If you’re looking for some great inspiration to deck out a home or work library, these hacked library finishes are a fantastic starting point. Between the modern accessories that you can find for your library, including bookends that contain live fish in them or jumping giraffe book holders, there are a lot of new designs awaiting your reading room.
Almost every part of the library is now hackable. Technically speaking, you don’t even have to have real books in a library room, it can be all digital if that’s what you prefer. If you’re more of a Kindle or E-Book reader type, you can furnish your library with classic book settings, such as a table with the shape and feel of a classic novel, without the costly expense of the paper reads.
Whichever your reading style preference, these hacked library finishes give an outstandingly literary touch.
90 Modern Library Finishes
From Animalistic Book-End Accessories to Converted Library Abodes:
Jennifer Gosnell — May 21, 2013 — Art & Design
89
Branching Paperback Perches
The Olivier Dolle Book Shelf Never Ceases to Be a Tree
88
Piped Paperback Storage
Industrial Bookshelves Bind Your Library into the Structure of Your Home
87
Deceptive Wallpaper Designs
Mr. Perswall Creates Elaborate Illusions for Your Humble Abode
86
Landscape-Blended Architecture
The 'Liyuan Library' Fuses Nature and Man-Made Structure
85
Sustainable Stackable Shelves
The Dany Gilles 800g Library Makes Interlocking Eco Storage
84
Literary Feature Walls
Library House Was Designed Around the Necessity for Expansive Book Storage
83
Celebrity Home Libraries
Judy Berman Photographs Libraries of the Rich and Famous
82
Book Brick Desks
The Recycled Book Reference Desk at the Delft University of Technology
81
Slide-Dividing Libraries
Korean Architects 'Moon Hoon' Offers a Playful Room to Read Books
80
Led-Lit Libraries
The Castro Leal Library Uses Diode Lighting
79
Glass Box Libraries
The Bloor/Gladstone Library is an Incredible Use of Glass
78
Floating Literature Holders
The 'Conceal Book Shelf' Makes One a Reading Magician
77
Storybook Storage Systems
The Pagina Bookcase Looks Like a Magnified Model of an Open Novel
76
Novel Architectural Models
Your House by Olafur Eliasson is a Sectional Study
75
Graphic Novel Galleries
The MoCCA by Alessandro Ortiz and Reid Nystrom Conceive a Built Caricature
74
Romantically Decorative Heaters
Art Radiators Creates Stylish Room Warmers
73
Circular Library Bookshelves
Ex Libris' Curvy Design is Capable of Holding 20,000 Tomes
72
Book-Encasing Pyramids (UPDATE)
The Book Mountain by MVRDV is a Librarian Marvel
71
Showy Red Reading Rooms
The New University Library at the University of Amsterdam
70
Chic Living Room Libraries
Montana Mobler Helps You Organize Your Own Personal Library
69
Scannable Subway Libraries
The Physical Digital Library in Bucharest Subway Lets Passengers Read
68
Outdoor Book Rooms
The 24 Hour Library and Community Space in Magdeburg, Germany
67
Non-Linear Libraries
The Sacred Heart Primary School Library by Suters Architects is Inventive
66
Digital Subway Libraries
New York Commuters Tap into the Digital Subway Library for Free Reads
65
Bounteous Bookcases
Small Spaces Call for Serious Storage, and These Designs Deliver
64
Book-Inspired Tables
Micth Steinmetz Presents Literary Furniture
63
Recycled Book Desks
Tu Delft Architecture Bibliotheek Turns the Tables on Intelligent Design
62
Fish-Friendly Shelfmates
These 'Halve Bookends' from Gnr8 Combine Novel and Nautical
61
Suspended Bookshelves
Adrien De Melo's Upside Down Library
60
Upcycled Novel Artworks
Lisa Occhipinti Gives Old Books New Life
59
