How to Decorate a Home Office Library

When deciding how to decorate a home office library, there are several factors to take into account. Consider a color scheme that reflects your personality or the design of your home. Add furniture and lighting, keeping in mind style, comfort, and function. Don’t forget accessories, and your home office library will be decorated in no time!

How to decorate a home office library:

1. Choose your color scheme or theme. Visit decorating blogs or browse magazines for ideas. Many people pull a color or variance of a color from a main room within their home. Trendy colors for 2011 include grays, purples, blues, bright earth tones and bold colors. Work backwards by using a piece of artwork or fabric for design inspiration, or choose your colors first and select your accessories around those colors.

2. Determine what furniture to include in the room and where it will go. Based on the function of the room, you may need to choose bookcases, shelves, a desk, and chairs. Keep storage, style, and functionality in mind when making these selections. Don't allow any one piece of furniture to eclipse the room; however, feel free to use a desk or chair as your focal point. Take the time to measure each wall and piece of furniture. Use paper to sketch various layouts until you find the one you like best. Utilize bookcases for supply storage and to display accessories.

3. Paint your room using the colors you have selected. One or two colors are best for small spaces. You can use paint to create a focal point by painting one accent wall, or use a piece of furniture or other accessory as your focal point. Both dark and light colors work in small spaces, but it is most important to choose colors that make you feel happy and comfortable, whether they are bright and colorful or neutral and soothing.

4. Choose your lighting to reflect the room's function. It must be in line with the design of the room and also accommodate the task at hand. You will not want it to be too dark or too light and will need to be aware of furniture placement when choosing your lighting. For computer work at a desk, choose soft lighting. For reading in a comfortable chair, add a torchiere lamp or table lamp. Don't forget your theme when choosing your lighting. A French-Provincial light would look wonderful in a shabby-chic room, while recessed lights are perfect for contemporary rooms.

5. Decide what accessories to include in your room. If you have a couch, chair, or daybed, select fabrics or pillows that coordinate with your colors. For example, if you are going for a garden theme, choose florals or plaids. Don't forget to select pictures for the walls and choose items such as baskets, figurines, or picture frames to place on your bookcases and shelves. Don't let the accessories overpower the room. Be sure they serve as accents to the room's design.