The holiday season is a perfect time
to spend time with those we love and reflect on the year. It’s also an
excellent time to cozy up with a blanket and lose yourself in your favorite
book. But before you dive into that story, why not create a cozy, personalized
space to read and unwind after a long winter’s day? Whether you live in New
York City or Portland, we’ve reached out to the experts to help you transform
that additional or unused space into the perfect reading nook that the whole
family can enjoy for years to come.
Create
a space that inspires you to read
I read over 150 books a year, so a
perfect reading nook is essential! My reading nook is surrounded by books,
which makes me feel inspired and full of possibilities. It's comfortable, quiet
and has lots of natural light. It's a perfect place for reading, repose and
reflection. Make your reading nook unique by surrounding it with things you
love. - Jennifer Caloyeras at Books Are My People
The key to creating a quiet reading
nook is to block out everything else going on in your home so you can
concentrate on your story. I love to put on white noise or spa music to
block out all the tablets, TVs, kids, dogs, and other distracting noises.
I always have earbuds or a BlueTooth speaker within reach of my reading chair.
- Back
Cover Copy
Recognize
what makes you feel most at ease
How to build a cozy reading room is
easy and personal. What makes you feel most at ease? For me, it's soft or
natural lighting, no fluorescent overhead lights on, only lamps or sunlight
coming through a window and always at least one candle. Next, I like to fill
the space with the most comfortable places to sit and put my feet up. A
comfortable armchair with a footrest, or if I can swing it, the very best place
to cozy up and read it in a hammock or swinging chair. - Human Kind
Book Club
Creating a reading space in your
home is about creating a comfortable place you can tuck yourself in. Whether or
not you consider yourself a reader or think you'd use a reading nook, the
possibility is what you're after. An otherwise unused area of your home can be
transformed in a few short steps, be a conversation piece, a place for family
heirlooms, and is a great way to encourage yourself and your children to read.
My own reading space is an inviting respite at the end of a long day and gives
warmth and life to an area that might've just been clutter otherwise, it's a
place where the whole family gravitates toward, and that's exactly what makes
our house a home. - The Ardent Biblio
Know
what you need
When I'm creating the ideal space
for reading, it needs to have 3 things: ergonomic comfort, excellent lighting,
and a place to rest my beverage. Too often, reading nooks look cute and
creative (think charming window benches and "under the stairs"
nooks), but aren't actually that conducive to spending long stretches of time
reading. First and foremost, make sure you have a comfortable place to sit or
lounge. Secondly, lighting is important. Maybe you do best with bright, natural
light, or maybe you prefer to adjust your lighting depending on the time of
day. Will you need a dimmer switch, or maybe light bulbs you can adjust from an
app on your phone? And finally, a reading nook should have a safe place to rest
your beverage of choice. I love drinking hot tea while I'm reading, so having a
place where I can easily reach for my mug is important to me. - Dear English
Major & Home
Scribe Creative
Make
your space a reflection of your spirit
it is imperative that your room
reflects you. This can be with the decor, the furnishings and even the
decision to color code your books instead of organizing by title, author. You
want the space to mirror your personal values/style. - Mahogany
books
Don’t
sacrifice comfort for aesthetic
Aesthetic is important, but don't
forget comfort. No matter how gorgeous your reading nook photographs, you won't
use it if the antique chair's uncomfortable crossbar is jabbing into your back.
And one bonus tip: if you're going to read ambitiously, make sure you have a
dictionary within arm's reach. - Dzanc Books
Be
sure to have plenty of light
Comfy seating and good lighting are
key in creating a cozy reading nook. A window with a view is always an inviting
place to sit. If that's not an option, choose a corner by the fireplace or in a
room with low traffic. Along with an overstuffed chair, add a floor lamp w/
3-way lighting; a small end table for your books, table lamp (in lieu of floor
lamp) and a coaster for your hot cocoa. PS: Don't forget a cozy lap blanket.