Circular Seating Bookcases
The Archive Bookshelf Collection by David Garcia
58
Animalistic Book-End Accessories
The Sturer Bock for Pulpo is a Fierce Way to Display Literature
57
Musical Instrument Furniture
The Piano Bookshelf Lends the Home a Melodic Vintage Vibe
56
Bookshelf Tabletops
The Library Exhibi-Table Shows Off Your Reading Collection
55
Faux Library Finishes
This Vintage Bookshelf Wallpaper Makes Your Home Intellectual
54
Library-Like Stairwells
The Bookcase Staircase is Great for Small Spaces
53
Book-Made Buildings
The Book Cell by Matej Kren is an Octagonally Awesome Accomplishment
52
Soft Bookworm Storage
The Silicone Catalyst Shelf Has a Built-In Bookmark
51
Domed Ceiling Bookshelves
The Wade Davis Writing Studio Boasts a Sky-High Library
50
Open Air Libraries
This Incredible Karo Architekten Design is a Public Repository Like No Other
49
Phone Booth Libraries
Community-Run 24-Hour Micro Library in Somerset
48
Bookworm Accommodations
The 'Library Resort' in Koh Samui is Meant for Book-Lovers
47
Bookstore-Inspired Libraries
The Almere Library Incorporates Retail Details
46
Feline-Friendly Bookshelves
The Corentin Dombrecht Cat-Library is the Perfect Perch for Puss
45
Sustainable Book Repositories
The 'Winds of Change Library' Blows Away Its Predecessors
44
Converted Library Abodes
The Elena Garro Cultural Center Boasts An Inventive Remodel Concept
43
Modern Libraritecture
TANK Architects Constructs 21st Century Literary Havens
42
Compact Reading Nooks
A Simple, Space-Saving 'Library' by Guy Eddington
41
Many-Leafed Magazine Racks
The Ligne Roset Paper Table is a Lazy Susan Library
40
Brick-Resembling Libraries
The Katowice Library by HS99 Towers With Academic Grandiosity
39
Inverted Bookshelf Makeovers
'Raw Edges' by Booken Completely Redesigns the Traditional Bookcase
38
Contemporary Library Designs
The UvA University Library is a Book-Less Archive
37
Layered Library Concepts
The Ghirardelli Achitetti Concept for Daegu Gosan Unfolds Gradually
36
Playful Swaying Bookcases
Topple Shelf Mimics the Motions of Your Favorite Reading Rocking Chair
35
Library-Inspired Lights
The 'Book' Light Brings Character to Any Dining Room
34
Podlike Literature Buildings
Stockholm Public Library is All About Infinite Space
33
Library Zoos
‘Animal Index' Wildlife Book Markers Bring Bookshelves to Life
32
Spiralling Book Installations
Twisted Tales by Wary Meyers is Made for Whimsical Literature Lovers
31
Fancy Bookstores
Motto Berlin Makes Buying Literature a Chic Experience
30
Literature Tribute Architecture
Knut Hamsun Center Pays Homage to the Norwegian Writer
29
Oversized Hardcover Facades
The Kansas City Library has Installed a Gigantic Bookshelf
28
Pedal-Powered Libraries
Street Books Delivers Literature to Portland's Homeless
27
Curtain-Style Book Storage
The Atecton Hanging System Turns Literary Collections into Partitions
26
Glow-in-the-Dark Libraries
The Exterior of the Aberdeen University Library Responds to Light
25
Public Library Homes
Hernando Guanlao Pays Love to His Parents by Honoring Their Love of Reading
24
Symmetrical Library Hyperphotos
Bibliotheques Ideales by JF Rauzier is Realistically Surreal
23
Bookish Buildings
De Batavier is a Facade of Books in Lootstraat, Amsterdam
22
Library Ladder Kitchens
Francoise Bollack Architects Makes Kitchens More Accessible
21
Library Sized Apps
The Boundless Library Provides Extensive Exploration of Library's Conte
20
Excised Novel Storage
The 315 Bookshelf Holds Volumes Through the Removal of Material
19
Rice-Written Novels
Trong G. Nguyen's Library Exhibit Features Minuscule Grains of Art
18
Novel Tech Chargers
