Two words come to mind when plotting a new home library or reading nook: personalized comfort. No bibliophile in history has been content to read in discomfort, and creative minds are prone to elaborate construction. Whether you’re debating between bookshelf brands or seeking the perfect décor, look no further: this guide will break it all down.

The Bones

If you’re anything like me, you’re paralyzed by beginnings. What’s the first step? How do I organize the various pieces to this renovation? How do I know I’m going to like the end result? To efficiently approach these questions, I recommend starting with a basic list. First, give yourself a budget. If you’re planning to renovate a room in the house, paint and furniture are going to make up the majority of your spending. If you’re adjusting a library space you already have, focus on décor that will converge into a singular concept (e.g., a “rustic” concept can be suggested by weathered wood furniture, vintage décor, and a dark neutral palette). To better visualize your plan—and narrow your budget—draw out a scaled bird’s eye view of the room. Include measurements of each wall so it’s easier to determine which pieces will fit where.

What staple pieces do you need? Bookshelves, obviously, but that prompts more questions. Wall-to-wall bookshelves? Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves? Wood or MDF? With additional compartments for hidden storage? Will four beautiful cherry wood bookcases fit on one wall, or would you rather they fill the corner of the room? You can determine the amount of shelving you need based on the number of books that will be homed there (and how much extra space you’d like). Since the shelves will take up a lot of space in the room, color is an important decision—darker shelves will make the room more somber and intellectual, while white or light wood shelves can brighten a room that’s missing natural light. This specification will introduce you to your color scheme, which will ultimately shape the mood of the space.

When devising your color scheme, ask yourself how you want the space to make you feel. Use whites and neutrals to suggest cleanliness and modernity. Use dark shades for a sleek but mysterious atmosphere. Cool shades will conjure peace, while warmer colors tend to evoke happiness and confidence.

Seating is another imperative, and you can make your choices based on the people that will use the library. If it’s mostly for you, an overstuffed accent chair will do the trick. If it’s for the family, you can play around with a loveseat, a window seat, or even various assorted chairs. Make sure you find pieces with soft upholstery, because there are few things as frustrating as trying to get comfortable when you want to be deep in a book. If you choose to pair your seating with a rug, be careful to consider design—an intricately patterned rug will draw the eye, and complementary seating should be simply patterned or plainly colored.