Interior designers reveal their secrets for making a den more inviting (plus: what do with the tons of books that tend to pile up in there).

Sort Colors

“Arrange your books by color. When they’re grouped together with similar hues, the effect is really eye-popping, especially when they’re against stark white bookshelves.” — Robert and Cortney Novogratz, authors of Home by Novogratz (Artisan Books)

Think Soft

“To create a hushed, relaxed feeling, change your furniture to fit the mood: Update your coffee table, either by buying a new one or by repainting or refinishing the one you currently have. Put woven grass paper up on your walls, which helps to muffle sounds, creating a quiet space for reading.” — Alex Papachristidis, author of The Age of Elegance: Interiors by Alex Papachristidis (Rizzoli)

Look Up

“Use a tromp l’oeil wallpaper: Architect David Rockwell applied a custom paper to the walls and ceilings of a private dining room in a Las Vegas restaurant to produce an intimate, clubby effect.” — Linda O’Keeffe, author of Stripes: Design Between the Lines (The Monacelli Press)

Be Transparent
“Instead of bookshelves, think about storing novels in an antique armoire, so that the spines show through the glass and make choosing what you want to read easy.” — Holly Becker, author of Decorate Workshop: Design and Style Your Space in 8 Creative Steps (Chronicle Books)

Add Light

“Lighting can make a dramatic impact: Add wall sconces to the top of each shelving section to highlight your amazing collection of books.” — Kelly Wearstler, author of Rhapsody (Rizzoli)

Written by  Abbe Wright, this story originally appeared on oprah.com