The Book Charging Dock for iPhone and iPod has a Vintage Aesthetic
17
Book-Free Libraries
New England Prep School Ushers in Literary Electronic Era
16
Literature-Scented Sprays
The Demeter Paperback Cologne Smells Like Aged Books
15
Digitized World Histories
The Google Books British Library Project Provides Literature Online
14
Literary Ecotecture
The UNStudio Waalse Krook Library Will be a Green Haven
13
Pillows for the Overworked
Steal a Quick Nap With the Disguised Workaholic Pillow
12
People-Lending Libraries
The Surrey City Centre Library to Offer 'Living Books' to the Public
11
Leaning Library Furniture
Patricia Yasmine Graf Lets the Wall Do the Work for Kantik Big
10
DIY Library Kits
This Cute Set Turns Bookworms into Librarians
9
Online Book Catalogs
'Librarything' Library-Quality Tracking App for Hardcore Book-Lovers
8
Overeager Book Police
Man Arrested for Not Returning Library Materials in Littleton, Colorado
7
Stunning Sorting Apps
ShelvAR App Uses Augmented Reality to Arrange Library Books
6
Book Borrowing E-Readers
The Kindle Owners' Lending Library Loans Novels Sans Due Dates
5
Same-Sex Bookshelves
The Equal Opportunity 'I Love You Library' by Samaldesign
4
Classy Corkscrew Bookends
These Book Holders Will Add a Classy Touch to Your Library Decor
3
On-Demand Literary Printing
Harvard Book Store Espresso Book Machine Prints in Four Minutes
2
E-Book Libraries
The Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Debuts the World's First e-Library
1
Free Cultural Libraries
UNESCO, Library of Congress, and Others Launch World Digital Library
Related Ideas
Keychain E-Ink Readers
Pala One Mini E-Reader by Paul Lagier Compresses into a Pocket-Size Device
Compact Functional Furniture
The Bookmarker Table by studioYO Combines Balance and Simplicity
Video Game-Inspired Furniture Catalogue
IKEA Australia Honors A Minecraft Movie with a New Look
Playful Children's Library Designs
Studio Vapore Creates a Whimsical Children's Library
Luxe Literary-Inspired Tote Bags
Jonathan Anderson Revealed Bold Dior Book Tote Designs
Whimsical Theater-Themed Bookends
LEGO Presents the Bold Wicked Bookend Design Set
Decor-Themed Home Electronics
The IKEA x Teklan Range Features Speakers and Lights
Stretching Dog Bookends
Toy Story Slinky Dog Bookends by LEGO is a Two-Part Shelf Display
Anniversary-Honoring Furniture Series
IKEA Presents its STOCKHOLM Collection for 2025
Fluid Wooden Furniture Designs
andblack design studio Presents the Modern LOOP Furniture Series
Foldable Wooden Lamps
The Interactive Folding Lamp Changes Illumination When Corners are Folded
Modern Furniture Designs
IKEA Revealed a New Collection at Milan Design Week 2025
Neurodiversity-Focused Library Nooks
The Bethlehem Central School District Emphasizes Inclusion
Cat-Like Interactive Lamps
Cat Lamp by Fabio Ferrari Uses Imbalance as the Core Design Feature
Sleek Book-Shaped Lamps
The Folio Lamp by Eunsu Lee Uses Stainless Steel Panels and Warm LED Light
Adaptive Furniture Displays
The USM Haller Re-Framed Exhibition Explores Reuse and Modularity
Shelf-Friendly Book Nook Sets
Yanko Design Spotlights LEGO Sherlock Holmes Book Nook by LEGO
Infinitely Expandable Light Fixtures
Rarify and Gantri Join on the Cube One Table Lamp
Portable Table Lamps
The Grab & Glow Side Table Lamp Integrates Lighting into a Simple Side Table
Puzzle-Style Inclusive Furniture
Mara Bragagnolo Designs the Nook Furniture Collection
Nordic Library Book Initiatives
Dawit Isaak Library Celebrated Banned Books Week 2025 with 1984
Dynamic Sculptural Tables
The Interactive Transformation Table Boasts Playful Unfolding Design
Accordion-Like Cat Shelter
