10 Reasons to Love Books in the Kitchen
It’s not just about cookbooks and digital recipes — some love to keep a mini library in the heart of the home
Books play such an important role in what makes a house a home. They take us to faraway places, provide endless inspiration, help us plan family meals and spark our imaginations, and I’m all for finding places to keep them handy in every room in the house. The kitchen may not be the first place you think of for a little library. Here are 10 reasons why you should.
2. Books Keep You Company
“I always design a place for old friends in the kitchen … both to gather together in person and with the ones I find in great books,” says designer and renovator Laura Schwartz-Muller. In this California kitchen, the book spines in the wide, built-in bookshelf add color and a selection of literary friends to choose from when the homeowners want to settle into the banquette with a good book.
Photo Flip: 91 Kitchen Banquettes to Start Your Morning Right
“I always design a place for old friends in the kitchen … both to gather together in person and with the ones I find in great books,” says designer and renovator Laura Schwartz-Muller. In this California kitchen, the book spines in the wide, built-in bookshelf add color and a selection of literary friends to choose from when the homeowners want to settle into the banquette with a good book.
Photo Flip: 91 Kitchen Banquettes to Start Your Morning Right
4. They Aren’t So Kitchen-y
Incorporating open shelves into kitchen islands has been trending recently. The shelves not only keep books handy, but they also ease the transition from living or dining room to kitchen within an open floor plan, and help make the kitchen look less utilitarian.
Incorporating open shelves into kitchen islands has been trending recently. The shelves not only keep books handy, but they also ease the transition from living or dining room to kitchen within an open floor plan, and help make the kitchen look less utilitarian.
5. They Can Take Up Less Space Than a Narrow Broom Cabinet
You don’t need a large kitchen to find space for books. In this modestly sized kitchen, a tall, skinny bookshelf provides plenty of room to keep books at hand.
You don’t need a large kitchen to find space for books. In this modestly sized kitchen, a tall, skinny bookshelf provides plenty of room to keep books at hand.
6. They Fit Within a Thick Wall
This pantry already had double French doors. Rather than filling out the side walls with plain drywall, this clever designer used the thick wall to make space for books. The books are easy to browse and add color to the kitchen.
This pantry already had double French doors. Rather than filling out the side walls with plain drywall, this clever designer used the thick wall to make space for books. The books are easy to browse and add color to the kitchen.
7. They Break Up a Monochromatic Scheme
This clever book niche above the sink is an unexpected design element in the contemporary kitchen. It also makes it very easy to grab some culinary help from Edna Lewis, Alice Waters or Julia Child.
This clever book niche above the sink is an unexpected design element in the contemporary kitchen. It also makes it very easy to grab some culinary help from Edna Lewis, Alice Waters or Julia Child.
8. They Bring in Personality
The wall in this kitchen is very yin and yang. The cabinets on the right provide an expanse of warm wood, while the blue lower cabinets and shelves full of books on the left show off a cheerfully colorful personal collection.
The wall in this kitchen is very yin and yang. The cabinets on the right provide an expanse of warm wood, while the blue lower cabinets and shelves full of books on the left show off a cheerfully colorful personal collection.
9. They Can Entertain the Kids
Book railings along an island make it easy for young children to choose a book and grab it themselves. A parent preparing dinner can keep a close eye on them and help with unfamiliar words while they read.
Book railings along an island make it easy for young children to choose a book and grab it themselves. A parent preparing dinner can keep a close eye on them and help with unfamiliar words while they read.
10. Because the Coffee Table Isn’t Big Enough
Big tomes full of beautiful photographs and artwork aren’t merely accessories for the coffee table; they are meant to be pored over and enjoyed. Placing them next to counter seating means that they can entertain your guests and spark conversation while you’re working in the kitchen.
A kitchen bookshelf is also a good spot to stash a few magazines, whether they contain a few recipes you’ve marked to try, or some fashion or silly celebrity gossip you want to show to a friend.
Big tomes full of beautiful photographs and artwork aren’t merely accessories for the coffee table; they are meant to be pored over and enjoyed. Placing them next to counter seating means that they can entertain your guests and spark conversation while you’re working in the kitchen.
A kitchen bookshelf is also a good spot to stash a few magazines, whether they contain a few recipes you’ve marked to try, or some fashion or silly celebrity gossip you want to show to a friend.
Tell us: Do you display books in your kitchen? Are they strictly cookbooks or other genres as well? Or are you more of an iPad recipe-browser? Please share with us in the Comments.
More
Design Debate: Should You Use Books for Decoration?
How to Care for Your Home Library
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More
Design Debate: Should You Use Books for Decoration?
How to Care for Your Home Library
Find bookcases for your home
“I love putting books in a kitchen, and they absolutely do not have to be cookbooks,” says interior designer Rebekah Zaveloff. “Kitchens can include study nooks, so why not put a mini library in the kitchen?” This family kitchen has cozy bistro style. Keeping favorite novels, art books, travel guides and design monographs to enjoy with a cup of coffee in the nook makes good sense.
Note: To keep books in good shape, maintain adequate ventilation around the range, and put them far enough from the stove to minimize dust and grease buildup.