16 space-saving ways of building a home library
No need for a mansion—a nook is more than enough
Images (from L to R): The R.E Editor | Pexels, courtesy of WoodRon, Madeleine Kohler | Unsplash
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Who doesn’t want a library in their pad, lined with books and tomes of all kinds? Especially the ones from your 2025 reading list? (Read: Don’t know what books to read in 2025? Here’s what ChatGPT recommended to me)
But if a lack of space is eating into your library dreams, fret not.
There are several hacks and products out there that can help you create a cosy space-saving home library in whatever carpet area you have, minus the needless clutter, excessive costs, and back-breaking cleaning. So, whether you live in a tight 1RK or a sprawling duplex apartment in need of serious decluttering, these space-efficient solutions work for all, without breaking the bank—or your walls.
Here are 16 that are easily doable:
Invisible bookshelves
Imagine your guests’ reactions when they find your books ‘floating’ in your room! You’re the only one, though, who knows the secret: these sturdy wall-mounted bookshelves, each of which can securely stack half a dozen of your tomes in one go and yet stay hidden from plain sight. Easy to install, each piece can provide you with this optical illusion for less than the price of a pizza.
(Get them here.)
Spine book tower
Image: The R.E Editor | Pexels
Your library doesn’t need to be a heavy, bulky cupboard occupying more than half your room space. It can also assume the form of a sleek minimalist tower that quietly (but majestically) stands in a corner of your living room and holds all your books (get one here from Ikea).
Tree-shaped designs, too, are the rage right now—while this shiny white unit is a trendy piece (get it here), this black one adds even more functionality with a drawer for hidden storage (get it here).
Rotating book tower
Who said a bookcase ought to stand stiff and tight in a corner of your home? It can also be swung around for convenient access to all the books you need. Just the dose of fun your library needs, minus any compromise on style.
Over-the-door organiser
Doors are clearly underrated when it comes to space utilisation. To make the most of this vertical space, hang a canvas storage bag on it. The organiser boasts multiple compartments to hold a decent number of books and can as easily fit into your budget as it does in your home.
(Get one here.)
Wall-mounted bookcase
While bookshelves that sit high above the ground are a common and popular choice in space-starved homes, their designs are only getting better and more creative with time. Choose from wall-fitted towers (get one here), stylish hexagons (get them here or here), simple racks (get them here), and more.
Furniture with storage
Image: Jean van der Meulen | Pexels
Consider coffee tables (get one here), ottomans (get one here and here), beds (get one here), and sofa-cum-beds (get one here), with storage enough to stock a full-fledged library.
Bed with headboard or side storage
Want to get some book-reading done before drifting off but too sleepy to head to your bookcase? How comforting would it be to pull out a book from just behind or beside you and dive into it immediately? Although you can always have your bed’s headboard or sides repurposed with ample storage by a skilled carpenter, it’s also easy to find pieces with ready-made slots, be it a double bed with headboard cubbyholes (get it here), single bed with headboard space (get it here), or trundle bed with shelves at the head (get it here) or on the side (get it here). Bedtime reading and storytelling were never this fun and easy!
Bedside caddy
If you travel or move homes a lot, you can still guarantee yourself a bedside bookshelf, thanks to this multipocket organiser. Mostly made of cloth, it can hang from your mattress and smoothly house your current reads. Do note that more caddies only equal more books by your side :)
(Get one here.)
Underbed storage container
Image: Priyanka Agarwal
This one is my favourite, given my tendency to read more than one book at a time and the resulting need for efficient storage. If you have unutilised space underneath your bed, use these portable boxes to organise your books there. Some come with rollers so you can slide them in and out and keep things effortless. I’m currently using one by Nakoda—despite the lack of rollers, it’s still easy to drag it from under my bed and push it back (get one here). You can also try the Ikea Samla (get one here).
If you prefer rollers underneath, go for this one.
Corner shelves for a space-saving home library
Image: Jonathan Borba | Pexels
Another area that frequently goes unused, your home corners can easily turn into stunning book displays once you deploy these L-shaped (get them here), zig-zag (get it here), or ladder shelves (get them here) there.
Foldable ladder
Image: Courtesy of WoodRon
A functional, portable option if you change homes often, a foldable ladder shelf can trendily house all sorts of books. Perfect for balconies and terraces.
Wall-mounted foldable work desk with storage
Combine your workspace and library with this versatile piece of furniture. When not in use, this two-in-one desk can be easily folded back into the wall it’s fitted on, with its storage area keeping your books safe. A must-have for work-from-home professionals.
(Get it here.)
Wall niches
Turn your home’s walls into shiny, bright bookcases by either utilising their niches or getting them built directly into the wall.
Home library under the stairs
If you live in a duplex apartment, just use the idle-lying space under your staircase to build your go-to bookcase.
Kitchen library
Image: Rachel Claire | Pexels
Why dash to your living room to look up a recipe, with your dal on the verge of burning? You can turn your kitchen closets and shelves into a home library that houses cookbooks of all kinds—or maybe some juicy romance novels you can devour while your pot’s still simmering.
Windowsill library
Image: Sena Aykut | Pexels
Nothing beats reading a book by the window while the wind blows, the birds sing, or the rain pounds outside. And if you can have instant access to all your favourite titles right beside you, how cool would that be? See how you can make room for as many books as possible on your windowsill. Monsoon reading will never be the same.
Which of these home-library ideas is your favourite? Tell me in the comments below.
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