A few weeks back we picked the perfect spot for our home library. Last week, we went through many bookshelf design ideas to make place for our books. Today, to wrap up our book lover series, we see how to create a cosy reading nook.
How To Set Up A Cosy Reading Nook
There are two parts to making any space just right for use. First, and most importantly, it has to be right functionally. Do you have space to keep your books? Is there place to sit and read them? Do you have enough light to read in?
Next, especially for a place of leisure, is that it has to be aesthetically pleasing. When you sit down to relax and unwind, you want the vibes of that space to help you do just that.
Combine both and you have designed a perfect space to hang out in. We’re going to do just that to make our cosy reading nook. So let’s list down all the things you’ll need to create one…
(1) A Comfortable Chair
The first thing you need to be able to read a book, is a place to sit and read it. That much, I think, is obvious. So let’s start with a chair.
This chair below is a beauty. But would I really want to sink into it and read a book? Could I really sink into it and read a book? And hence, the emphasis on ‘comfortable’.
Make sure your chair is soft and well cushioned.
Somewhere you can lean back and relax with your book.
Source (I could only trace this pic to Pinterest. Any help to credit the rightful owner will be welcome)
Or quite literally sink into it!
In fact, a bean bag chair is a great idea for a cosy reading nook.
Do you remember this bean bag we had placed in the reading nook in our red and blue bedroom?
Add A Foot Stool
Once you do sink into a chair, the next thing you’ll want to do is put your feet up.
So having a foot stool in front of your chair is a good idea.
You could use a small stool to support your feet, or a large pouffe to support your entire leg.
Use A Sofa
If you have enough space, you could use a sofa instead of a chair.
It not only helps when you have company, you can also use it to lie back and truly sink in with your favourite book.
Your cosy reading nook for yourself can become a cosy reading nook for your entire family.
Use A Chaise Or A Day-Bed
A chaise or a day-bed works just like a sofa would.
Except, that because of the built in back rest, it’s easier to support your back while you read.
Day-beds are a great place to build your reading nook around.
If your bookshelves are along your day-bed it becomes all the more convenient.
Use The Floor
If all else fails, organise some floor seating.
A couple of mattresses laid one on top of the other is the simplest way to make yourself some comfortable seating.
Source (I could only trace this pic to Pinterest. Any help to credit the rightful owner will be welcome)
If you laid out your mattress next to your books you’d never have to leave your bed at all!
Use A Swing Or A Rocking Chair
There’s nothing like being able to rock yourself gently with your favourite book in your hand.
So if you have space for a swing, it is a great option to put into a reading nook.
Else, a rocking chair is a great idea too.
(2) Sufficient Light
The next most important thing to enable you to read, is sufficient light in your reading nook. If you are in the planning stages of a room makeover, remember to place a ceiling light above your reading chair.
If you have picked a secluded corner, not too well lit, there are many ways to add a reading light afterwards.
A tall floor lamp is a great option as you can position it to light up your book from behind your shoulder.
An adjustable wall sconce can also work the same way.
Else get a table lamp with a flexi-arm that you can move to focus the light on your book.
(3) Keep A Table Close By
The next essential for your cozy reading nook is a table.
Imagine sitting down with your favourite book, with a cup of hot chocolate (or wine) on a relaxed evening… and then having no place to keep your cup.
A table next to you is always handy in a reading nook.
A small one works too, if the space is less.
Or you can have an upholstered stool double up as a place to keep your odds and ends.. and your feet up while you read.
A large ottoman works the same way. You can use trays to keep your food and drinks on it and it will serve you as a centre table. Put your feet up on it when required. Or use it for a friend to sit on if they decide to join you in your cosy reading nook.
(4) Cushions & Throws
Now that we have our essentials in place, let’s start making our reading nook cosy. Cushions help support your back better, especially if you are going to be sitting in one place for hours.
Source (I could only trace this pic to Pinterest. Any help to credit the rightful owner will be welcome)
Layer up with a whole lot of cushions that you can snuggle into when you start reading.
Having a throw at hand when the evening gets chilly, or the AC too cold, also helps to make your nook cosy.
(5) Candles & Plants
And finally, surround your nook with things you love, to help you relax instantly. Green, even as a colour, is supposed to be calming and comforting. So surrounding yourself with plants is a great way to get yourself to relax.
Source (I could only trace this pic to Pinterest. Any help to credit the rightful owner will be welcome)
You can also use fragrances to help you unwind. Candle and incense in your favourite scents work like magic.
Source (I could only trace this pic to Pinterest. Any help to credit the rightful owner will be welcome)
Some fresh flowers and twinkling lights maybe, to make your reading nook perfectly cosy.
Tips From Our Readers
You can see how getting these basic elements right can make a perfectly cozy reading nook which would be any book lover’s delight. Once you pick up a book, there will be more than one reason to not put it down!
Some of readers, though, already know the secret of styling the perfect reading nook and have been kind enough to share their pretty spaces with us.
Shefali From @goboho.decor
This pretty corner styled by Shefali of @goboho.decor is not just a treat to the eye, it’s also perfectly planned. A comfortable floor seat where you can easily stretch your legs, a table to keep books and other essentials, cushions for comfort and lots of pretty things to make you feel happy just by sitting here. It’s the perfect kind of cosy for a reading nook.
Here is what Shefali has to say about it. “This cosy nook was made as a temporary “escape” to chill in, in our living room. Since going out is restricted, we keep making such fun corners at home to keep us from getting bored of sitting in the same space and working. To add the feel of an escape, we chose comfortable low seating, rugs and greenery! Blue is always very soothing to the eyes, so we used blue as the dominant colour here”
Brunda From @my_humble.abode
We love this beautifully styled reading nook by Brunda of @my_humble.abode too. A bookshelf, which can also serve as a side table, cushions for comfort, lots of green vibes and that rocking chair which looks like a dream come true.
Here is how Brunda describes her space. “Over the years, I have developed a love for reading books and so I thought of creating a cozy place for it. I achieved it by a fusion of contemporary and traditional Indian decor, restulting into this aesthetic reading corner. Now I look forward to sit back and enjoy my personal space..”
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You can see how, by keeping the above tips in mind, you can easily create a cozy reading nook for yourself. I hope you’ve found enough ideas in here to inspire you to make your own reading nook. Do share pictures of your cosy spaces with me when you’re done.
Until then,
