How to Make a Cozy Reading Nook

A cozy reading nook allows you to relax, at the same time providing a more immersive reading experience. These tips emphasize on how to create nooks that cater to your taste and comfort.

If you’re an avid reader like me, you enjoy curling up with a good book after a long day of work or in your downtime. 

Reading is a deeply personal and engrossing experience. However, reading in an uncomfortable spot in your house could affect your reading experience. 

It might cause distractions, disrupting your ability to enjoy your book simply because the environment is not conducive.

Sitting in an uncomfortable space could also lead to body pains, discouraging you from reading further. That’s why you must elevate your experience by making your reading nook an inviting environment.  

I’ve compiled this listicle on how to implement coziness into your reading nook to ensure an optimal reading experience. 

Table of Contents

• 1.  Find the Perfect Spot for your Cozy Reading Nook
• 2.  Comfortable Furniture
• 3. Use Rugs 
• 4.  Great Lighting
• 5. Integrate Soft Fabric
• 6.  Customize your Reading Nook
• 7.  Create a Comfortable Atmosphere
• 8.  Organize your Books 
• Conclusion

1. Find the Perfect Spot for your Cozy Reading Nook

If you get easily distracted like I do, find a quiet and secluded spot away from high-traffic and noisy areas. If you live in a noisy area, consider using curtains and dividers to create a semi-private reading nook.  

If you live in a small house or apartment, space could be limited, this can be solved by clearing a corner of your bedroom. Whether you live in a small house or a large mansion doesn’t matter.

On or off a budget, creating a cozy reading nook is possible as long as you have the materials needed.

Another way to find a cozy reading corner is to leverage transitional spaces in your home. They’re those extra spaces in your hallways, courtyards, staircases, and verandas you can transform into a cozy reading nook, as long as they don’t get much traffic from other members of your home. 

As you can see in the example below, the reading nook is under the staircase, where people don’t frequently go;

Furthermore, if you have a spare room, you can convert it into a reading room if you want something more private.

2. Comfortable Furniture

The type of furniture you choose will determine how cozy your reading nook will be. 

Start with choosing a piece of comfortable furniture to sit on. This could be chaise lounges, armchairs, or beanbags. If you want to add a little style, consider boho chairs for a vintage look, like this mid-century floral boho chair;  

Whatever chair style you choose, ensure you can sit on it for hours without feeling uncomfortable.

There is a wide array of comfortable reading chairs you can choose from, but first, you have to consider your style. Are you more of a modern design person, or do you vibe with retro more?

Deliberate on your best reading position as well, do you prefer lying down or do you enjoy sitting upright? The position you love the most should tell you the most appropriate chair you need to get for your reading nook.

Lastly, combine it with the right side table to put your cup of beverage or reading glasses on.  

3. Use Rugs

Define your reading nook with a thick and comfy rug. This can make your space warm and cozy while outlining it from the rest of your room. 

For example, this rug with a mix of black, gray, and gold adds to an elegant interior while looking cozy.

Source: Rugsociety

RugSource is a great brand that offers a wide spectrum of rugs. You can get custom rugs that will fit your style, quality, and value, especially if you’re picky. You can shop from their store at nice discounts as well.

Additionally, a rug can be handy if you want to create a reading nook in a bigger space and want to visually separate it from the rest of the room.

4. Great Lighting

Lighting is vital to any cozy reading corner. A desk or floor lamp will provide task lighting you can use to read. Task lightings are lights that help you see while doing specific tasks. 

Wall sconces, warm lamp lights, and ceiling lights will give you ambient lighting, which is the main lighting that illuminates your room. However, fairy lights will give your space an enchanting look like the example below;

Source: Pinterest

In addition, if your reading nook is near a window, a white, sheer voile curtain will diffuse the natural light, so you can bask in its warm glow while you enjoy your book. The light can also improve your mood and concentration.

You can use the different types of lighting mentioned above to set the mood for your space. Mood lighting will create a comfortable reading atmosphere for you. 

I created a Pinterest board filled with warm lamp lights necessary for adding warmth to your living space, do check it out.

5. Integrate Soft Fabric

Nothing says “comfy” more than soft materials that calm you down and aid relaxation. Include soft blankets and cushions to provide more comfort for those long reading sessions.

You can select different materials like wool and cotton. It depends on your preferences and weather conditions.  

Source: Criscollective

Pick fabrics that match your reading nook’s style, like a velvet cushion for a more classy space.

6. Customize your Reading Nook

Add some personal touches to your reading nook to make it more inviting. This means adding things that showcase your interests, personality, and style. 

Consider using artwork to make your space beautiful and give it character. Art in your cozy reading nook can also stimulate creativity, and bring a unique charm to it. 

Source: Mostlovelythings

You can buy artworks that reflect your favorite genres, but the goal is to choose something that gives you joy and tranquility.

Adding plants can also bring in a touch of nature. They can provide natural beauty and lower your stress levels. If your nook is close to a window, placing indoor plants nearby will allow it to thrive. 

Source: Oprahdaily

But if your reading space doesn’t get much light, don’t worry! You can plant various low-light plants, like nerve plants, rattlesnake calathea, and Chinese evergreens.

Lastly, include precious family pictures and treasured mementos. All these things will allow your reading nook to reflect your personality, making it more cozy.

7. Create a Comfortable Atmosphere

A comfortable atmosphere is vital to creating a cozy reading nook, and it will change the space into your own little world.  

Start by getting scented candles to create a more immersive experience. A unique scent can make the atmosphere peaceful and your reading more pleasant and engaging.

Source: Pinterest

Moreover, have your favorite mug of beverages nearby. A hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate can increase your comfort when reading.

8. Organize your Books

Don’t let the fact that you’re designing the perfect reading corner overshadow the importance of organizing your books. Your reading space isn’t complete without your book collection. Books on your to-read list should be organized nearby for easy accessibility.

A bookshelf is the best way to organize your books, adding a library kinda vibe to your cozy reading nook. You can use a utility cart like the one shown below to place books on your to-read list.

Section your books into genres and add different storage options to your space. This allows for a more creative and functional reading corner. I value functionality so I try to look for ways to increase the design and quality of my living space whilst being functional.

Source: Oprahdaily

The utility cart’s portability allows you to take your favorite books anywhere in your home. Plus, you can use its extra tiers to store your reading accessories like reading glasses and bookmarks.

Whatever you choose, the objective is to create a corner that displays your collection and improves the general vibe of your cozy reading nook.   

Conclusion

One of the main benefits of creating a cozy reading nook is that it can improve your reading habits. It increases the pleasure you derive from reading and encourages you to do it daily. 

How you design your reading corner depends on your style and comfort preferences. But if you’re a reader like me, you understand the value of a great book and a little privacy to make your day a little brighter. That’s why you must use these tips and tricks to achieve this.