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Curling up with a book never looked so good.
It's any bibliophile's dream to one day have a home library, but it's so easy for your home's square footage to get in the way of that fantasy. Luckily, even in the smallest spaces, these reading nook ideas will allow you to get comfy without having to sacrifice too much room. As for where to store your extensive reading collection? You'll need to find the best bookshelves for the job.
The ideal reading nook is cozy, bright, and relaxing, and it most likely has a spot specifically for your furry friend to curl up with you. While those descriptors are a great starting point, it's also helpful to have visual inspiration and other designer tips to follow when creating these small but cherished spaces. Keep reading to find stylish reading nook ideas directly from design experts, so you can create the ultimate cozy and chic hideaway in your home.
Save square footage and create a reading nook that doubles as a guest bed. In her Lake Tahoe cabin, designer Noz Nozawa styled this multipurpose space as the perfect corner to curl up with a favorite novel, take a nap, or host visitors when they come to town.
The only thing better than a window seat made for reading is a window seat that hides a secret storage spot. Designer Laura Hodges made this bench hollow with a soft-close lid so miscellaneous items could be tucked away for the long-term. We love that this reading nook idea is hidden in plain sight.
Surround a daybed with custom built-in shelves to create the ultimate cozy spot for you and your family. Not only can this reading nook idea help display your bookshelf wealth, but designer Shanti Crawford of Indigo & Ochre Design explains that the built-in allows for more general storage and lets the room serve different purposes, such as an office space or a last-minute guest room.
Vintage pieces and well-loved books simply go hand-in-hand, so decorating your reading nook in your favorite design era, like midcentury modern design, will immediately make the space feel cozier. This reading nook idea in designer Shavonda Gardner's Sacramento cottage bungalow was initially just a pass-through area, but she made it a destination with the design.
Throw out the assumption that your reading nook must be an indoors-only spot—there's no reason why you can't create one outside! Designer Jeffrey Alan Marks created this detached sitting room right by his pool with curtains in the front for added privacy. It's an introvert's dream but also ideal for parents keeping an eye on their little ones outdoors.
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Design a reading nook for your kids that they can grow into, like Jeffrey Alan Marks did with his daughter, James. You'll want to make sure the space is big enough for you to enjoy story time with your little one, then make it aesthetically flexible to change with their personality over time.
The modern steel-and-glass windows span such large swaths of the walls in Kathleen McCormick's home that the whole space appears to be floating above a forest. This reading nook idea makes for the ideal spot for nature and book lovers to cozy up. Light textiles and a large rug under the lounger soften the modern materials.
Deep enough to moonlight as a guest bunk, this alcove by Rita Konig and architect Gil Schafer III has drawers under the cushion. “It’s more than a reading nook or another piece of furniture,” Schafer says.
Lauren Nelson Design chose plum fabric for the comfy swivel chairs in this reading nook idea—and incorporated purple throughout the entire home—as a nod to the homeowners' love of figs. If you have a favorite color, food, motif, etc., weave it into your reading nook. After all, it should be your happy place. A special, low-hanging pendant polishes things off.
Designer Kati Curtis included plenty of surrounding storage for books and other items and disguised the cabinets with an eye-catching, glossy-red hue. Pro tip: equip the interior nook with outlets, so you can charge your devices while taking a catnap or reading a book.
Why not give yourself options? In this warm and layered study designed by Heidi Caillier, bookworms can take their pick between an extensive literary catalog and various seats for lounging. Stretch out on the window seat cushion or lean back on the rolled armchair.
Related: The Comfiest Chairs to Relax In
Take full advantage of architectural quirks—this way, they'll actually become your favorite thing about the space. Build a custom bench by a window and add a cushion, so you can use it as a window nook to read and relax in. (You'll be able to forgo a bulky couch that takes up too much space!) Pile on the pillows and add a pendant light for tasks, as Jae Joo did here.
In this entryway designed by Andrew Flesher, the “zoomed-in” and “pixelated” painting of the ocean makes for a contemplative backdrop perfect for analyzing The Waves or Moby Dick.
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A reading nook doesn't require an eccentric backdrop or origin story, like an empty stair landing, to be charming. These sling chairs with a fun, vibrant, green fabric assert an easygoing mood while the side table and floor lamp bring in some modern punch. They're also the perfect scale for the bedroom by Andrew Flesher.
Carefree, easy-breezy living is the name of the game in this summer home designed by Kureck Jones. Between the sea view and the natural ashwood paneling framing the windows, the effect is that of losing yourself in a novel while floating on a boat (minus the seasickness!). Who doesn't get more reading done while on vacation? A custom wraparound side table provides a perch for both your beverage and book of choice.
Leanne Ford transformed this odd basement corner into a bonafide sanctuary. This reading nook idea includes low-to-the-ground cushions to create a cozy, homey feel while accommodating the sloped ceiling. A pendant light allows for late-night reading, and the coffee table provides a necessary surface for after-dinner drinks or coffee.
Designed by ETC.etera in the Firehouse Hotel, this multipurpose nook (Read here! Sip coffee here! Work here! Post it on Instagram!) is so incredibly stylish. Just looking at it transports us to the English parlor we've always dreamed of—the one that's somehow both from the past and the future.
It might be hard to concentrate on the pages with this view as your backdrop, but that's why it's facing inward. The modern floor lamp and lucite-framed chaise create a nice juxtaposition against the more sophisticated and traditional elements, like the nesting tables. Designed by Studio DB, this reading nook idea includes all the staples with a more elevated twist.
A reading nook brings this corner to life in a grand room by Phoebe Howard, and the asymmetry adds an interesting dimension. With one wall bolstered by a built-in bookcase and back cushion and the other animated by artwork, it's the perfect place to retreat.
If you have a little alcove on your porch or a built-in cabana on a pool deck, make it cozy and outdoor-friendly with the right mix of materials. John Houshmand added cushions and a rug to soften things up.
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