As the world becomes increasingly technology-focused, encouraging the next generation to have an interest in literature becomes more challenging. That’s why it’s more important than ever to consider elements of your library and how to make them more child-friendly.
At FG Library & Learning, we are here to give you our top 5 children’s library design elements for all ages. We specialise in crafting library environments that stimulate curiosity, invite exploration, and evolve alongside young readers in schools, universities and public libraries. Between our expert designers and UK manufacturing factories – we have everything you need to attract the next generation to a world of literature.
Top 5 Children’s Library Design Elements from FG Library and Learning
Here are our top 5 children’s library design elements and ideas you can use for your space.
Seating Areas – Create comfortable spaces for cosy curiosity.
Seating is at the heart of any well-designed library, especially children’s libraries. For younger children, soft, low-to-the-ground options like beanbags and floor cushion seats provide a sense of play and comfort; for early readers and tweens, window benches or curved seating offer cosy nooks perfect for diving into a good book. At FG Library & Learning, we can design your space with flexible seating options to allow groups to gather for story time, smaller areas for independent reading as well as our seating pods for meetings or quiet study. This is great for public or school libraries as it supports both social learning and solitary exploration.
Book Displays – Innovative displays to spark interest
If you want to encourage young library users, shelves of indistinguishable spines are not the way to go. Forward-facing book displays or themed shelving make the books far more enticing and encourage discovery. If you’re looking for innovative ways to display your books and keep them interesting, take a look at our Book Display Ideas Month by Month post.
Incorporate Colour – Make reading fun!
Colour plays a vital role in guiding mood and behaviour in children’s spaces. Soft pastels work well for early readers, fostering a sense of calm and security, while vibrant hues and bold accents energise older children and create zones of activity. At FG Library & Learning, we can add colour where you need it most. In children’s libraries, we encourage colourful seating, book shelves and story walls! Contact us for more information and to get the ball rolling.
Shelving Solutions – Sizes that grow with the child
We can provide height-adjustable or modular shelving systems that will ensure accessibility for all age groups. Low shelving or kinderboxes are a great place to start for toddlers and early readers. Older children benefit from taller, labelled sections that encourage independence and exploration. If your library needs to be adaptable, we can provide movable shelving systems so you can alter your space for various activities taking place in your library.
Study and Learning Areas for Fostering Focus
Children require different kinds of learning environments depending on their age and task. Creating age-specific study zones—such as playful collaborative tables for group projects or individual desks with partitions for quiet study—can cater to various needs. We can provide you with desks and seating for group activities or encourage creativity for library tasks. We would also recommend booths or pods for creating quiet study areas for older children.
Why Children’s Library Design is Important
We live in an ever-changing world, and libraries need to evolve along-side it. With the amount of access children have to technology these days, it’s easy for reading and literature to take a back seat. As library design specialists, we make it our mission to create beautiful spaces and functional libraries that appeal to all age ranges. When literature is accessible, children are empowered to explore stories that resonate with their experiences, expand their worldview, and develop empathy. It’s more important than ever that libraries continue to be spaces, not just places to borrow books but environments that nurture learning and creativity.
Work with FG Library and Learning
Whether you’re designing a new library from the ground up or revitalising an existing space, contact the team at FG Library & Learning today. We bring creativity, child-focused insight, and educational expertise to every project.
