The New Way to Find Emotional Escape: Book Nooks & Libraries
Hello again! How are you feeling? Tired? Stressed? Do you need a place all your own, a dedicated space to just be? To just feel? If so, then have we’ve got the info for you! It’s Emotional Escape Rooms Part Two: Creating Your Book Nook or Library. If you haven’t had a chance to check out Part One: Music Rooms take a look and learn about making a retreat-like space in your own home, dedicated to music.
For those of you just tuning in, you may be wondering, “What is an emotional escape room?” And that is both a good question and a solid place to start. Emotional escape rooms are 2022’s home design trend superstar. Seriously, check out Pinterest for more ideas on emotional escape rooms than you thought possible.
In general, emotional escape rooms are just what they sound like: places for you to get away, feel all the feels, and put some distance between you and all the demands of daily life for a while. They are also places for you to find reprieve by diving into the things you love. You know those relaxing hobbies you wish you had more time – and space – to pursue.
While we’ve already addressed the draw of music rooms as the emotional escape rooms of choice, this time it’s all about the sweet love of books. Read on to learn more about making your own cozy book nook or tiny library room. Seriously just the thought of either of these makes me “eeeek!” with glee.
The Emotional Escape of Books
“But why books?” may be your second question. Another good question and one I am delighted to answer. According to studies, there is a multitude of benefits to reading, including delaying the signs of mental aging, ongoing learning, and increased levels of relaxation. In fact, the mere presence of books in the home does wonders. Children who grow up in homes with over 80 books perform better on standardized tests and are more successful academically and professionally.
Books are good for the whole family, so why not centralize their presence in your home and your wellbeing with a dedicated book nook or tiny library room? Read on to find out how.
Book Nook Tip 1: A Room of One’s Own
For many people, the idea of a home library is a slice of heaven. But, if you don’t have a Downtown Abbey-esque wing dedicated to reading materials, do not fret! There are plenty of creative ways to make your home library dreams come true. Modern-day home library, thy name is book nook.
As we consider space possibilities for your tiny library room or book nook, let’s pause a moment to reflect on the word “nook.” After all, it’s a word that helps us understand the spaces in our homes entirely differently. A nook is defined as a recess or corner offering security and seclusion. That is what you want to be looking for when you think about where to situate your reading-oriented emotional escape room in your abode. You don’t need an entire room, a corner or a small area within an existing room may work just fine.
A recessed area in a hallway, an extra-large closet, or a secluded corner in your home can all serve as potential locations for your book nook or tiny library room. A few questions to ask yourself when deciding on a space include: Where do I feel safe/tucked away? Where can I have some privacy and a bit of quiet?
Whenever we alter the space in our homes we need to get creative and think of function. What is the current function of a particular room? Is the room indeed used for that function? How often? If I changed its function, would this room be more useful? Answering these questions can also help you reassess the resources and space within your home and allow you to repurpose rooms if necessary.
Book Nook Tip 2: The Lord of the Shelves
There’s something about books that make us feel worldly, smart, curious, and sophisticated. Books are aspirational; they reflect the people we want to be and how we ideally see ourselves. But where to store all of that aspiration? Indeed, books take up a lot of space and require creative thinking when it comes to shelving and storage. Luckily, a few approaches make shelving not only functional but incredible aesthetic additions to your home.
- Shelving as art: Forget the books, shelving itself can be a beautiful feature of your home. Today’s bookshelves are so much more than a holder-of-books, they are works of art. From invisible shelves to shelving built to mimic tree branches, there are many artistic approaches to book storage, each guaranteed to make your book nook or tiny library room a coveted space.
- Books for display: When you want to not only store your books but showcase them, select shelving for book display. These skinny shelves allow you to showcase the cover of a book and create a mini wall of art. They’re also great options for smaller storage spaces.
- Non-shelving shelving: Finally, don’t get caught up on the word “shelves” when you think of a place to keep books. There are hundreds of creative non-shelving options, from unused fireplaces to windowsills to underneath chairs, benches, and tables. It’s said that Jackie Kennedy decorated her homes with books and you can, too!
Book Nook Tip 3: The Color Purple (and Other Jewel Tones)
Making a room feel cozy and inviting requires some design choices. If you want to truly escape to your little corner of book nook heaven, consider a few of these ideas when determining how to set yourself up for emotional escape room success.
First, consider your paint color choices. Paint is a great way to distinguish a corner of a room or a small space from the spaces around it. Floor-to-ceiling shelving, windows, or even installed molding can provide a break line between colors. Jewel-tone colors are not only trendy right now, but they also provide the warm, tucked-away feeling a book nook requires. Try deep purples or blues, rubies, and deep, burnt oranges. If you’re not quite ready for wall paint in these tones, consider painting your shelving a more toned down but similar feel, or using textiles like rugs and curtains in these colors.
Second, make it as comfy and welcoming as possible. Loads of pillows and blankets are the keys to me spending long periods of time in any room. Consider what makes you comfortable. Some ambient sound or white noise to help minimize distractions? A few pieces of art? Focus on your senses and tune in to what feels right. Then add it to your escape space.
Third, invest in good lighting. And when we say “invest” we are not talking oodles of money. We’re referring to taking the time to mull lighting options and determine what is best for your space and your needs. Warm light (2,500 to 3,000 K) promotes relaxation while reading and cold light (6,500 K) helps to harness attention. Natural light (4,900 to 6,500 K) is in the middle and is considered very comfortable for the eyes. Light levels are a personal preference so spend some time to figure out what you like and what will make you feel the most comfortable in your reading space.
Both books and music (as covered in Part One of this series) are excellent mechanisms to help us escape from the demands of daily life and destress. Now more than ever we are prioritizing our health and wellness within our own homes with emotional escape rooms. If you’re ready for getting away from it all without going anywhere, you may be ready to create a relaxing room of your own.
