Make a Reading Nook in Your Room

Reading has always been an important part of learning and an enjoyable pastime. Reading nooks provide comfortable, quiet places to retreat to and curl up with a good book. They aren't just for reading, either. A nook is great for drawing, writing, or listening to music. A reading nook is the perfect way to set aside a peaceful spot in your room.

Steps

Creating a Reading Nook

  1. Find a good spot for your nook, such as a corner, alcove, or a box. You may find it necessary to rearrange your bedroom furniture. Doing so will open up spaces that are good potential nooks. Pick a spot that's as quiet as possible. You do not want a lot of loud noises, such as a radio or TV, to disturb your peaceful little getaway.[1]
  2. Decide what kind of seating you want to utilize. Do you want a big fluffy chair that swallows you up? Do you want a chair that you can curl up in? Do you prefer a bunch of pillows on the floor or a beanbag instead? Or do you want a woven bench that doubles as a coffee table and an ottoman?[1]
  3. Brighten up your space with light. Ample light is the perfect way to capitalize on moments of inspiration that might come to you as you read. Find a light that strikes a balance between lighting needs and your level of comfort.[1]
    • For daytime reading, nothing beats glorious daylight. If it gets too bright, pull across the curtains to prevent the direct sunlight from beaming onto your reading material.
    • For reading at night, a simple lamp will do, as long as it is adjustable. Another option is to buy a desk or floor lamp.
  4. Make it a place of comfort. The most important part of a reading nook is comfort. It must be something that appeals to you and encourages you to curl up in it time after time. Think of softness and textures that delight you. Do not use anything that you do not like or that gives you a feeling of unpleasantness.
    • Surround yourself with the things that make you the most comfortable, such as a plushy throw or soft pillows.
    • Use colors, patterns and textures that make you feel safe and warm.
  5. Seclude the reading nook from other parts of the room if possible. This can be as simple as putting a low dresser perpendicular to one wall to give the impression of division, or it can be as complicated as hanging curtains around the nook to create a canopy. The division will give you a sense of ownership of the nook and keep others from invading your private space.
    • Treat your nook like a hideaway and keep a snack nearby that’s savory and sweet, like cheddar popcorn with candy corn. Unplug from everything and don’t introduce phone or electronics to your quiet space.[1]
    • Surround yourself and your personal haven with sweet aromas. Purchase a season-themed candle and place it in your nook to help you further unwind.

Creating a Canopy Nook

  1. Start crafting the canopy nook by taking apart the embroidery hoop. The perfect size for an embroidery hoop is about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} and the hoops can be found at any local store that sells crafts. Take the hoop apart and place its hardware pieces in a baggie to keep them from getting lost while you put the canopy together.[2]
  2. Slide the curtain fabric onto the embroidery hoop. Be sure that the casing seam at the top of your curtains are facing the hoop on its inside. Slide all six of the curtain panels around the circumference of the hoop.[2]
  3. Secure the hoop back together. Clamp the two ends of the embroidery hoop together by inserting the hardware pieces you previously placed in the baggie. Slide curtains over the hoop’s closure and make sure that the curtains are distributed evenly around the circumference of the hoop.[2]
  4. Prepare the ribbons that will hang the canopy. Cut three pieces of ribbon at about 4” long so that the hoop can hang a good distance away from the ceiling. If you want the canopy to hang down even lower from the ceiling, cut the ribbon pieces a little longer.[2]
    • Spread the curtains and loop the ribbons around the sides of the hoop.
    • The ribbons should be looped onto the hoop every couple of panels so that the curtains are even on each side and the access points are more plainly seen.[2]
    • Tie the ribbons together at the top into a knot.
  5. Hang a hook from the ceiling and use it to hang the canopy on. Hooks are available at most home improvement stores. Hang the knotted ribbon and your canopy curtains over the hook in the ceiling. Spread two of the panels to create a door.[3]
    • Add pillows to your finished canopy or stuffed animals to give the reading nook some personality.
    • These reading nooks can also act as a tent around small arm chairs in children rooms and nurseries and can be the perfect place to read to your child while they’re in your lap.

Creating a Closet Nook

  1. Make sure the closet is perfect to use to create your nook. If your room is too tight to accommodate a canopy nook, a closet nook is a great alternative. Your closet should have a great size, location, and should be optional for use.[4]
  2. Prepare your closet for the nook. Empty the things out of the closet, take out your shelving, wash down your walls, and vacuum the floors.[4] Make a base by constructing a bench seat out of plywood, using lag bolts to secure the seat to the studs.
  3. Construct some texture in your reading nook. Install 1x4 pine wood as paneling ¾ of the way up the wall. On the right side of the closet, use two of those 1x4 wood pieces install them on the right side of the closet as two floating shelves. Attach the wood to the closet with power grab adhesive glue or finishing nails.[4]
  4. Choose a color theme for your nook. Paint the remaining ¼ above the paneled section with the color of your choice. Stain the wood with wood stain to preserve it and give it more of a polished look. Paint the shelves, borders, and bench white.[4]
  5. Add touches to make the space special. Place a cushion, a warm throw, and throw pillows on the bench for comfort inside your nook. Put some books up to line the shelves you’ve installed and some books in a couple of wicker baskets for decoration.[4]
    • For children’s nooks, consider using different toys to help you decorate the space. Include stuffed animals, toy cars, a flashlight, etc.[4]
    • Create themes centered around favorite novels to add to the reading theme. Include cloaks or wands if you are a big Harry Potter fan or a makeshift Narnia with a snow white color palette and a stuffed lion.[4]

Tips

  • Hang a catchy sign on the door or on a hook in the wall saying, “Sorry, I'm booked!” or something clever alluding to reading. This will let people know to be quiet and don't disturb.
  • Use your creative juices to think up fun themes and stuff to add to your reading nook to personalize it more.
  • Comfortable chairs and nightstands can be purchased very cheaply from Goodwill or another used goods store. Large, over-sized chairs are very nice for reading purposes. You usually can buy cheap over-sized pillows at the same sorts of places.
  • Use colors like white, blue, and green for cushions to keep a quiet and restful mood.
  • If you can read while listening to music, think about buying some soft music from gift shops, like flowing water or Rainforest sounds.
  • Consider using a hanging chair. Attached to the joist above the ceiling (with screws), it will allow you to curl up with minimal space. Make sure you have sufficient light.
  • Have a foot rest nearby to put your feet up! Always make yourself comfortable before enjoying the book to help you stay motivated to read.
  • Make sure you have enough light when you read because it can strain your eyes if you don't have enough light.
  • Make sure to add your own personal touch, as that is what will make your nook special.

Things You’ll Need

Creating a Room Nook

  • lamp
  • chairs
  • pillows
  • blanket
  • snacks
  • candles

Creating a Canopy Nook

  • 3 packages of white 110” x 68” curtains
  • 23” embroidery hoop
  • a spool of off-white ribbon 1 1/2 in x 12 ft
  • hanging hook
  • pillows

Creating a Closet Nook

  • vacuum
  • 1x4 pine wood
  • plywood
  • wood stain
  • lag bolts
  • power grab adhesive glue or finishing nails
  • hammer
  • paint
  • books

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://darlingmagazine.org/creating-your-own-reading-nook/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://howdoesshe.com/a-dreamy-canopy-tent/
  3. ↑ http://howdoesshe.com/a-dreamy-canopy-tent/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 http://www.remodelaholic.com/closet-reading-nook-tutorial/
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