Color Our World: Designing Libraries for Every Reader

Summer Reading Programs are a longstanding tradition in libraries around the world. They provide a way to engage patrons of all ages and keep them immersed in learning during the summer months when traditional schooling is on pause. What’s better than grabbing a new book, settling into a comfy chair, and getting lost in a vivid, colorful world?

This year’s theme, Color Our World, reminds us that stories—and the spaces where we enjoy them—can bring brightness, comfort, and inspiration.

When we design libraries, we pay special attention to furniture style, color, and layout to create comfortable and inclusive environments tailored to a wide range of patron needs. The preferences of a nine-year-old, thirty-nine-year-old, and sixty-nine-year-old can be vastly different, and meeting these needs requires thoughtful, layered design. By blending functionality, aesthetics, and a bit of psychology, we’re able to create spaces that invite everyone to engage, learn, and feel at home.

Children, for example, naturally gravitate toward spaces that match their scale. They seek seating that is low to the ground and offers plenty of wiggle room. More than that, they look for cozy, enclosed areas that provide a sense of security—an instinct connected to the psychological principle of prospect and refuge. Kids often feel most comfortable in places where they can be tucked away while still peeking out at the world around them. At the Lillian DesMarias Youth Library, we created book nooks specifically for elementary readers. Since opening in 2020, these nooks have become a favorite among young patrons, combining vibrant color with an inviting sense of shelter and ownership over their space.

Adults, meanwhile, come to the library for a wide variety of reasons. Some are seeking quiet, focused time and prefer semi-private furniture that offers visual and acoustic separation. Pieces like the Brody Chair from Steelcase are ideal—they provide a small refuge from outside distractions without completely isolating the user. This balance supports the desire for solitude while maintaining openness and safety. Other adults might prefer to be in the heart of the library’s activity but still value a defined personal space. For those readers, higher-back chairs like the Coy Armchair from Keilhauer offer a subtle sense of enclosure. The side wings at head height create just enough of a visual and psychological boundary, while still allowing the user to engage with their surroundings—another perfect example of the “prospect and refuge” principle, where people feel safest and most relaxed when they can see their environment while still feeling supported.

For older adults, mobility can become more of a concern, so we often incorporate easier access seating that allows for greater independence. The Rowen Conversation chair by OFS is a great option, offering a taller than average seat height, a mid-rise back and arms for comfort. This design supports longer reading sessions and reduces strain when sitting down or standing up, giving patrons more freedom and confidence as they navigate the space.

Color plays a critical role throughout all of these designs. It can energize, calm, guide, and inspire. In children’s areas, we lean into bold, cheerful hues and playful patterns that spark curiosity and excitement. In contrast, quiet zones and study areas benefit from softer, more muted tones that promote focus and relaxation. Public spaces like lobbies and cafés are great places to incorporate a mix—inviting pops of color to catch the eye, grounded by more neutral tones that keep the space balanced. Color sets the emotional tone of a space, helping people feel more connected to their environment and to each other.

When we approach a library project, we combine this understanding of human behavior, comfort, color psychology, and accessibility to create spaces that feel intentional, inviting, and full of possibility. So, the next time you visit your local library, take a moment to notice how the furniture makes you feel. What calls to you that day—a quiet corner, a sunny seat with a view, a cozy nook? Wherever you land, grab a book, settle in, and Color Our World!

https://www.steelcase.com/products/education-lounge-seating/brody/

https://keilhauer.com/product-family/coy/?main_category=528&sub_category=546

https://ofs.com/products/seating/lounge/rowen-conversation