It is often said that a house which has a library in it has a soul. Having a dedicated reading room at home or even a personal nook is the dream of every avid reader. From majestic teakwood bookshelves and wall-to-wall cabinets to cosy corner spaces and window nooks, creating a literary haven is a much-cherished project for every bibliophile.
“In today’s fast-paced world where people are bombarded with content, reels, news and information, some relevant and mostly otherwise, the book world provides a refuge where you can slow down and unwind,” says Anupriya Subbian, Cofounder, Triple O Studio. “It is thus a great idea for every home to have a space like a study nook, a library or even a reading corner that can truly become a sanctum for both knowledge and leisure.”
The idea of having a dedicated library space has grown significantly in today’s homes. As people spend more time indoors and place greater importance on comfort, wellness and mindful living, there is a clear shift towards creating quiet, personal corners that offer a sense of calm. “It is no longer just about storing books. These spaces are becoming thoughtfully designed spots that feel warm, intentional, and inviting. Some opt for a full library wall, while others make use of a sunny window corner with built-in shelves and soft lighting,” says Minnie Bhatt, founder of Minnie Bhatt Designs. “The goal is the same: to create a cosy, comfortable space that encourages you to relax. A well-designed reading nook adds depth, personality, and a sense of balance to a home. It is functional, emotionally grounding, and often becomes one of the most loved spaces in the house.”
Some of the key elements for designing a library space at home include functional storage for the books, comfortable seating, lighting, and good ventilation. The addition of soft materials like rugs, curtains, or upholstery helps absorb sound and adds character to the space. “If you are starting from scratch, then the best way is to build bookcases with glass fronts to protect the books from dust and dirt. Install them on the walls around the room, add a few armchairs in the middle, throw in a rug and a coffee table, and you are all set,” says Manjul Misra, former journalist and home decor enthusiast. Personal elements such as art, family photos and travel souvenirs will make the space feel truly lived-in. “To infuse personality, layer in decorative bookends, handmade ceramics, or framed photographs,” adds Bhatt. Also, avoid lining everything up in one flat plane. “Layer books with objects of different heights — perhaps a stack of books paired with a small sculpture or a candleholder. It adds rhythm and visual interest,” says Kirti Dodeja, founding designer of the eponymous design studio.
Here is a look at some diverse library spaces — from alluring nooks self-designed by home décor enthusiasts to elaborate architect-designed rooms.
Triple O Studio, Chennai
The wallpaper with the vintage cupboard brings warmth to the study space.
| Photo Credit:
Pixels by Binsan
This ingeniously designed library space in a Chennai home accommodates close to 800 books in a 75 sq.ft. space. “The entire storage is built-in and crafted in an off-white tone with glass shutters. This gives the space a visually light appearance. Further, all shutters were made handle-less, adding to the seamless aesthetic,” says Subbian. This cleverly designed space epitomises functionality in a limited area. An arched built-in study ledge has been integrated around the window with storage units, making it a perfect nook for reading or even board games. An antiquated wooden bookshelf that supplements storage, wicker chairs, and a flamboyant Jaipur forts-inspired wallpaper serve to break the monotony of the muted hues.
Vasudha Somayaji, Bengaluru
The bookshelf in Vasudha Somayaji’s library.
| Photo Credit:
Vasudha Somayaji
Vibrant, functional and aesthetic. These adjectives best describe home décor enthusiast Vasudha Somayaji’s library in her Bengaluru home. “My library is about 6 by 6 feet; being avid readers, we have collected many books varying from children’s literature, non-fiction and fiction over the years. The solid wood bookshelf adds a sense of warmth and is central to the space. While some shelves have books arranged according to the colour of the cover, one shelf is dedicated to only Kannada books, while another one is for books that are still unread. This way I can easily access what I want,” says Somayaji.
She further adds that she has a small chair and a rug to sit on and read leisurely, apart from a table and chair to do some serious reading. The bookshelf is styled using a plethora of collected artefacts. Think masks, figurines, baskets and a host of potted plants and fresh foliage; all of which lend a tactile contrast and a layered, curated look.
