How To Create A Snug Reading Nook That Represents You

Reading nooks – we know what they are but we’r e not sure how to describe them. Reading nooks are cozy, warm and small spaces designed to provide the perfect ambient for reading and relaxing. You can add such a feature to your own home if you don’t already have it. Since it’s meant to be small and snug, it doesn’t take up much space so you can have a reading nook even if you’re living in a small apartment. That being said, we’ll now guide you through the most important steps that will help you create your very own reading spot.

First things first: pick a spot. It’s not as easy and looking around and choosing a room corner at random. It’s important to choose the right space and to consider multiple option before doing so. Decide what configuration you want for your reading nook. Should it be one of the unused corners in your home, a cozy space in the attic, a window nook, a special area under the staircase or do you have something else entirely in mind? Whatever option you choose, make sure that the reading nook (when completed) looks and feels like a natural extension of the space it’s in.

When choosing the seating, consider the fact that you might not be the only one using the reading nook
When choosing the seating, consider the fact that you might not be the only one using the reading nook
Don't overcomplicate the space with too much furniture or too many decorations
Don’t overcomplicate the space with too much furniture or too many decorations
It's very important to be comfortable so pick a comfy chair that you feel snug in
It’s very important to be comfortable so pick a comfy chair that you feel snug in
Always personalize a reading nook. This makes it feel extra inviting and comfortable
Always personalize a reading nook. This makes it feel extra inviting and comfortable
Decorate the walls of your reading corner with framed photos or paintings
Decorate the walls of your reading corner with framed photos or paintings
A side table is a must in a reading nook. Without it the space feels incomplete
A side table is a must in a reading nook. Without it the space feels incomplete

Once you’ve decided where your future reading nook will be, go ahead and find some comfortable seating for it.  Again, there are several different options to choose from. You could opt for a rocking chair, a lounge chair, an armchair, a pouf, a bench or even something less conventional such as a hanging bed, a swing or floor pillows. Whatever option you choose, it should first of all be comfortable but it should also reflect your style. In other words, if you prefer formal settings as opposed to casual decors, perhaps a pouf or a floor pillow is not the best choice for you.

Now that you’ve chosen a location and something comfortable to sit on, it’s time to add some storage to your reading nook. After all, you need to keep those favorite books somewhere. Take into consideration the other potential items that you’d like to keep there which could include things like some comfy extra pillows, a blanket, a table lamp, maybe some headphones, a small speaker for ambient music or a dock for your phone. You need to be smart about storage so look for options that don’t take up much space and don’t clutter the area unnecessarily. Open shelves are probably the most common option but, depending on the type of seating you choose, you could also have built-in storage under a bench or inside an ottoman, even into the frame of an armchair.

A hanging chair can be a great seating option for a reading nook
A hanging chair can be a great seating option for a reading nook
Make sure the lighting is just right, not too strong but not too obscure either
Make sure the lighting is just right, not too strong but not too obscure either
A comfortable armchair in the corner of a bedroom can be all you need to set up a reading nook
A comfortable armchair in the corner of a bedroom can be all you need to set up a reading nook
Make good use of an unused corner in the living room to create a cozy reading spot
Make good use of an unused corner in the living room to create a cozy reading spot
Keep the decor in your reading nook simple and relaxing and don;t include distracting elements
Keep the decor in your reading nook simple and relaxing and don;t include distracting elements
Ottomans are great because they can double as tables and go well with lounge chairs
Ottomans are great because they can double as tables and go well with lounge chairs
If you're using a table lamp, make sure it's positioned right and that the light falls at a comfortable angle
If you’re using a table lamp, make sure it’s positioned right and that the light falls at a comfortable angle
Add an area rug to make your reading nook feel extra cozy and to give it personality
Add an area rug to make your reading nook feel extra cozy and to give it personality
Provide a serene backdrop for your reading nook. You can achieve that with wallpaper
Provide a serene backdrop for your reading nook. You can achieve that with wallpaper
If you feel like the space is tiny and cluttered, opt for glass tables for a more open decor
If you feel like the space is tiny and cluttered, opt for glass tables for a more open decor
Floor lamps are very practical and often preferred in reading nooks
Floor lamps are very practical and often preferred in reading nooks
If you think a floor lamp would take up too much space, how about a pendant lamp instead?
If you think a floor lamp would take up too much space, how about a pendant lamp instead?
Matching sets of lounge chairs and footstools or ottomans are perfect for reading nooks
Matching sets of lounge chairs and footstools or ottomans are perfect for reading nooks
You can separate your reading nook from the rest of the room using curtains or a divider
You can separate your reading nook from the rest of the room using curtains or a divider
A daybed or a chaise longue can turn out to be great if you fall asleep while reading
A daybed or a chaise longue can turn out to be great if you fall asleep while reading
It's usually best to position the reading nook close to a window or a source of natural light
It’s usually best to position the reading nook close to a window or a source of natural light
A shelving unit can be very practical in a reading nook and can even eliminate the need for a table
A shelving unit can be very practical in a reading nook and can even eliminate the need for a table
When setting up your reading nook, make sure it looks good in the context of the space it's in
When setting up your reading nook, make sure it looks good in the context of the space it’s in
If you're not the only one who likes to read, then add an extra chair or two
If you’re not the only one who likes to read, then add an extra chair or two
Room corners are the most common placement option for reading nooks
Room corners are the most common placement option for reading nooks
A symmetrical setup can be both practical and stylish, especially in a more traditional decor
A symmetrical setup can be both practical and stylish, especially in a more traditional decor
Personalize and customize your reading nook in whatever way you see fit
Personalize and customize your reading nook in whatever way you see fit
A modern reading nook need a modern decor and this lamp pretty much covers that
A modern reading nook need a modern decor and this lamp pretty much covers that
The lighting shouldn't be too bright and shouldn't overpower the space. Edison bulbs are great for reading
The lighting shouldn’t be too bright and shouldn’t overpower the space. Edison bulbs are great for reading
Creating a comfortable and soothing ambiance in your reading nook by choosing suitable colors
Creating a comfortable and soothing ambiance in your reading nook by choosing suitable colors
If you don't have much to store, a comfortable chair and a small table should be all your reading nook needs
If you don’t have much to store, a comfortable chair and a small table should be all your reading nook needs
In some cases, a desk can be a good addition to the reading nook (for taking notes for instance)
In some cases, a desk can be a good addition to the reading nook (for taking notes for instance)
A few bold color accents can really make a reading nook pop without taking away its cozy appeal
A few bold color accents can really make a reading nook pop without taking away its cozy appeal

