There are many reasons why you might want to have a designated space for reading in your home. Perhaps you love to read and want to be able to do so in a space particularly designed for this purpose that is tucked away from distractions. Maybe you have younger children whom you are trying to teach to read and would like a specific place in your home where you can do so. Whatever your reason may be, a reading space can be the perfect addition to any home.
Depending on what sort of space you have to work with, you might have to get creative when designing your reading nook. There are a few key elements, though, that you are going to want to be sure to include so that your reading space is as comfortable and inviting as possible. You might just find yourself unable to leave your lovely reading nook at all!
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Jump Ahead To:
Start with the Seating
The first thing that you will want to look into is the type of seating for your reading space. Are you going to want to accommodate more than one person with a small sofa or a pair of armchairs? If so, the amount of space that you will need to have available might need to be more substantial. On the other hand, if you are looking to design a space that is all your own for when you need to retreat from things for a while, you can get by with comfortable seating for one.
Once you know how much space you have to work with, the next thing you will need to consider is the amount of support that you need. If you are a student who needs to be fully alert when reading for class, you will want to go with seating that is a bit more structured and supported. Readers who like to cozy up with a novel on a rainy day can opt for something more comfortable and inviting, though.
If you are looking to relax and don’t really mind if you doze off while reading, you might consider a bit of a funky yet completely comfortable alternative to an armchair. A large, cozy bean bag chair might be just the thing to make your reading nook as comfortable as it can be. You can find a well-priced and top-quality lovesac alternative that will make for the perfect seating for your reading space.
Look into Storage
Once you have found the perfect seating for your reading nook, you will want to explore storage options for the space. You most likely have a number of books that you will want to keep handy for those free afternoons when you can really dive into one of your favorite books. You might also want a place to keep random things like a notebook and pen or a phone charger as well.
There are a great many options out there as far as bookcases are concerned, and some even come with extra drawers and additional storage options. The main deciding factor here is going to be the amount of space that you have available. If you have the room to go on the larger side, why not opt for a bigger bookcase that really makes a statement from a design standpoint? If your space is on the smaller end of the scale, you can always find more compact bookcase options as well.
If you are really limited on space, you can get creative with options aside from a bookcase. For instance, you can go for a few reinforced shelves for your wall. Just make sure that they are able to bear the weight of any books that you wish to store on them. Having your books displayed in such a way can really give your reading space an interesting focal point from a design perspective.
Consider the Lighting
The next important thing that you will want to figure out regarding your perfect reading space is the lighting. If you are lucky enough to have a free window that can flood the space with natural light, then your daytime reading will be covered. However, even spaces with natural light will need to have some sort of light fixture for when the sun goes down.
There are a variety of options when it comes to lighting for your reading nook. If you have the space for it, you might want to have some sort of overhead light installed. Just make sure that it is concentrated in some way on your seating so that your pages will be properly illuminated. Most people prefer a more direct light in the form of a lamp for reading purposes, though.
Some freestanding lamps come with additional fixtures that can be targeted directly where you want the light to fall. There are also some more vintage-looking freestanding lamps that can add a fun feel to the space. If you have a small side table next to your seating, you might wish to go even more direct with a desk lamp of sorts that can be directly pointed at your book while you read. Whatever option you go with from a design perspective, make sure that you go with a light bulb that is ideal for reading.
Personalize the Space
The last thing that you should do when designing your reading nook is add in some personal touches to make the space your own. If you have a favorite photo, place it in a nice frame that complements the space and hang it on the wall over your reading chair. Another great choice for wall décor would be a framed poster of your favorite book cover. Don’t be afraid to add in some color as well. Even though you probably want to keep the space relatively mellow from a color perspective, adding a pop of brightness with a throw pillow or small rug can add another fun element to your new reading nook.
