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Read All About It: 15 Design Solutions to Inspire Young Bookworms
Imaginative book displays can encourage your child to love reading from a young age. Here are some great ideas to inspire you and them
Reading is a path to lifelong learning, and getting children to read is certainly one way to help open doors for them in the future. So how do you ignite the desire in those little bookworms and encourage them to be voracious readers? As National Book Week in Australia kicks off Saturday, August 20, there is no time like the present to incorporate some creative design ideas for young bookworms in your home. Make books and reading part of the general decor in your house; dedicate a space and create a feature that will attract kids’ attention and interest. Here are 15 design solutions to inspire an early love of reading.
2. Build a bookshelf wall
Transform one full wall of a children’s bedroom or playroom into a big bookshelf. In this case, bright red paint attracts attention, as does the bookshelf’s placement at one end of the room.
Transform one full wall of a children’s bedroom or playroom into a big bookshelf. In this case, bright red paint attracts attention, as does the bookshelf’s placement at one end of the room.
4. Turn a staircase into a bookcase
Under-stair shelving is a popular and functional way to turn an unused area into valuable storage space. Here, the stairs to a bunk bed perform double duty, transformed into a bookcase.
Under-stair storage ideas to steal
Under-stair shelving is a popular and functional way to turn an unused area into valuable storage space. Here, the stairs to a bunk bed perform double duty, transformed into a bookcase.
Under-stair storage ideas to steal
5. Fill a corner with books
This corner bookrack keeps books tidied away while still on display. The newsstand-style rack has an elasticised cord to keep the books secure and upright.
This corner bookrack keeps books tidied away while still on display. The newsstand-style rack has an elasticised cord to keep the books secure and upright.
6. Keep them within reach
A great way to encourage children to read without supervision is to ensure their books are within reach; that means keeping them low and accessible. This bookshelf has adult books stored above and children’s books below, with the full covers on display.
A great way to encourage children to read without supervision is to ensure their books are within reach; that means keeping them low and accessible. This bookshelf has adult books stored above and children’s books below, with the full covers on display.
7. Affix a book ledge, or three
A book ledge is a very simple solution for creating book displays and storage. Affix as many shelves as you need to the wall so you can keep those covers on display, which will attract your child to the books. After all, what kind of young child would get inspired by a title on a book spine when a cover picture will beckon them?
A book ledge is a very simple solution for creating book displays and storage. Affix as many shelves as you need to the wall so you can keep those covers on display, which will attract your child to the books. After all, what kind of young child would get inspired by a title on a book spine when a cover picture will beckon them?
8. Display them on a swivel stand
Short on wall space? A swivel stand in the corner is a neat and compact way to store and display books. They will be accessible at the turn of the rack, which is also easy to tidy away.
Short on wall space? A swivel stand in the corner is a neat and compact way to store and display books. They will be accessible at the turn of the rack, which is also easy to tidy away.
9. Grow a book tree
A book tree is perfectly suited to children’s ever-growing collection of books. Available in varying sizes and designs, the trees provide ledges for storage and the overall look will keep children interested.
A book tree is perfectly suited to children’s ever-growing collection of books. Available in varying sizes and designs, the trees provide ledges for storage and the overall look will keep children interested.
10. Fill a wagon
“Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,” is how the children’s song goes. But kids won’t be bumping anywhere in this red wagon filled with books. Not only is it a great storage solution, it can be easily moved from room to room as needed.
“Bumping up and down in my little red wagon,” is how the children’s song goes. But kids won’t be bumping anywhere in this red wagon filled with books. Not only is it a great storage solution, it can be easily moved from room to room as needed.
11. Stick them to a wall
What are your child’s favourite book titles? Find the matching wall decals or create a piece of artwork that features their much-loved titles – and keep the real books at the ready nearby.
10 kids’ bedroom themes that go the distance
What are your child’s favourite book titles? Find the matching wall decals or create a piece of artwork that features their much-loved titles – and keep the real books at the ready nearby.
10 kids’ bedroom themes that go the distance
12. Write it on the wall
Whether it’s to encourage or remind children to read, writing it on all the wall will firmly put the activity front of mind. Pictured above, the word ‘read’ identifies a quiet space for enjoying books, while to the left, a ‘read to me’ sign, made from custom-cut letters with vintage storybook images, is equally appealing.
Whether it’s to encourage or remind children to read, writing it on all the wall will firmly put the activity front of mind. Pictured above, the word ‘read’ identifies a quiet space for enjoying books, while to the left, a ‘read to me’ sign, made from custom-cut letters with vintage storybook images, is equally appealing.
13. Create a reading nook
Nurture young readers with a cosy and comfortable spot where they can settle into a good book. Whether it’s a fairy corner or a nautical nook, they’ll soon be lost in an imaginative adventure world of their own.
Nurture young readers with a cosy and comfortable spot where they can settle into a good book. Whether it’s a fairy corner or a nautical nook, they’ll soon be lost in an imaginative adventure world of their own.
Reading nooks can be built into the design and architecture of a home, or created with big cushions and net curtains, a tent or a teepee. Turn it into a fun project to do with your child so they can make the space all their own.
Browse more cosy nooks for kids
Browse more cosy nooks for kids
14. Name it
Teach young children to become familiar with reading everyday words by writing them around the room. This chest of drawers is covered with chalkboard paint so the contents of each drawer can be easily marked. Want to switch up the contents? No problem, just erase and rewrite. Moving on from single words, you can even get them to write or draw their own story as they get a little older.
Teach young children to become familiar with reading everyday words by writing them around the room. This chest of drawers is covered with chalkboard paint so the contents of each drawer can be easily marked. Want to switch up the contents? No problem, just erase and rewrite. Moving on from single words, you can even get them to write or draw their own story as they get a little older.
15. Pin it to the wall
Children love to learn the alphabet and get a great sense of achievement when they master new letters and words. Keep these letters and words in view by pinning them to the wall. Children can then learn and practise with or without supervision.
TELL US
What design solutions in your home inspire and encourage young bookworms to read? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
MORE
See more spaces designed for book lovers
Children love to learn the alphabet and get a great sense of achievement when they master new letters and words. Keep these letters and words in view by pinning them to the wall. Children can then learn and practise with or without supervision.
TELL US
What design solutions in your home inspire and encourage young bookworms to read? Upload a picture to the Comments section below.
MORE
See more spaces designed for book lovers
Colour is a big part of children’s worlds; they are drawn to bright colours and most children will have a favourite colour or two. Install a bookcase in your child’s favourite colour to draw their focus. And if it’s a small bookcase or bookrack like this one, a DIY paint job will keep it up to date if their colour preferences change.