We already mentioned tables and ottomans so let’s expand this a bit. A reading nook is incomplete without a side table or some other surface on which to keep a book, a phone, a glass of water and other things you might like to have close-by while reading. There’s no need for a big table so don’t waste space with one. If you want, you can add an ottoman which can sort of double as a table when needed.

If you want, you can turn a small hallway into a reading space
If you want, you can turn a small hallway into a reading space
The height of the lamp and the angle of the light determine how warm and cozy a reading nook really is
The height of the lamp and the angle of the light determine how warm and cozy a reading nook really is
A reading nook can also be used as an intimate seating area or it can merge with the living room when needed
A reading nook can also be used as an intimate seating area or it can merge with the living room when needed
Plan the reading nook in relation with the rest of the room in order to be cohesive
Plan the reading nook in relation with the rest of the room in order to be cohesive
You can use one of the armchairs and side tables in the living room as a reading nook setup
You can use one of the armchairs and side tables in the living room as a reading nook setup
If possible, set up your reading nook in a sunny space with access to direct sunlight
If possible, set up your reading nook in a sunny space with access to direct sunlight

By now you pretty much have everything in place. Still, the reading corner is incomplete and that’s because we haven’t discussed lighting yet. Ideally, you should have a combination of ambient and focused lighting in your reading nook. Too much or too little light can be uncomfortable for the eyes and there’s really no point to even have a reading nook if you can’t read comfortably while there. Floor lamps are the most common option but if you want to save floor space pendant lamps are just as practical.

Choose a color palette that inspired you but that also has a calming effect
Choose a color palette that inspired you but that also has a calming effect
Keep a footstool nearby in case you want to stretch your legs while reading
Keep a footstool nearby in case you want to stretch your legs while reading
A small sofa or daybed can be a good replacement for the chair
A small sofa or daybed can be a good replacement for the chair
One of the bedroom corners can be a perfect spot for the reading nook
One of the bedroom corners can be a perfect spot for the reading nook
Personalize the space with some wallpaper for a nice backdrop
Personalize the space with some wallpaper for a nice backdrop
This type of setup could potentially satisfy the need for a more formal decor
This type of setup could potentially satisfy the need for a more formal decor

At this point your reading nook is more or less complete. All that’s left to do is a give it some character and you can do that by hanging some framed photos on the wall. creating custom wall art, adding a cozy area rug, some nice window treatments or decorating the shelves with fresh plants. It’s up to you to find an idea that represents you so be creative but don’t overthink the process. It’s easy to get carried away when there’s so much you want to include in the design of your reading nook and so little space to work with.

Surround yourself with colors, textures and materials that you like
Surround yourself with colors, textures and materials that you like
Your first priority should also be your comfort. Everything else can be figured out later on
Your first priority should also be your comfort. Everything else can be figured out later on
This seems like a perfect corner setup. It's simple, stylish and, by the looks of it, comfortable as well
This seems like a perfect corner setup. It’s simple, stylish and, by the looks of it, comfortable as well
Satisfy your love for beauty and comfort with a lounge chair that offers both
Satisfy your love for beauty and comfort with a lounge chair that offers both