Bring Books to Life with a Small Home Library

There’s just something about a home library that speaks to me.  I love reading and collecting books that I can recommend and share with family and friends.  And it’s such a bonus to have one of the best independent bookstores in the country, Northshire Book Store, right here in our small Vermont town.  You may also visit the bookstore online and enjoy the experience of our very own Vermont independent bookstore, where I have met authors like John Grisham, Erik Larson, and Jodi Picoult.  Such a local treasure and the root of my inspiration to create our very own small home library.

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Home libraries don’t need to be extravagant.  Our Vermont home is not large, it’s actually very small in size.  However, it does have a sunroom off the master bedroom that comes with wall-to-wall built-ins. A perfect room to create a cozy, small home library.  I hope today’s home library inspires you, friends!

I came upon this poster of Richard Feynman while working at Apple Inc. as an Education Account Executive a few years ago.  And while antiquing in Rhode Island, I found this antique wooden frame with its authentic metal nameplate.  They were a match made in heaven.  The poster is from a series issued by Apple Inc. in 1998 as part of their “Think Different” marketing campaign.  I decided to make this the focal point of the home library.

 I adore the look of art and framed pictures hanging on bookshelves. They add such a brilliant character. Richard Feynman (1918-1988) was one of our time’s great scientists and physicists, so I felt like this was a perfect fit to be displayed as the room’s focal point.

I had our books turned around in the past so that the pages vs. the spine were showing.  And I loved the look.  However, I thought in recreating this small home library it was time to turn the books back around.  It added so much more color to the room this way.  And do I dare say more of a “messy and cluttered” look…  Which is what I was going for.  When I envision home libraries, I think of papers scattered, books open, computer devices, cozy reading nooks, and natural elements.  A place to curl up and enjoy learning.

I am definitely what one would call a “lifelong learner”.  I enjoy learning new things and reaching out of my comfort zone.

I enjoy all kinds of books, with my favorites being historical non-fiction and a great psychological thriller.

I luv how books create a warm and inviting appearance when they are stacked randomly and out of order.

Pillows, blankets, and all the cozy deets are also musts for our small home library.

Keeping with the “messy, cluttered, and cozy” theme, we welcome a basket of Ella’s dog toys…

In this photo too, you can see the look of books on the bookshelves with the pages facing outward.  A before shot.

You may also find inspiration in this Vintage Bookshelf Decor: Thrifty Vignettes post.

In the post, Season Sunroom Makeover with Grand Mountain Views, you may enjoy this sunroom’s recent transformation.

And secondly decorated in the post, Sunroom Home Office Inspiration: Triple Purposed with Craft Space.

Find more inspiration in this Decorating with Vintage Books: 20+ Ideas to Try post.

See this space today in the Sunroom Home Office Inspiration: Triple Purposed with Craft Space post.