If you’re currently considering custom building your dream home, one room that may be on your list is a custom home library. Libraries–especially for bookworms–can be more than just a room with books, often they become sanctuaries with a collection of some of your favourite things in the world. First editions, family heirlooms, or even just your favourite book in the world all deserve a place to call home and to be admired. Enjoy everything that the wonderful world of reading has to offer with a custom home library; here’s some inspiration to get you started.

Built-in Shelving
When building your own custom home library, built-in shelving is a no-brainer. If you have the size and the space, incorporating bookshelves into your walls will give your library a very strong and cohesive look reminiscent of libraries from a fairy tale. No wallpaper can look as beautiful as the stunning look of a room lined with your most beloved books.

Traditional Mahogany Shelving
If you’re going to do a custom home library, we think you should do it right! Meaning creating a stunning traditional library with deep, rich, and warm mahogany for the shelving, the flooring, and any other ornate details. Mahogany isn’t just durable, timeless, and beautiful, it also gives a sense of sophistication, class, and opulence to your room. With mahogany wood, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to Sherlock Holmes’ library or a library found in a castle.

Sliding Ladders
Sliding ladders that are installed on a track along your bookshelves aren’t just functional, they’re also absolutely beautiful. They’re a great idea because they give you the ability to reach books that are high-up on your shelves without having to take out a bulky or unsightly step stool or step ladder. Give your library a sense of warmth, and a timeless aesthetic with sturdy mahogany ladders, you’ll be so happy that you did.

A Fireplace
Who wouldn’t love to cozy up in front of a fireplace in their very own custom home library? Adding a fireplace to a library–so long as it has plenty of space for ventilation– with a few comfortable armchairs can elevate the space from being just nice to the most popular place in the house. With a fireplace in your library, you can sink into a big, cozy chair warmed by an ambient fire and immerse yourself in the world of your favourite book.

A Bar
Whether you’re enjoying your books alone or you’re inviting a friend to visit your library, having some simple, staple drinks on hand is always a plus. A small bar in your library can make your room feel so much more inviting, cozy–and of course–fun! Reward yourself after a long day at work with a classic drink and a classic book.

Glass Displays
If you have a sizable library collection, you most likely have one or two books that are either very expensive or very sentimental. Maybe it’s a book from your childhood, or maybe it’s a book signed by the author, or (if you’re a big collector) it’s a first-edition classic. Regardless of what book means the most to you, protecting them and displaying them behind glass will help to emphasize their importance and keep your most precious books safe.

A Second-Floor or Loft
Imagine your beautiful collection of books reaching over two stories, giving the illusion of a library that goes on forever! Choosing to have a two-story library is every bookworm’s dream, and it can be achieved more easily than you’d think. Let the experts at Omega help you make a fairytale library by making it a two-story work of art!

Big, Beautiful Windows
Anyone who loves to read knows that great lighting is very important to reducing eye strain and creating a more comfortable reading experience. While great in-home lighting can be very comfortable for a reading environment, there’s nothing quite like natural sunlight coming into your library. Big, bright, and beautiful windows in your library will allow you to read with great lighting, while also having a view of your beautiful Canadian backyard.

A Balcony
Especially if you choose to have a two-storey custom home library, a balcony is one of the most luxurious features that you can include. Huge, double french doors leading onto a stone balcony reminiscent of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet will make your home feel like a castle. Place flowers like roses and ivy on the balcony along with comfortable seating like a swing or a lounge chair for the full royal effect.

An Alcove
You may want to have a desk in your library to study, read, write, and be creative. Instead of having a desk in the middle of the room, instead, choose to carve out a small alcove with a designated desk area. This will make your desk and chairs feel more intentional and cohesive with the room’s overall design.

A Taste for the Finer Things
Overall, if you’re going to take the plunge and have a custom home library in your new house, we recommend that you indulge in the finer things in life. Make your library a sanctuary with only the finest woods, fabrics, textiles, and furniture. This will make your library look and feel so much more luxurious, and the design will always be timeless. Tasteful opulence is always a good look for a room as decadent as a library.

Design and build the custom library of your dreams with Omega Homes.
Your dream home is just a phone call away!

About Omega
We don’t just build you a house, we build you a home. We assemble the top architects, designers, and trades personnel to work in conjunction with our experienced and licensed staff in order to make your dream home a reality. As a Tarion Custom Home Design-Builder, we feel it is our responsibility to be adaptable to each client’s individual needs. There’s no job we can’t handle, and we will do whatever it takes to meet your requests with high-quality results. Our architects and designers are always looking for new and exciting challenges, so the only limit is your imagination.

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