This is a collaborative post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A reading nook is a special place in your home where you can go to escape. You can get comfortable, focus your mind and enjoy a good book. Utter bliss!
Your reading nook could be a seat in the window, looking out over your garden. It could be your balcony, your shed, your bed or even just your sofa. What matters is that you create a space where you can fully rest, relax and enjoy a long reading session alone.
How can you create a cosy reading nook in your home?
Here’s how to build a cosy reading nook in your home, whether you rent a tiny flat or you own a huge mansion. There’s always space – you just have to look for it!
1. Choose your space
Your reading nook can go anywhere. You don’t need lots of space to create the perfect reading corner. Look around your home, and decide where you will feel most comfortable, happy and focused.
For me, that’s the sofa next to one of my bookshelves. This is where I like to read in the evenings or afternoons. The sofa isn’t big, but it’s perfect for a cosy reading afternoon.
I like that I can simply reach out to choose a different book – and I purposefully store my poetry and short story collections on those shelves. If I fancy dipping in and out of a book, I have lots of options.
2. Move your furniture
If you’re looking to maximise space in a small home, move your furniture to best suit your needs. Moving furniture will give you a different perspective on your home and help you come up with new ideas to free up space.
My parents recently rearranged their living room by removing some pieces of furniture and moving others. This created a little more space, which they then used to build a cosy reading, working and chilling area.
Explore unconventional spaces for your reading nook. I always find that sitting in a new spot – even if it’s just on my living room floor – gives me new ideas. It doesn’t matter where you sit, as long as you’re comfortable.
3. Make your reading nook calm and cosy
There’s no point creating a reading nook that isn’t comfortable! If you actually want to use your book nook, you need to make it as cosy and restful as possible.
Pad your space with plenty of cushions and blankets – and use candles or soft lighting for a gentle, calm reading space.
If you’re building a reading nook in a new house or renovated living space, make sure to paint the walls with calm colours, such as neutral tones or pastels.
If you live in a small space with friends and family, use noise-cancelling headphones and heavy curtains to block out any distractions.
4. Add a personal touch
Make your reading nook your own by adding plenty of personal touches. You might decorate your reading space with your favourite book posters, quotes or candles, for example.
It’s just about creating a space that really feels like yours. It’s somewhere you can go when you need to read, write and get inspired.
I find that doing small things like making myself a cup of tea signals to my brain that I’m ready for a bit of creative time. Use these small, personal rituals to create a fun and focused reading space for yourself.
5. Bring the books
No reading nook would be complete without books. Many, many, many books! I recommend bringing a selection of books to choose from, such as poetry, short stories, fiction and non-fiction. You can focus on just one novel, or dip in and out of a few volumes.
Surround your cosy reading nook with bookshelves to feel fully immersed – or simply pick up your trusty paperback for a few hours of uninterrupted reading.
Do you have a reading nook in your home? How do you maximise space to find time alone? Do you want to create a new reading space in your house?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 