Manjul Misra, Kolkata
Brick walls add rustic charm in Manjul Misra’s library.
| Photo Credit:
Manjul Misra
The den-cum-library in this Kolkata apartment is a lesson in eclectic design. “It is the fourth bedroom of our flat that we decided to convert into an informal space to relax in. The two wooden vintage bookshelves belong to my grandfather. They hold a lot of sentimental value for us, and hence we worked around them to create a space replete with nostalgic vibes,” says Misra. Real brick cladding on all four walls of the room exudes an earthy, rustic charm. An Obeetee rug, a planter chair, mix-and-match furniture pieces, lamps and elegant soft furnishings complete the look. Plenty of greens and figurines of birds picked up from all over, add the right pop of colour to the space.
Minnie Bhatt Design, Mumbai
Ceramics and other artefacts add character to the asymmetrical bookshelf.
| Photo Credit:
Prashant Bhat
This library corner in a Mumbai home is part of a larger living space and brings together clean lines with earthy textures. At the heart of it is an asymmetrical, sculptural bookshelf with a bronze-toned metal frame, styled with a balanced mix of books, ceramics, and artefacts, which creates an artistic, almost gallery-like feel. “A wooden hanging swing in an oval shape adds a casual and sculptural touch. The seating includes a light blue wooden-framed sofa with textured cushions and a deep blue accent chair, paired with layered round coffee tables in wood and marble,” says Bhatt. Natural wood rafters overhead, a woven rug underfoot, leafy plants, and African tribal baskets on the wall bring depth and texture. The overall look is relaxed, coastal, and thoughtfully personal.
Kirti Dodeja, Goa
The window sill was customised to align with the study table, allowing uninterrupted views of the greenery outside while maintaining ergonomic ease.
| Photo Credit:
Rohit Ganguly
The library-cum-study space in this Isprava villa in Goa is all about function, rhythm and the power of storytelling in design. “The room itself is quite narrow, but we used that as an advantage by lining the entire length of one wall with a deep blue library unit, turning it into a striking visual feature. Despite the compact footprint, the natural light flooding in transforms it into a warm and uplifting space. The flooring is wood-look tile, not real wood — selected specifically for Goa’s climate and its ability to withstand humidity,” says Dodeja. She also adds that the deep blue hue was extended across the dado height of the adjoining walls to create a sense of cohesion. The window sill was customised to align with the study table, allowing uninterrupted views of the greenery outside while maintaining ergonomic ease. Bookends shaped like a tiger’s head and tail, and a quirky little artefact that ‘hangs out’ from the shelf add a playful touch to the space.
Studio Saransh, Ahmedabad
A library space by Studio Saransh.
| Photo Credit:
Ishita Sitwala
Deep and dominant wood tones make this home library in Ahmedabad a cohesive and visually appealing space. “The study area, done up in the Brutalist architectural style, establishes its own relationship with the trees outside through uninterrupted double-glazing glass partitions that allow natural daylight without additional heat gain. Furniture pieces in the space are crafted using ethically sourced Valsadi teak wood. This beautifully complements the concrete plank pattern leather finish kota flooring,” says Kaveesha Shah, associate partner, Studio Saransh. The stately-looking bookshelf has a simple, modular design to accommodate the owner’s growing collection of books. With a beautiful green view on the west as the backdrop, the space enjoys a sunset view every day while looking into the house’s double height light feature.
Styling recommendations
Artefacts: West Elm, House of Things, Nestasia, Rangeela in Goa
Bookends: Nicobar, Pepperfry, Ikiru
Lamps: Fabindia, Amazon, Hatsu, Fig Living, LMNOH
Rugs: Jaipur Rugs, Obeetee
Bookshelves: IKEA, Urban Ladder, Wooden Street
Chairs: IKEA, Green Soul, Godrej Interio
The Bengaluru-based freelance writer is passionate about all things design, travel, food, art and culture.