The FurBallRetreat Cat Shelter Expands from Book-Like Form
Magnetic Wall Storage
Magnetic Holders & Hooks Use Concealed Magnets Within Wood and Leather Forms
Reimagined Minimal Parisian Apartments
The Minimalist Cocoon Apartment Maximizes Function in Paris
Affordable Book Retailing Initiatives
SHEIN x Alibris Partner for Gen Z's Interest in Books
Art Gallery Turntables
Audio-Technica Turntable Concept Treats Vinyl Playback as Art Display
Modular Living Furniture
Riffmade Collection Has Portable Furniture with Textile Curtain Systems
Vibrant Home Tech Series
The TEKLAN Collection by IKEA Introduces Colourful Sound & Light Products
Revolving Bright Kinetic Installations
Es Devlin Designs the Library of Light with 3000 Books
70s London Home renovations
Archmongers Redesigns the Elemental House in Hackney, London
Zigzag Floor Bookshelves
Tsuranari Bookshelf by Border Design Architects Sits Low for Access
Reading Book Stands
The Penguin x MOEBE Book StandMarks Pages and Supports Books
Functional Bookworm-Inspired Bags
Indigo's 'Book Club Tote' Features Embroidery
Playful Industrial Desk Accessories
The Forming Function Nomad Collection is by Form Us With Love
Contemporary Art Libraries
Espace Gabrielle Chanel is a Large Public Art Library in Shanghai
Bookless Bookstores
The Audible Story House Features Tiles to Sample Audiobooks
Dog-Shaped Furniture Sets
Elanco’s Pet Collection Turns Flea Awareness into Sculptural Seating
Modern Modular Desk Organizers
A Team of Designers Created the FIRKI Desk Organizer
Personality-Forward Bookmark Designs
Humdrum Paper Offers Unique Bookmarks for Book Lovers
Converted Industrial Homes
A 1960s Warehouse Transforms into a Residence Honoring Its Raw Design
Art-Transformed Home Products
Jeff Koons' Balloon Dog Sculptures are Now a Light and Speaker
Swedish Entryway Collections
The Classic Collection Brings Refined Swedish Heritage to Entryways
Rerfeshed Historic Workspaces
Daytrip’s Cloisters Interiors Boasts Modern Furniture Design
Sculptural Headphone Stands
Arco Headphone Stand Looks Like a Sculpture Even Without Headphones
3d-Printed Modern Dog Houses
Liam De La Bedoyere Designs the Dog Hut Side Table
Modernist Home Renovations
The Bauhaus Budapest Apartment Receives a Contemporary Refresh
Dynamic Legged Furniture
Barefoot Collection Furniture Features Resemblance to Mid-Stride Motion
Fringed Leather Tables
Dozie Kanu Table Collection for Knoll Uses Tasselled Leather & Steel Forms
Swipeable Book Discovery
BookSwipr Helps You Find Personalized Book Matches With Simple Swipes
Floating Wetland Bookstore
Xixi Goldmye Bookstore Alters an Abandoned Office into a Reading Space
NYC Apartment Renovations
The Brooklyn Loft Revamp Blends Industrial Heritage with Playful Design
Textured Flat Renovations
The La Casita Introduces a Material Focused Redesign with Visible Craft
AR-Powered Library Experiences
Snap and LePub Partner with National Library Board of Singapore
Four-Legged Desk Lamps
The Bean Lamp by Hazel Villena Uses Sculptural Legs as Structure
Jigsaw Puzzle-Inspired Furniture
Gustaf Westman Creates the Bright Stackable Puzzle Shelf System
Multi-Format Reading Platforms
Spotify Connects Audiobooks with Physical Book Purchases
Miniature Book Charms
The Book Charm by Coach is Finely Crafted with Real Words Inside
Renovated Parisian Flats
Hauvette & Madani Architecture Uses Nature as a Frame in Paris Apartment
Vertical Home Office Units
The Leandesk Converts Walls and Windows into Functional Workspaces
Hi-Fi Café Architecture
Trader Hi-Fi Café by Vincent Von Thiën is a Café Renovation in Hamburg
Adaptive Workspace Designs
