How to create a reading nook anywhere in your home
I found myself hunched over a book at my kitchen counter.
Twenty minutes in, my neck felt like I’d been carrying bricks all day. The overhead light was so harsh I kept squinting. And my book kept sliding every time I shifted position.
That’s when it hit me. I was treating reading like admin work instead of an escape.
But here’s what I discovered after designing dozens of homes:
Every house needs a good reading spot.
Not just any chair. A dedicated cosy nook that makes you want to disappear for hours.
And no, you don’t need a fancy bay window or built-in seating to make it happen.
Let me show you how to create your own little hideaway…
Find Your Sweet Spot
Your reading nook doesn’t need to be fancy.
It just needs to feel tucked away. Slightly separate from the chaos of daily life.
Look for:
An empty corner of your living room
That awkward space under a window
A forgotten section of your bedroom
Even an unused bit of hallway
If you naturally drift somewhere with your morning coffee, you’ve found your spot.
Credit: Stephen Kent Johnson (left) & The study in Douglas Mackie’s Marylebone flat Photo by Simon Upton (right)
Get the Chair Right (This Matters More Than You Think)
This is where most people typically make mistakes.
They grab any old chair and wonder why reading feels uncomfortable.
Your reading chair needs to be:
Soft enough to sink into (but not disappear completely)
Good back support
Wide enough to curl up with your legs tucked under
Don’t have the perfect chair? A bench with cushions works. Even floor cushions can create magic with the right setup.
But please – no dining chairs. Your back will hate you.
Credit: Style by Emily Henderson (left) & Eric Piasecki (right)
Layer Like You Mean It
You know that “I could hibernate here all winter” feeling?
That comes from proper layering.
Here’s the formula:
One good throw blanket (soft, maybe with some texture)
Two pillows: one large for back support, one smaller for cuddling
A rug underneath (even if you already have carpet)
This isn’t decoration. It’s comfort engineering.
The layers create that nest-like feeling that makes you want to stay put and actually finish that book collecting dust on your nightstand.
Credit: Alanna Hale (left) & Tim Lenz / Barrett Oswald Designs (right)
Fix Your Lighting (Please)
Reading under harsh overhead lights is like trying to have a romantic dinner under fluorescent tubes.
It ruins everything.
For your nook, you need warm, focused light. Think:
A floor lamp angled over your shoulder
Wall sconces if space is tight
A table lamp with a fabric shade
Look for bulbs around 2700K-3000K. That’s the golden, cosy glow that makes evening reading actually relaxing.
Credit: Gil Schafer (left) & Chantal Lamers (right)
Give Yourself a Landing Spot
Even tiny nooks need somewhere to put your tea.
Or your book when you need to stretch. Or that snack you’ve been dying to try.
A small side table is ideal. But a stack of books works. Even a narrow floating shelf if floor space is precious.
Just don’t try to balance everything on the arm of your chair. That way lies spilled drinks and book casualties.
Credit: Bed Threads (left) & Photo by Lacey Alexander (right)
Add One Living Thing
I know, I know. Not everyone has green thumbs.
But even one small plant makes a reading nook feel alive. Calm. More like a retreat and less like a corner with furniture.
Go low-maintenance: pothos, snake plant, or even some dried eucalyptus if you’re plant-phobic.
Trust me on this one. It’s the difference between a reading corner and a reading sanctuary.
Credit: Heidi Caillier Design (left) & Dean Hearne (right)
Actually Use It
Here’s the thing about creating beautiful spaces…
They only work if you actually use them.
Grab that book you’ve been meaning to read. The one that’s been judging you from the coffee table.
Permit yourself to disappear for a bit.
Your cosy nook is waiting.