner.

Add in more comforts and decor as you go to make it more of a statement piece and an enjoyable place to read.

Related: How to Create a Children’s Reading Nook