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30 Beautiful Bookrooms

Thirty enticing settings for bookworms to luxuriate in.  A library need not just be a place to store books; it can be a relaxing hideaway, a place to entertain, or a setting to inspire.

View in slideshow or full list (below).  Enjoy!


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Full List

Library 3

Designers:  Nina Nash and Don Easterling of Matthews Furniture 

(1) Tailored lounge chairs, an upholstered window seat and ottoman, and French grey cabinetry make this light-filled room into a cosy and alluring bookroom.


Library 22

Design:  Rees Roberts & Partners (USA)

(2) A beautiful marriage of warm brown/grey and vibrant red/pinks set off this modern library-cum-dining room in a New York House.


Library 17a traditional-office-library-alison-martin-interiors-ltd-and-jean-perin-interior-design-virginia-201110_1000-watermarked
Library 17b (smaller) traditional-office-library-alison-martin-interiors-ltd-and-jean-perin-interior-design-virginia-201110_1000-watermarked

Photos:  Joshua McHugh

(3) Walls and cabinetry in a vibrant green with gold accents (not normally my cup of tea!) are a fitting backdrop for gilt-framed 19th century oils and mahogany furniture in the library of this Virginian farmhouse.  The reds of traditional soft furnishings and an antique Oushak rug provide pleasing contrast.  By designers Alison Martin and Jean Perin.


Library 7

Photograph: Steve Hall/Hedrich Blessing

(4) This transitional library combines traditional cabinetry and reclaimed wood panelling, with modern furnishings to give a casual and relaxed feel.   A dining table and chairs (out of shot) make this a comfortable space for entertaining.


LIbrary 16 contemporary-office-library-mr-architecture-decor-new-york-new-york-201202-2_320

Photo:  Nikolas Koenig

Library 2 (600x950)

Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

(5) The silk shades, velvet upholstery and neutral tones soften the strong lines of this beautiful contemporary Manhattan library/study designed by MR Architecture & Decor (USA).
(6) A gold lacquered ceiling and empire style chandelier provide contrast and a touch of French 1940s glamour to this Seattle home library.

Library 11 (Timothy Corrigan) (900)

(7) A beautiful traditional book room by California-based designer Tim Corrigan.


LIbrary 20
LIbrary 18 (Photo Guillaume Favre)

Photo:  Guillaume Favre

(8) Bookshelving becomes not just a feature but a dramatic focus in this double-height loft apartment.
(9) Double height ceiling and book shelves create an exhilarating sense of space, tempered by the calming view of greenery outside.  Design by Rodrigo Vargas.

Library 25a

Designer:  Jeanette Whitson

(10) The blue velvet tufted U-shape sofa closely matches Farrow & Ball’s deep, saturated Hague blue walls and cabinetry in this Nashville house.  The tented ceiling adds to the cosy. Wouldn’t want to settle in here with a good book.  Uh-uh.  No way.


Library 28
Library 27 (750 high)
(11) Designer Alessandra Branca uses wall-mounted, swing-arm sconces to showcase the book collection  and wash this rich and elegant area with an alluring glow.
(12) A light-coloured rug, armchair and accents lift the whole colour scheme in this handsome library.

Library 15

Photo: Tony Soluri

(13) Polished-mahogany panelling and bookshelves illuminated by attractive polished chrome sconces in this contemporary and eclectic reading room.   Biedermeier chairs provide a vantage point to view the cityscape.


Library 30b (552 high)-peacock-blue-walls-gambrel-0214-de
Library 30 a andy-warhol-silkscreen-print-gambrel-0214-de

(14)  Peacock blue-lacquered walls and cabinetry lend richness and depth to the book room in a Chicago Townhouse.  The desk and coffee table are 1960s French pieces.  Designer Steven Gambrel also designed the leather sofa and club chairs.  The silkscreen print is by Andy Warhol. (Featured in House Beautiful, Jan 2014)


Sophie Paterson Interiors 21-22/05/2014

(15) A Spanish villa is the setting for this study,  decorated and furnished in designer Sophie Paterson’s signature classic contemporary neutrals.


Library 8a (900x1153)
Library 8b (900x1153)

Photo:  Michael Robinson

(16) Contemporary study space features sleek grey cabinetry.  An eclectic mix of furnishings including an oak desk, a leather ottoman in slate grey and a Moroccan rug add texture.  What a shame they forgot the books!


Library 5 (878)

Photo: Scott Baker

(17) This modern black study features a custom desk with a glass-topped display area.  Light fixtures impart a soft, diffused glow.


Library 10a (Timothy Corrigan) (600x735)
Library 10b (Timothy Corrigan) (600x735)
Designer:  Timothy Corrigan

(18) This honey-coloured oak-panelled room with a oxblood marble Pompadour fire surround provides an elegant backdrop for designer Timothy Corrigan’s richly upholstered reading-cum-living room with Louis XV fauteuils and gently pooling curtains.


Library 6 (900)

Photo: Lisa Romerein

(19) A contemporary library in a saturated blue features a vintage Burl wood sofa and a rattan and brass framed armchair upholstered in blue leather.


Library 31
Library 32 (591 height)
(20) Beautiful pale blue-grey cabinetry sets off the warm wood and leather delightfully in this chic, classic and ever-so-charming library.

(21) Plump and cushy leather club chairs grouped around a round ottoman create a cosy and convivial atmosphere.


Library 9 (photo Tony Soluri)(900)

Photo: Tony Soluri

(22) Contemporary art and sleek upholstered furniture create an elegant transitional (ever-so-slightly-Deco) style in this mahogany-panelled book room.


Library 21a (716 high) contemporary-office-library-cesare-rovatti-rome-italy-201210_1000-watermarked
Library 21b contemporary-office-library-cesare-rovatti-rome-italy-201210-3_1000-watermarked

Photos: Oberto Gili

(23)  Designer Cesare Rovatti’s white leather sofas anchor the library in this Roman apartment. The drawing above the fireplace is by Pablo Picasso.



(24) Another green library with contrasting red accents, this lacquered wood-panelled room by Timothy Corrigan.


Library 1 (500x600)

Photo: Werner Straube

(25) A book room needn’t take up a whole room. This vaulted passageway is transformed into a cosy reading area.


Library 1c

Photo:  Durston Taylor

Library 1b Library space tucked into staircase, custom rug (Photo David O Marlow for Luxe) (874x1194).jpg

Photo:  David O. Marlow

(26) An armchair and reading table transform a bookcase on a bright and airy landing into an appealing reading corner.  Design: Cullman & Kravis Inc.
(27) Fitted cabinetry, a pair of 1960s Danish chairs and a custom rug tucked into the bottom of a bright and airy stairwell convert dead space into an inviting, if not altogether beautiful, reading area.

Library 23a
Library 4 white oak panelled double-height with metal upper balconym sofa from Hickory Chair (photo Peter Vitale for Luxe)

Photo:  Peter Vitale

(28) This library on a black metal upper balcony makes a dramatic statement in this modern double-height city loft apartment.
(29) A transitional white oak-panelled double-height library with a metal upper balcony with contemporary soft furnishings

Library 0 richard-keith-langham

(30)  Last but not least, my absolute favourite!    Traditional library by Richard Keith Langham interior design.  This relaxing and elegant mid-19th century style library in ‘book room red’ is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.


A House that has a Library has a Soul

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