Design Ideas

How books influence your home design, room by room

February 26, 2013

Even if books don't have the decorative influence of something like hardwood flooring, they can still play a significant role in your home design.

What do books have to offer when it comes to home or room design? Well there's certainly a slew of them that have been written on the subject. But what about books themselves, as objects? When it comes to home decor, larger features will always reign supreme in their influence. For instance, hardwood flooring like the boards in Anderson Floors' Eagle Lodge collection are a defining statement in any home. These engineered planks made from oak are hand-scraped and constructed with unparalleled care and character. But even though books don't have the decorative influence of something like hardwood flooring, they can still play a significant role in your home design. Consider how books alter a space, room by room.

Kitchen
Chances are, you won't be storing too many books in your kitchen that aren't intrinsically tied to the culinary arts. If you've gone for a cozy, coffee shop vibe in your eat-in space with a sofa and ottoman or side table, you might want to consider installing a small book shelf with a few novels as comfortable as an armchair. But for the most part, your library for this space will consist of cookbooks. Show these off by letting them share shelf space with your dishware and glasses. Why not use a tea kettle as a bookend?

Living room
You'll probably decorate your living room with a few bookshelves here and there, but you'll find that books themselves serve another great purpose in this space. Whatever happens to be on your coffee table will say a lot about you, your interests and your home design. Most people don't leave novels out for perusing but stick to larger volumes, filled with impressive photography or classic paintings. What you choose - from photography of the National Parks to the drawings of Egon Schiele - will help set a tone not only for the room but your overall aesthetic.

Bedroom
Most folks get their reading done before bed, so it's understandable that books play a central role in any bedroom layout. Instead of typical bookshelves however, why not try something new and original? Shelves built into wall corners or close to the ceiling are both great ideas.

As author Anna Quindlen once famously quipped in the New York Times, "I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."  

Anderson Reader

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