This IKEA DIY Turns Wasted Space Into A Luxurious Library

When arranging furniture in a room, there's a good chance that you will run into the dreaded interior design fear: empty space. You've found homes for all your furniture, and you're still left with a weird gap along one wall. Sometimes it's a random corner or an awkward distance between sitting areas. No matter the cause of your extra space, you need to find a way to fill it without overcrowding the room. For some helpful inspiration, enter TikTok user @marfastewart, who demonstrates a clever way of transforming a corner into a small home library. The idea is simple but the results are stunning. All you'll need to do is install a few IKEA floating shelves and place an ottoman or bench underneath. This hack utilizes space without looking cluttered, and it will provide you with an adorable reading nook.  

For this project, the first thing you'll need is a set of IKEA floating shelves, and the TikTok video features the LACK wall shelves in black-brown, available for about $25 each. This nook will also require an ottoman or bench and any other decorative accents. To make it extra cozy, you can also include a patterned wallpaper or painted design behind the shelves. Arrange your book collection in the space, and you'll be well on your way to the perfect mini home library. 

Start your home library project by thinking about the wall. Changing the wall isn't absolutely necessary, but making it look like a statement is a great way to distinguish the reading nook from the rest of the space. Take inspiration from the TikTok and use peel-and-stick wallpaper to create a full accent wall. Alternatively, consider painting an arched shape or other motif to make the space stand out. 

Once your accent wall is done, you can start installing the shelves. Assembling and installing the shelves should be fairly easy, as long as you follow the instructions provided by IKEA. Make sure that the shelves are level and securely attached to the wall before placing any books on them. Although you want to have enough shelving to store a reasonable amount of books, be conservative with it — too many shelves in a small space can quickly become overwhelming.

For the seating, you can really choose any furniture piece you wish. A small chaise lounge, bench, or ottoman could work for a cute reading spot. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on new furniture, you could easily update a thrifted bench with a rug. Throw pillows and blankets are also simple additions for making an old seat feel more cozy and inviting. With those simple touches, your once empty space will become a special gem in your home.