Cushioned by words

Bibliophiles around the world have one thing in common — they find money sliding out of their fingers when a paperback from a favourite author or a special hardcover edition of a classic presents itself. At some point, these treasures collected over the years number in the hundreds, and are in need of a proper home. This is when a reading nook or a library at home can become not only a sanctuary for the home’s residents but also an expression of the owner’s personality.

From writers, designers to presidents, there are several personal libraries to look at for inspiration. Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling built his study with wall-to-wall book shelves in his Sussex home, the 17th century Bateman’s House. Virginia Woolf had her books lined behind her bed overlooking the garden at Monk’s House, an 18th-century cottage in village Rodmell in England. A few years ago, the Rashtrapati Bhavan restored their library from a cluttered pile of books to its past glory, giving a fitting space to the collection that includes several rare titles.

While your personal collection may not be of museum proportions, a personal library can still become the heart of the home, where statement décor pieces and a unifying colour scheme can complement the display. While most rooms can be used for creating a home library, there are some things to consider before placing a bookshelf. Big windows letting in heaps of natural light seems like the best reading spot, but natural light can be harmful for book storage. Also, rooms with heavy levels of humidity, such as attics and basements, should be avoided as they can cause mold and attract insects. Additionally, basements are susceptible to flooding damage.

The book area may not feature in the initial interior design of the home but can still be added later with interesting shelves. A TV/living area can be adorned with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves resting adjacent to a good reading chair and a sliding ladder for easy manoeuvring. A bookcase in the bedroom is perfect for those who like to combine rest and reading. Stairwell landings and unused rooms can also undergo a redecoration exercise to become reading spaces. Alternatively, if you’re ready to sacrifice a walk-in wardrobe or a hall cupboard, you can have a mini-library in the hallway, an area we’re always concerned about not using enough.

To preserve family treasures that books truly are, glass cases ensure protection against dust and mites, especially if your collection includes rare titles. One tip for making the most of shelf space is using adjustable bookshelves so that smaller books don’t take the space best reserved for taller coffee table books. Personal items such as photographs and souvenirs can help break the monotony of rows of books. Such additions also allow for extra space, as well as some creative freedom as your collection grows over the years.

Eventually a reading room can become a place for the entire family to unwind. For Supriya Anand, Founder — The Food Media Company, that space in her Noida home is the “happy room” filled with books. “We have a study with quintessential old English décor, complete with a fireplace that mainly pampered my father’s nostalgia for years spent growing up in Shillong. The books are now lined along the walls in the room where you will find everything from English classics to contemporary authors to of course the entire Harry Potter series. While my mother and brother are the voracious readers in the family, the room itself has become a space for all of us to sit together or by ourselves.”

If, like Jorge Luis Borges, you imagine Paradise to be a kind of library, then taking the time to create one at home will not only be a great way to showcase your interests, but also become the perfect spot to curl up in with your favorite book companion.

Ways to organise your collection

A library cataloguing software may not be required for every personal collection, but there are still ways to build sense around the arrangement of your books.

Alphabetizing by author seems to be the best way to start. While it may work well for fiction titles, it often isn’t the most convenient arrangement for non-fiction books on various subjects.

No bibliophile wants to be caught judging a book by its cover, but sorting according to color can be aesthetically pleasing for those who generally remember books by color.

An interesting way to make your display very personal is to arrange by chronology of acquiring them. This can be an almost autobiographical glimpse into your life through what you read at different times.

If, like most readers, your collection grows faster than your reading speed, arranging books by a priority list of unread titles upfront makes it easier to sort through when choosing your next book. There can also be a special section on the shelf that includes frequently referenced titles or favourite poets you devour daily.

Manika Dhamais a freelance writer based in Dubai

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