Our homes are a reflection of our personalities, habits and what we value and enjoy. If you're the extroverted type that loves to entertain a crowd, then your living room area, dining room area or outdoor area would probably be where you would focus. Setting up all the right amenities so you can host family and friends long into the night.

But what about those who are more introverted, those who like to spend time enjoying peace and quiet? Their homes would indeed have some way of catering to their past times, right?

If you're a bit of a bookworm, you'd likely dream of having a dedicated space where you can get away from it all, escape into the pages of your next novel and enjoy all the comforts of modern living. Perhaps life got in the way of that dream, or you haven't had the time to pursue it, or you simply need a little motivation; then we're here to help you. 

Do you love to read? Do you dream of having a cosy reading nook or library in your home? If so, you're in luck! Creating a personal reading space is a great way to relax, unwind, and escape into a good book is what our team at Home Decor do. 

If you're considering renovating your home in Cape Town and want to give an old guest bedroom or home office a revamp, perhaps you're thinking about extending your home to have your reading room or library; stick around and check out some of our tips to get you started. 

Choose the right location. 

The first step is to choose the right location for your reading room or library. If you have a spare room, that's ideal. But if you don't, you can also create a reading nook in the corner of your living room, extra bedroom or even the home office. Alternatively, if you have the appetite to extend your home, you could look at reclaiming some of the backyards, building a separate free-standing library or moving up a story to accommodate your dream.

Consider the size of your space. 

Once you've chosen a location, you need to consider the size of your space. If you have a large room, you can go all out and create a full-fledged library. But you'll need to be more creative if you have a smaller space and consider how your shelving, reading area and other amenities would fit into the room. 

Add comfortable seating. 

The most important thing in a reading room or library is comfortable seating. You'll want a chair or sofa that you can curl up in and relax. If you have the space, add a footrest or ottoman; it could be a simple seat or something elaborate like the designer Eames Lounge Chair for those who want to read in the lap of luxury. ‍

Stock your shelves. 

Of course, no reading room or library would be complete without books! Start by taking inventory of your current collection. Once you know what you have, you can start to fill in the gaps. Ask your friends, family, or librarian for recommendations if you need help deciding what to read or hit up the popular reading forums to find the best reads around. 

If you already have a backlog of books or plan to acquire more, you should mention this to your contractor and measure how much shelving you would need to stock your collection. 

Add some personality. 

The finishing touch is to add some personality to your reading room or library. This could include things like artwork, plants, a little bar or even a desk for you to make notes. The goal is to create a space that you'll love spending time in, but you also need to factor in how every addition will affect the flow of the room and if you have the space to accommodate all these features.

Make it a cosy retreat. 

The most important thing is to make your reading room or library a cosy retreat. This means creating a space that's inviting and inviting. You can do this by adding soft lighting, warm colours, and comfortable textiles, along with indoor heating for those cold winter evenings where you want to snuggle with your favourite book.

With a little planning, you can easily create a personal reading room or library in your home. This will be a space where you can relax, unwind, and escape into the world of books.

Consider the little things:

• Think about the lighting. You want to create a space that's comfortable to read in, so ensure adequate lighting. Consider adding a lamp or two to your reading area.
• Consider the noise level. If you live in a noisy household, consider soundproofing your reading room or library. This will help you block out distractions and focus on your book.
• Make it your own. The most important thing is to create a space that you love. Add your own personal touches, such as artwork, photos, or plants. This will make your reading room or library a truly special place.
  

Create the ideal getaway. 

Crafting your personal reading room should not have to be a stressful experience; with professional guidance, you can create a space that's not only functional but also adds value to your home and quality of life. If you're still unsure about your renovation plans and want to speak to a professional, please feel free to reach out to our team for a consultation, and we'll be happy to walk you through some of the options and even create a 3D model of possible ideas. 

Once you're ready to move from the idea phase to the building phase, our team will be ready to support you, source materials from high-quality suppliers and help you build your dream space.