A reading corner does not need a separate room. Only some space (3ft x3ft), a chair with good back support and lighting that doesn't dazzle the eyes.
Most reading nook ideas miss out on the third detail. People get carried away making their ideal reading corner only for it to slowly turn into a place to put their bags.
The following 20 ideas are split up by room, include measurements and what to avoid.
Why Every Home Should Have a Reading Corner
In a 2BHK, every space has its own purpose - the bedroom is for sleeping, the hall is for the TV, the dining table is for meals and studies; there is no room for sitting and reading.
A reading corner offers both an exclusive space for curling up in your favorite reading nook while making use of existing empty spaces in your home - next to a wardrobe, against the balcony door, or even in a small window bay.
There's also a practical benefit to having a dedicated reading nook. Kids are likely to read more if they have their own chair and good lighting, while books on a table get picked up and read, books in the cabinet remain gathering dust.
Window Seat Reading Nook Ideas
Daylight is free, easier on the eyes than any lamp, so let’s begin our tour at the window.
- Bay window seat - the protruding window creates a cozy nook without eating into the room’s square footage.Perfect for a home with a bay window.
- A built in bench with a lift lid for storing folded laundry and extra pillows. The seat is just a few inches off the floor.
- Low platform seating area with a mattress and cushions. For windows with a low sill.
- Nook formed by two windows in a corner. Light falls from both sides.
- Corner balcony with a chair, potted plant, and side table for morning coffees and evening drinks.
Two main factors determine whether your window seat will see regular use: heat and insects. A west-facing window becomes unbearably hot and stuffy from around 2 pm until sunset, so it’s best to avoid such windows for seating purposes or be prepared to make blinds.
A window seat is a fantastic addition to any room if you want to take in the views while still being able to access the window. The problem with access, however, is that privacy can be compromised. You can’t just leave the window open if there are pesky insects swarming the room. Fortunately, IndiFrame windows made of uPVC can be supplied with shutters with a mesh to allow you to enjoy the outdoors without having to deal with unwanted pests and annoyances. On the other hand, double glazing will prevent your window seat from becoming too warm or noisy – an important consideration if you intend to install it on a particularly sunny or busy street.
If you’re planning to have your window seat built along with the windows, you should give particular consideration to the height of the sill. This dimension will determine the height of the seat, as well as the depth of the space below the seat, which should be used for storing items.
Reading Corners for Small Apartments
- Corner AC + floor lamp: the coziest nook ever for like 10 sq ft.
- The space behind the bedroom door is empty (usually) and big enough for a chair and a thin shelf.
- Cushion shelf that is hidden while guests are visiting (it's foldable on the floor).
- Wall shelf + stool: the shelf is replacing a side table.
Cozy Reading Spaces in the Living Room
- Diwan or single settee at one end of the hall on the side from which the TV wall is not visible.
- A rug is needed to define the seating area, so that the corner does not turn into just another extension of the main living room, separated by a partition.
- A tall bookcase serves as a room divider and creates a small niche.
- The chair is better placed facing the balcony door rather than the wall.
Bedroom Reading Corner Ideas
- Armchair next to the window with a side table for water and spectacles
- Reading light on the headboard wall at the level of the shoulders and not over the pillows.
- Long stool at the foot of the bed where clothes are piled at night.
- Wardrobe-side niche made in the 2 ft space between the wardrobe and the wall.
Reading Corners for Kids and Teens
- Floor cushions with a low open shelf, with the covers facing out for children to choose by sight.
- A tent or canopy at a corner for younger ones, making them feel that reading is quite an adventure.
- A separate sitting place for teens, so that the act of reading is not associated with boring homework.
- Keeping children's books out of their high reach would help avoid the situation when the shelf has to be used as a showcase for the parents' belongings.
Essential Furniture and Lighting for a Reading Nook
Comfort is a matter of dimensions, not price.
| Item | What works |
|---|---|
| Seat height | 400–450 mm from the floor |
| Seat depth | 500–550 mm so your back reaches the backrest |
| Back support | Upright with lumbar support because deep sofas cause slouching |
| Side table | Around the same height as the armrest |
| Space needed | About 3 ft × 3 ft minimum |
For lighting, remember the following: place them so that they fall on the subject from a side and not from directly overhead, like a tube light in the ceiling.
- Go for warm white lights, 2700K to 3000K; skip cool white, which makes you feel like you’re in an office.
- Floor or wall lamps beside the seating are preferable to suspended pendants or ceiling sconces.
- Have a backup inverter point or a rechargeable lamp at hand because electricity tends to fail during the evening.
- Avoid glare from reflecting off a page into the eyes.
Decorating Your Reading Corner with Plants and Accessories
Make it simple. Too much stuff makes a cozy corner hard to enjoy.
- A plant, which prefers the same light exposure as you. Snake plant, money plant and peace lily are great options for indoors.
- A rug to sit on, which does most of the work in terms of comfort.
- Cushions, two or three, including one for the lower back.
- A throw or light blanket for those air-conditioned rooms and cold winter evenings.
- Some closed storage for your charging devices, spectacles and remote controls, so that they are nicely out of sight.
- Sofa walls in warm white, beige, muted green or grey-blue.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Reading Corner
- Overhead light only -The page will fall in your own shadow and the corner will be wasted.
- Too-deep a chair - If your back can't reach the backrest, you can't be there for an hour.
- Faced with a blank wall - You should always face a window, a balcony or the room, but not a corner.
- A west-facing spot with no blind, deserted by the first summer.
- No side table, a cup and a phone have nowhere to rest, and the book is not opened. A place in walking path, like from the bedroom to the kitchen.
- Too much decoration such that a reading corner becomes a picture corner.
Final Thoughts
The reading corner ideas that are used every day are those that provide three things: a chair, light from the side, and a place where no one walks by.
Begin with light, by noting where the best natural light falls in your house in the mornings and evenings. Place the chair and then the rest. The chair has to come first, so you can see people set up their ideal reading corner for a picture.
