Cozy Reading Nook Ideas

How to set up a room of your own for curling up with a good book.

As an avid reader and book collector, I’ve always dreamed of having a whole room dedicated to books in my house — a home library complete with rolling ladder! But then I actually got a house and realized that keeping up an entire room full of books would be a lot of work, I didn’t actually have nearly enough books to fill it, and it’s maybe not the best use of space in general.

So … instead, now I dream of turning a corner of my home into a functional reading nook. It would feature all my favorite books, of course, but also a warm spot for getting lost in a good story. All you need is a comfy chair, a bookshelf, a source of light, and a charming side table for placing a warm cup of tea. Oh, and of course many, many throw pillows.

Grab the window seat

Big window, soft bench — what else do you need in life? It almost doesn’t matter what the weather is doing outside; even if it’s raining or snowing (especially if it’s raining or snowing), curling up with a good book by the window is just about the coziest thing you can possibly do. 

Safdie Rabines

Introduce a quirky chair 

Placing any type of interesting seating next to a bookshelf instantly turns it into a reading nook — you heard it here first! A chair swing is, of course, eye-catching, but one of those snug egg chairs, any type of accent chair, or even a plush overstuffed loveseat would work well too. 

i.hate.wednesdays

Turn a loft into a library

There’s something inherently cozy about a loft space, making it the perfect spot for a secret reading nook. I love how they just threw down a fluffy rug and a bunch of pillows in this setup.

LifeWithoutPink

Breathe life into dead space 

It’s so satisfying to be able to turn an oddly shaped space in your home into something functional. In my cousin’s house, there’s space on the second floor landing that doesn’t have a clear purpose, and they put some beanbag chairs and bookshelves there. In my daughter’s room, there’s an alcove similar to the one in the following picture, so we wedged in a cushioned sitting bench. 

Lupito Aquino

Get cozy under the stairs

A lot of homes have this half-space under the stairs that can be salvaged with wall shelves and a whimsical chair or daybed. Don’t let this perfectly good spot go to waste!