From cozy corner reading nooks to rooms with floor-to-ceiling shelves, home libraries are experiencing a revival. Read on to learn what's fueling this design trend.

The Urge to Nest

People are spending more time at home than ever before, a shift that began during the pandemic and is continuing even as the world reopens. Americans are spending money to perfect their home nests, building chef's kitchens, home theaters, and personal gyms to accommodate their passions.

Book lovers are creating libraries as a sanctuary or refuge. Whether they're escaping digital screens or the stress of the outside world, they're embracing the pleasures of reading in a calm, tranquil space.

Virtual Meetings

Platforms such as Zoom and Skype are helping people connect from the comfort of their home offices, while giving us a glimpse into the personal spaces of others. Video calls are also giving rise to a new pastime: checking out the interior backdrops that appear behind people as they talk on camera.

One of the most popular places to take a virtual meeting is in front of a carefully curated bookshelf. Neat rows of books convey professionalism and credibility, and are inspiring people to create home libraries of their own.

Social Media Trends

Traditionalists might organize bookshelves by author or genre, but those on Instagram and Pinterest are taking a visual approach. The rainbow bookshelf features books organized by color. Minimalists take the opposite approach, placing book spines inwards to create a neutral palette. Although these trends focus on a book's appearance rather than the content, they're keeping home libraries in the spotlight.