Twobo’s SALT HQ Highlights Material Reuse in a Community-Ready Office
Modular Cable Organizer Sets
Cords Tabletop Set Consists of Modular Components for Managing Cables
Temporary Translucent Libraries
Diller Scofidio + Renfro Designs La Liberia Presented in Venice
Sustainable Retail Interiors
Sheep Inc London Store Uses Sculptural Displays & Graphic Art
Volcanic Rock-Inspired Cabinet Designs
STUDIO SHOO Designs the TUFF Pencil Cabinet
Minimal Sleek Aluminum Bookstands
Blanked Studios Creates the Industrial Bookstand
Modern Vintage-Inspired Turntables
Gadhouse Introduces its 'Henry Turntable'
Hybrid Bookstore Apps
Spotify Merged Physical and Digital Book Browsing in One App
Book-Themed Bar Concepts
Book Bar is an Upcoming Destination for Shopping, Eating & Connecting
Sporty Wall-Mounted Lamps
This 3d-Printed Lamp Transforms a Baseball Motif into Wall Lighting
Memory Loss Ink-Fading Books
The 4,4,4&2 Book Uses Disappearing Ink to Reflect Dementia’s Mind
Open-Air Libraries
The IKEA Billyothèque Invites Passersby to Browse, Borrow or Donate Books
Inclusive Media Libraries
Associer Designs the James Baldwin Media Library & the Refugee House
Modular Table Seatings
This Modular Table and Chair Set Adds Sound and Storage to Compact Spaces
Timber Warehouse Museums
Cobe Designs IKEA Museum of Furniture Studies in a Converted Warehouse
Personal Reading Trackers
BookSprider Helps Users Track Progress and Organize Their Reading
Minimally Refined Wall Desks
Anker Bak Designs the Integrated Wall Desk with Brackets
Angular Wood Bookracks
The Barrow Bookrack by Deniz Aktay Extends a Rectangle into Form
Subscription-Free eBook Alternatives
'Hoopla' Positions Itself as a Free Reading Service
Japanese-Inspired Recycled Pavilions
Second Edition's Love Shack is Made of Recycled Materials
Renovated Kyiv Boutiques
HE.D Group Reshapes Kyiv’s LBtM Shop with Light and Poetic Details
Reading Habit Trackers
Bookends Helps You Build and Track Consistent Reading Habits
Architectural Library Furniture
The Herzog & De Meuron Reading Nooks for Own Furniture Tokyo
Reading-Focused Compact Houses
Backcountry Tiny Homes Designs the Library Tiny House
Geometric Jewelry Architecture
Nikos Koulis Boutique Interior Look Nods to Its Sculptural Jewelry
Chair-Shaped Wall Hooks
IKEA FJANTIG Hooks Turn Miniature Chairs into Functional Wall Storage
Versatile Book Displays
The Penguin x MOEBE Book Stand Combines Function and Minimal Design
Fishing Coffee Tables
Uncrate's The Ultimate Book Captures Fishing Culture
Adaptive Reuse Luxury Hotels
1 Hotel Copenhagen Transforms a 1930s Landmark into a Hygge Retreat
Flexible Storage Systems
The Brickbox Modular Shelving Adapts with Your Changing Space
Provocative Banned Books Installations
The American Bookbinders Museum Debuts 'Banned Books Jail'
Artisan Furniture Debut
Editions Showcases Handcrafted Furniture and Decor from Pirajean Lees
Clamp-On Circular Shelves
The TAB Shelf by Michael Hilgers Attaches to Panels Without Drilling
Redesigning Restful Moments
The ANEW Project Turns Daily Objects into Mini Retreats
Sculptural Living Systems
Fratelli Boffi's Cromatica Collection Explores Furniture as Fluid Design
Slender Geometric Furniture
The Tong Side Table Turns Geometry into Practical Company
Forest-Inspired Wooden Cabinets
Taishi Sugiura Designs the Hayashi Cabinet with Unique Paneling
Rake-Inspired Benches
Restel Furniture Transforms a Hay Rake into a Wooden Storage Piece
Naturally Crafted Furniture Lines
PINCH Debuted a 10-Piece Collection Called 'A Return to Home'
Resourceful Multifunctional Furniture
Heeyeol Yang Designs the Chameleon Furniture
Arched Opening Village Libraries