Happy reading! - Seaport Books
Good lighting is a must. Natural
light from a nearby window is sublime, but as the day progresses a good reading
lamp with an arm that adjusts for height and direction is important. For
optimum directional light, a clip book light or a camper’s headlamp can be
useful, and kids find them fun, too — it helps make reading an adventure. - The Book
Cougars
Decorate
with stylish and functional pieces
Invest in some stylish and
functional lamps for your reading nook, and make sure to buy the right
temperature bulbs! Recent studies have shown that cool light is best for a
learning environment while warm light creates a more relaxing environment. If
you’re trying to relax with a good novel or short story you should grab bulbs
in the warmer 2700K-3000K range, light a few candles, or even set up in front
of a fireplace for maximum coziness! But if you prefer to read more stimulating
works like educational materials or nonfiction, you might try swapping for a
cooler 3000K+ bulb or positioning your reading chair in front of your biggest,
brightest window. - Ad Biblio
Keep
it quiet and private
One of the biggest joys of reading
is being able to disappear into different worlds, to be immersed in new places
and times, and to go on adventures with characters you’ve only just met, or who
have become old friends. There is nothing more frustrating than being
interrupted just as you get to that pivotal moment in a scene or
narrative. With that in mind, create a reading nook that is “off the
beaten path” of your household – someplace quiet and private -- this can be a
transformed closet, or the corner of less frequently used room, or a whimsical
tent or fort built out of household materials (e.g., blankets, cushions,
curtain rods, etc.). - Anastasia Betts, VP Curriculum Planning & Design at Age
of Learning
Make your reading nook cozy by
choosing a quiet spot away from distractions. Make sure you choose a comfy
chair, have adequate soft lighting, a cup of tea, and a soft blanket. Small
book carts for keeping your to-be-read books within reach have become popular.
Strike up an inspiring scented candle to set the mood. - Capital
Books
Get
cozy
A comfy chair and soft chenille
throw are must-haves for any book lover when creating the perfect reading nook!
And don’t forget the light—choosing a well-lit space will allow you to finish
that page-turner that’s been keeping you up each night. - Liz and
Lisa
If you don't enjoy the actual
experience of sitting in your reading nook, you won't! Do you like being cozy?
You need a comfy armchair or lots of pillows and blankets. Need a space with no
distractions? A minimalist nook is for you. Do you need help channeling your
imagination? Choose whimsical colors or patterns to surround and inspire you. -
The
Story Shop
As a mystery writer and avid reader,
the things in my own cozy reading nooks always include a comfy chair, an
ottoman, and good lighting. Personally, I avoid super bright light -- subdued
and indirect feel most natural, whether I'm holding a hardcover book, jotting
notes on my lap desk, or reading on my Kindle. To cozy up my space, I add
cushions, a shawl over my shoulders, and a fuzzy throw during the winter
months. A place for my teacup is also a must! - Connie
Shelton
Have
a heat source nearby for colder months
A reading nook is a perfect addition
to any mountain home. In the winter months, it's important to set up your
reading nook near a heat source, a wood stove or fireplace is perfect for
keeping warm. Furnish the space with an extra cozy bouclé accent chair. - We Dream Big
Make
it how you like it
The best book nook should be
tailored just for you as an ideal spot where you're drawn to spend more of your
time reading books! So if you like it cozy, pile up the blankets and add
an atmospheric electric fireplace. If you are trying to keep it cool, make
sure there's a fan and a spot for your favorite iced beverage. Our ideal
would be a chaise longue wrapped with corner bookcases near a window for an
occasional peek at the view. - La Playa Books
Creating
a reading space for the kiddos
For kids, a reading nook should be
secret, special, and small. It should be a place lit by flashlights, well
camouflaged so that nosy parents won't intrude, comfy with blankets, couch
cushions, stuffed animals, and a 'do not disturb' sign. And most important: let
the young reader build it her/himself. -
Book Club for Kids
When I was a child I liked to go in
my closet with a flashlight to read because I liked the seclusion and the
chance to get away from it all. In a home with children, I believe a
reading area should be set up to provide a bit of whimsy. It should be
cozy with dark walls and very comfortable areas to lounge with bean bags and
recliners because reading for pleasure is best done in absolute comfort.
The lighting should be good but soft and the accent pieces should be literary
in nature. A quiet area with no windows is preferred to eliminate
distractions. Instilling a love of reading in young children will set them
up for greater success in the future because learning to read is one of the
first bricks in the educational foundation. - R&B
Used Books
Be
flexible
As a single mother with four
children who are now young adults, our household is lively—and at times,
crowded. As a writer, teacher and editor, all of the work I do requires a quiet
space, so I’ve learned to be flexible. Reading is no different. Whether it be
in my traditional nook with a leather armchair and mosaic reading lamp or
curled up next to the fireplace with both dogs next to me, or on the patio
enjoying the California sunshine—any spot can be made into a reading zone.
Quiet not always guaranteed! - Mary Vensel White
Originally
published on Redfin
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