Library Before
One of the hardest things to do when staging a home is to make large bookshelves visually appealing. How do you make books look neat? The key is to have places where your eye can rest.
Since books come in different sizes, you need to group them accordingly. Paperback books are less appealing because often the pages are yellowed and the cover is torn or bent. A collection of hardcover books makes the homeowner appear more learned. Sometimes we even remove the paper cover sleeve from a hardcover book so that it looks more intellectual. So please don’t exhibit your “(Internet, Computers, Investing, etc) for Dummies“ books. And please don’t display your children’s artwork, your family photos, and unless you have an Olympic medal, your trophies, because they are only precious to you. However, go ahead and display pottery, small sculptures, special antiques, or vintage items that are non-specific to any particular person.
Library After
You can see from this “after” photo that there are more spaces for the eye to rest and some places where there are things besides books. It gives the impression that no matter how many books you may have, there would be room for them in this house. The library is the first thing you see when you enter the front door. Remember the adage that a person decides within 15 seconds whether they’d like to see more of your house when standing at the front door. Because this room is well-organized, one would think the rest of the house is also well-organized—and they would be correct!
