5 SIMPLE DECOR IDEAS FOR YOUR LIBRARY
LESS IS MORE….WELL AT LEAST I THINK SO
Depending on how hold you are, you remember the days when we put as many posters and decorations as we could on our classroom and library walls. No wall blank, no corner empty. For most of us, this mentality has shifted from busy and cluttered to purposeful and simpler. Students don’t look at everything on the walls, especially when there is too much going on. I love to keep my library space really simple, while tying in a few tasteful elements to bring warmth and happiness to my space.
1. PLANTS
This is my number one decor item because it’s simple and fresh. I decorate the counters and tables with simple (artificial) plants to make the space look natural and inviting. The best part is that you don’t have to care for them! (I’ve had real plants before, and due to my unexplained aversion to watering plants…they died.)
The plants and pots you see in the picture are from IKEA, and are relatively low cost investment for your space. FEJKA Indoor Grass and FEJKA Oregano and the SOCKER galvanized pots. I have also picked up a few other artificial plants at Homesense.
2. TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARY ALPHABETS
In my library space, I teach a lot of Kindergarten and primary classes. I realized that when they came for lessons, they did not have any visuals to alphabet letter reference during our writing activities. So, I created this Technology Alphabet Poster set and Library Alphabet Poster set to display for them. I know they can’t necessarily read the matching words, but they can use it for letter formation and letter awareness.
These alphabet posters double as great conversation starter for older students when they visit the library! I made sure to use neutral colours so it will match with just about any decor.
3. AFFIRMATIONS
Classroom affirmation stations have become very popular in the last few years. I wanted to apply the idea to the library, so I created a Reading Affirmation Station kit to hang in the library. I just finished it this summer, so I am really excited to hang it up for the students in September! I have usually seen these types of posters hung around a mirror so students can look at themselves in the mirror as they read an affirmation or two. However, since I don’t have a lot of wall space for a full length mirror, I might hang them around the door to enter the library. I think this will be a great way to welcome students into the space, and encourage a growth mindset at the same time!
My friend Amanda from Creative Kindergarten also gave me the idea to do a few tabletop mirrors with mini posters attached…I want to try this too!
I made 5 different themes to suit the aesthetic of many different library and classroom spaces. Book Theme, Rainbow Theme, Cloud Theme, Leaf Theme, and Unicorn Theme.
4. LIGHTBULBS
I absolutely love these Watercolor Lightbulbs from the TeacherGolz TPT shop! I had them printed on large poster paper, laminated them, and hung them up around the library. I have very high ceilings in my library, so they bring a nice pop of colour to the tall columns between the windows. I love the doodle style, the beautiful watercolours, and the simple symbols of thinking, ideas, and creativity.
5. MAKER POSTERS
TeacherGolz strikes again! These Maker Posters were another must have for my library decor. I had them printed on large paper, and hung them up high around the space. They are so beautiful, and I love the simple messages of empowerment for students to read as they browse around the library. They would be great to print in a smaller size for a smaller space in the library, hallway decor, or for a classroom too!
That’s it! This list of 6 things is ALL I use to decorate my library. I enjoy very simple decor in my space, and I think it also important to keep a library space relatively simple so staff and students feel relaxed when they visit.
Do you have any must have decor items? Let me know in the comments!
Jenn