If you are an avid reader, one of your dreams is probably building your own private library at home. There is something magical about being surrounded by dozens of books and knowing that each one is a gateway to unfamiliar worlds.
It is not impossible, nor difficult to have a library at home. Look into loft conversion to turn an attic into a space solely for reading.
Benefits of a Home Library
Reading is increasingly becoming a rare hobby. In a world where screens are ubiquitous, people have lost the time or the ability to crack open a book and get lost in its pages for hours every day.
In 2017, a study found that a good book can only retain the attention of an average Brit for 15 minutes. After that, their concentration wanes and they start fiddling with their phones.
A quarter of those who were surveyed said that they cannot focus because they are busy multi-tasking. Meanwhile, 18% said they had no time to waste.
It is a shame that people no longer have the time nor the attention span to read a book. Reading offers a lot of benefits. Children, in particular, grow up smarter and kinder if they grow up surrounded by books at home.
Researchers in 2018 found that adults who spent their childhoods in homes that have a lot of books scored better in literacy, math, and using technology to communicate and for gathering/analyzing information.
Now that you know the benefits of having a home library, here’s how you can build and maintain one.
Buy Books
The most important step to building your own library is growing your collection. Your shelves would not look as good if it is half empty.
You do not have to spend thousands of pounds, though. Give second-hand bookstores a visit; there are plenty of them across the United Kingdom.
Do not fill your shelves with books that you have read and loved, either. Stock up on books that you want to read in the future. As the Italian novelist and philosopher Umberto Eco argued that unread books offer more value than books you have already read.
Moreover, have space for books that you would want to add to your personal library at some point, and do not hesitate to let go of books that you did not enjoy.
Arrange Comfortable Seating
Your library needs comfortable chairs. If you plan to spend hours of your days wrapped up in books, choosing the right chair should be a priority. Otherwise, you would suffer from muscle aches after sitting on a chair with little support.
If you have the budget, include multiple seating options.
Pay Attention to Lighting
Lighting, too, should be a priority. Bad lighting can cause eye strain and headaches.
During the day, you can rely on sunlight which is far kinder to your eyes than artificial lighting. At night, lighting should not be too bright. Day bulbs, as its name suggests, imitate natural daylight Day bulbs are ideal for reading or for other activities.
A lamp beside your favorite reading spot would be very useful for late-night reading sessions.
Figure out an organizational method that will make finding specific titles easier, or not have one at all. Your library does not have to be perfect. It should be like how you want it to be.
