What’s better than finding the perfect spot to read your favorite books? The answer is making sure that your reading spot is cozy and comfortable. In order to achieve a cosy environment, take a comfy chair, some storage space for your books, and design the perfect reading spot with our reading nook ideas.
As a qualified English teacher, I am always extolling the pleasure of reading. I model this by reading myself but have also always made sure that I have great books at home for my kids to read. I have written previously 12 Practical Ways To Encourage Reading At Home and Fun Games To Help Build Your Child’s Reading Skills because I can’t overestimate just how important reading at home is for children’s development.
Choose your reading corner
Sure, many of us can only dream of being able to dedicate an entire room to our home library, but there’s really no need. Sure, a larger space will allow you to house more books, but what’s better than a cozy reading nook where we can sit with our cup of tea in a quiet spot? Not much!
This is why we recommend finding an area in your home that can offer some seclusion. It doesn’t have to be a reading room. A cozy corner in the main living spaces will work if you can make it a quiet space and a designated reading area.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect place for your reading nook, it’s time to bring it to life.
Find good seating
Sure, reading a book on your living room sofa may sound like a perfectly good idea, but it’s not a great way to have that intimate space that a reading nook gives us. This is why it’s ideal to have designated seating exclusive to your reading nook. An ideal reading nook will have a comfortable chair, like bean bag chairs from big bertha orginal, or a chaise lounge. If your reading nook is smaller, perhaps a built-in bench or a window seat may make more sense space wise. Either way, good seating tailored to the reading nook is the best place to start.
Figure out your storage solutions
Once you have the right corner and the right chair, the next step is to find the right storage for your books. If you want to have your entire library of books at your disposal, and you have the space, then built-in bookshelves are a brilliant choice. If space is limited then perhaps a small table or a side table with a drawer can work. This will let you keep your current book and your next book to hand. The perfect space is the one that is made custom to your lifestyle, space, and taste.
Pick your lighting
The perfect reading nook should have good lighting. Natural lighting is always ideal, but during those long winter evenings or at night you need lighting that allows you to fully enjoy the reading nook. You can choose wall lights or wall sconces. Or if you don’t want to add new lights specifically for the reading nook, floor lamps are perfect too.
If you want a more bohemian or relaxed reading nook, or maybe you’ll be designing a reading nook for the kids, use string lights. These lights will give a softer light that will still be bright enough for reading under, but relaxing as well. When you are choosing your bulbs do go for a warmer lightbulb as the color temperature also affects the ambience.
Make the space yours
Now that you’ve chosen the basic elements of your reading nook, like the perfect seating space, it’s time to add all of the details to make it a cozy nook. Along with good seating, why not add some floor pillows? This is perfect in case your little reader will also be using the space or you’ll be reading to your kids.
Here are the essentials for a great nook;
- comfy seating,
- good storage for your books,
- great lighting,
- a soft rug,
- plush cushions,
- cozy blankets, and of course,
- your favorite books!
As you can see, even if you don’t have a lot of space in your home, you can create a cozy space that anyone with a love of books can enjoy for years to come.
One Response
LOVE this, every home needs at least one reading nook! Personally, I have a wingback chair positioned right by a skylight, its my favourite place in the whole house. The kids have one in their playhouse, although it’s going to need updating soon as my eldest is getting too tall for it. Those beanbag chairs look lovely, much neater than the giant beanbags we currently have.