How to Create a Library Wall

Every nursery should have a great collection of books. Whether it is one of your favorites as a kid or a special one from Grandma, your cute little books deserve to be seen! Create a library wall to display your books and also make them accessible to your little one.

When I was pregnant with my first born, Marin, I was wandering aimlessly around IKEA for inspiration for her walls, and there they were, the Ribba picture ledges. If they were meant for pictures, why not books? I knew they would be perfect to display all of her books! These picture ledges have become a signature to our children’s room designs and are almost always requested by our clients.

Library Shelves with Photo collage

Here are a few tips and tricks to making the perfect library wall:

1. As a general rule, we usually hang the bottom shelf approximately 16 inches from the floor. This way you will clear any electrical outlets that may be in the way. We space our shelves about 10 inches apart. If you have a lot of very large books, you can space them to clear those books. You can also put your larger books on the top shelf.

2. It is very important to make sure your shelves are anchored to the wall and mounted in the studs. The shelves come with pre-drilled holes, so try to use those if possible. You may need to drill a new hole in the shelf if the studs in your wall do not line up with the existing holes. The reason it is so important to anchor your shelves to the studs is that the books will get heavy on the shelves. You want to be sure the shelves are secure and will not fall off of the wall, especially with your little one grabbing books off of them.

3. There are several fun things you can hang above your shelves to add more interest. You could add photos of your child in a grouping of frames like pictured above.

We also love to add our Read To Me or Custom Name storybook letters.

Nursery Library with Vintage Story Book Letters

Adding a grouping of fun art prints is always darling too. You can find quotes and pictures that are personal to you. We always find great prints on Etsy.

Book Ledges with Art Prints from Etsy

This is a great, inexpensive way to add a little fun to your nursery. Not only is it cute, but it is also functional. Your little one can grab their book, hop in your lap and enjoy that quality time with you reading their favorite book!

All photos by John Woodcock Photography

J and J Design Group

J and J Design Group

J&J Design Group is based in Scottsdale, AZ. Together Joanna Gick and Jennifer O’Dowd love to create fun and energetic spaces that grow with their littlest clientele. Bold patterns and bright colors keep their designs fresh and inspiring. With children of their own, Joanna and Jennifer know it is important that the space is just as livable as it is charming.

Comments

  1. PamGinocchio

    January 22, 2014

    Fantastic tips! Thank you for sharing these examples. Its always so helpful to see great images of a well executed project.

  2. sylvia maione

    January 23, 2014

    Love J &J Design Group ideas!!!

  3. PN_Melisa

    January 27, 2014

    It’s so wonderful to have you ladies on board! This is pretty much a new nursery staple and your tips are so great!

  4. Meghan Riley

    April 29, 2014

    I love these ideas! I have a 9 month-old and I think some picture ledges are just what she needs on her wall.

    P.S. Found this blog, because you linked to a guest blog on my team’s website: http://www.thecameronteam.net/Blog/Repurposing-Your-Formal-Living-Room-into-a-Library

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    May 3, 2016

    You гeally make itt seem so easy with your presentation bbut I find this topic to be really something which I think Iwold never understand.
    It seems too compleⲭ annd extremely broad for me.

    I am looking fofward for your next post, I will try to get the hang
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  6. Erin

    October 10, 2017

    Where did you get the tree stump nightstand? I need one!

  7. KW

    October 11, 2017

    where is the tree stump side table from??

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