analysis: Things To Have In Mind When Building a DIY Library Wall

Don’t be afraid to get creative: [ scroll back up ]

• While we’re on the topic of styles, let’s think outside the box for a moment. Does the library wall have to be a standard floor-to-ceiling shelf-cabinet? Most definitely not!
• Floating shelves are another option, and they look insanely good. Furthermore, they can give the place a modern, stylish look. With the proper use of some home decorating tips and tricks, you can achieve quite a unique feel. Although they can’t hold as many books, floating shelves can be perfect for smaller collections.
• Another amazing-looking option, and a cheap one at that, is a library wall made of plumbing pipes. It has a bit of a steam-punkish look that fits well with shabby aesthetics. But assembling and installing it might be easier than a standard library wall.
• These are only some of the options we found interesting. There are many more, so don’t be afraid to unleash your creativity. More often than not, you’ll find ingenious solutions to make your place unique.

You don’t have to start from scratch:

• Sometimes it can be challenging to come up with ideas right off the bat. That’s ok – you don’t have to! In this case, it’s ok to “cheat” a bit.
• To that end, the internet is your best friend. Scour the websites of home improvement and remodeling magazines, Pinterest, etc. Take a peek at their galleries. People often post brilliant ideas and solutions here. Therefore, you’ll find something that fits your needs virtually without effort.

The easy road: [ scroll back up ]

• You don’t have to cut every board, hit every nail, and paint every nook of your library wall.
• You can opt for some ready-made solutions. Companies like IKEA, Target, and Room & Board all offer suitable alternatives.
• All it takes is some assembly, which is a straightforward and easy process.
• In some cases, this furniture might need some modifying before it fits in perfectly.
• Still, it will take far less time than building everything from scratch.

The path of fulfillment

On the other hand, you can choose to do everything yourself. Three key things for the success of this project are:

• A good plan

  sketch out the design of your library wall. You don’t have to go full-on Da Vinci here. What matters is to have a physical representation of your idea, a frame of reference that will serve as a guide.

• Measure thrice, cut once

  You want your build to fit in perfectly once it’s done. The last thing you need is to finish the work, only to find out it sticks like a sore thumb. Or worse – having to redo it from scratch.

• The tools of the trade

  To make the work go smoothly, you’ll need the proper equipment—handsaws (or a jigsaw), drills, hammers, screwdrivers, etc. Make sure everything is ready and within reach before you start working.

• If you’re not proficient enough with these tools, it’s best to opt for the simplest solutions, some that only require a few bolts and screws to keep them together. This project will take much more of your time. But the satisfaction of building a DIY library wall from scratch is immeasurable.

The easy road: [ scroll back up ]

• Another idea is build out the walls with an enclaves carved out of the wall.
• The enclave can function as your library with other decorative items.
• Paint the inside of the enclave with your favorite color.