Book nooks

One of our readers emailed us this week, asking us about reading nooks. She says:

My daughter’s 2.5, and I’m wanting to create a cosy reading nook in her room.  At the moment we read on her bed a lot but I’d like to differentiate between our massive-daily-reading-jags and reading-at-bedtime. I’m contemplating a kind of storage bench/toybox with covered cushions for the top; or a bean bag; or floor cushions; or armchair for that corner, but wondered if you might have any resources or suggestions about how to go about getting it all together?

Needless to say, we were inspired… Over the years, we’ve seen so many GORGEOUS book nooks out there. So here’s a collection of ideas we’ve seen…

Playrooms and bedrooms are obvious spots for book nooks, but hallways can also be a great way to make the most of otherwise blank walls. This book display with benchseat is in a hallway,in between children’s bedrooms. Found at the mecca of children’s interior design, Ohdeedoh.

This one also looks like a hallway space, eeked out between a doorway and a window. You can see more of the beautiful children’s spaces in this house on Ish and Chi.

As I collected my list I realised that there a couple of things that distinguish a really inviting book corner – making the most of the shape and space of the corner you are using, using colour to unite the elements, and having a way to display the books face out.

If you are lucky enough to have spacious wardrobes that you can spare, you could put your reading corner inside! These two gorgeous spaces have been made from a wardrobe closet space:

4-year-old Max’s bedroom closet has space for a reading bench and photoboard, more details in the feature on Ohdeedoh.

Little Lulu has this little space in her closet – you must read this post on Wondertime to find out how Lulu’s dream of running her own library has been made a reality by her mum – complete with old-fashioned index cards that can be stamped by Lulu as she checks out library loans! There are more images on Ohdeedoh.

Soulemama shows how you can create a reading space even when you don’t have a lot of space, and without new fittings or furniture. This book nook at the top of her stairs uses cushions, a throw, a quilt and a small wooden tub to create a unified space that’s very inviting to curl up in.

Similarly, this space is a borrowed corner of a living room, but has been made into its own distinct vignette’ through placement of wall art and the selected colour palette. For more photos, see Ohdeedoh.

Minigaga featured this creative corner from The Happy Home blog – so simple and effective – and best of all seems completely achievable – it’s inspired me to make some of these a purchase on my next visit to Ikea.

Finally, if money is no object, this concept makes the nook a part of the bookshelf. More background on the idea and the designer found in this article in the New York Times.

Have you seen any other book nooks you love? We’d love to hear about them!