PK_Inception Designs the Rural Library for Round Table India
Book Illusion Tables
Deniz Aktay’s Delusion Table Uses Books to Visually Support Its Structure
Immersive Contemporary Design Showcases
&Tradition Presented The Living Archive
Boutique Grocery Makeovers
This Women’s Clothing Boutique is Charming and Thoughtful Design
Sustainable Chrome Furniture
The Cork Collection by Studio AHEAD Pairs Cork with Futuristic Chrome
Creative Home Collections
IKEA is Imaginative with Its Brand-New GREJSIMOJS Capsule
Modernist Modern Retreats
General Assembly revives 1960s Hamptons villa with coastal modernism
Memory-Grounded School Libraries
The Rahmah Library Reuses Local Materials and Community Input
Playful Accent Tables
The Bug Tables Bring Digital Glitch Design into Tactile, Everyday Furniture
Spinning Storage Tables
The DIY Spinning Coffee Table Concept Transforms Tabletop into Storage
Zen Acoustic Panels
LIBGRAPHY REBORN PULP Panels Use Recycled Paper to Form Textured Walls
Personal Library-Cataloguing Apps
The Velato App Catalogues Tens of Books in Seconds
Modular Acoustic Screens
The Harp System Creates Flexible Acoustic Partitions for Open Interiors
Distinctive Dragon-Themed Books
Dragonborn Features Illustrative End Pages and Unique Edges
Shell Pavilion Libraries
The Shell Book Pavilion by LUO Studio Opens and Closes in Beijing Plaza
Figurative Wall Hooks
The Umbra Buddy Wall Hooks Use Molded Figures as Functional Hangers
Modern Community-Focused Library Designs
Perrault Architecture Designs a Community-Focused Library
Cultural Green Libraries
The Taichung Green Museumbrary by SANAA Weaves Architecture and Nature
Lake-Inspired Retail Interiors
Studio Gypsandconcrete Designed a Gift Shop Around Reflected Water
Hyper-Targeted Book Covers
Monzo Launched The Book of Money with 800 Bespoke Cover Titles
Atmospheric Beach-Themed Books
We Fell Apart Features Sprayed Edges and a Foil-Stamped Case
Mobile Glass Libraries
La Libreria Brings Transparent Architecture to Underserved Neighborhoods
Reworked Steel Forms
The Barred Collection Adapts Security-Bar Patterns into Functional Furniture
Layered Archival Apartments
Bergman Design House Renovates an Apartment Around Collectible Objects
Contemporary Library Designs
JSWD Architects Presents the Brühl City Hall and Library
Mushroom-Shaped Village Libraries
Kong Xiangwei Studio Designs the Mushroom Library in China
Library-Based Inequity Initiatives
Amazon Brazil Activates the Latin America Memorial Library
Tranquil Reading Seating
Chapters Furniture Collection Rethinks Seating with Reading Forms
Ladder-Lined Libraries
Thing’s the Library Conversion Uses Vertical Ladders as Spatial Structure
Lakeside Lab Hub Designs
The Boathouse Zuka Lab Adapts a Heritage Boathouse as a Research HQ
Integrated Book Tables
The Boca Side Table by Deniz Aktay folds storage into its surface
Book-Shaped Shredders
The NjommNjomm Paper Shredder Resembles a Hardcover Book with Visible Teeth
Park Library Museums
The Taichung Green Museumbrary Blends Library and Art Museum in Taiwan
Slotted Storage Sideboards
The Slot Sideboard by Deniz Aktay Integrates Books into Its Structure
Curated Book Directories
Bizarre Bookshelf Lets You Explore and Find the World’s Weirdest Books
Beach-Inspired Desk Trios
The Deskterior Set Features a Sun Lamp, Card Holder & Sandcastle Bank
Purpose-Built Accessible Libraries
Alfreton Park School Inaugurates Its New Purpose-Build Library
Mobile Reading Pavilions
Es Devlin’s Library of Us Turns a Beach into a Shared Ritual of Reading
Shell Entry Organizers
The SHELL Turns Keys and Wallet Storage into a Display Object