44 Cozy Reading Nook Ideas You'll Want to Curl Up in With a Good Book

Incorporate Soft Materials

Nothing says “cozy” more than a chair that you can truly sink into, just like this one softened up by The House on Hillside Lane. This chair, rendered in cloud-like white, calls for a few restful minutes (or more) spent with a beloved book.

Find a chair that feels sumptuous to the touch, then match it with a throw pillow that brings in color or texture, along with personal bits of decor, like family photos, or wall hangings brought back from a vacation.

Include a Bookshelf

Someday you’ll have a home library that rivals the one in Beauty and the Beast. For now, if you’re working with a small space, such as a window seat, flank your reading nook with a built-in bookshelf, like this one crafted by the interior designers at The Habitat Collective.

A bookshelf that’s alongside your reading nook means your top tomes are always at the ready for an afternoon of reading. And with natural light like this, you won’t miss a word.

Dedicate a Bedroom Corner

A reading nook doesn’t require a lot of space, and an ideal spot for one is that random, empty corner of your bedroom. That’s what interior designer Maite Granda did in this bedroom.

She created a classic reading nook with a simple white chair, flanked by a small side table and gold lamp—perfect for morning reading with the newspaper.

Consider Comfort

“When we think of a reading nook we envision a small, cozy space where we can lounge, read, and simply escape from our day to day for a little while,” says Megan Dufresne, principal designer at MC Design.

“Traditionally this would include a comfortable oversized chair, chaise, or sofa, a good light source, and of course a place to keep books, magazines, newspapers, or more likely a tablet these days.”

Add Whimsical Details

With the basics in place you can add your own creative touch to make it unique and fit your specific needs.

“Consider adding a vintage record player, a bar cart, or a fun art piece,” suggests Dufresne.

Use Vertical Space

Vertical space is worth taking advantage of—whether you’re working with a small space or you just want to keep your books up and off the ground. Add a couple of additional decor pieces and you have yourself a sumptuous corner to get cozy in.

Make the Most of Angles

Dealing with some weird corners in your space? Instead of trying to work around them you can embrace the space and turn it into a distinct nook. This will add visual interest and make your reading nook even more cozy and unique.

Go Green

A bohemian design-inspired book nook is super easy to emulate: all you really need is a chunky wicker chair and a couple of plants. Consider adding a few colorful cushions to make the space even more welcoming and comfortable.

Repurpose a Spare Room

Those funny third bedrooms usually wind up being used as storage—but it’d be much better off using your teeny extra bedroom for a reading room.

Consider installing a couple of shelves, add a pretty little lamp, and position a comfy chair next to the window for optimal coziness.

Look Under the Stairs

Harry Potter fans know that a cupboard under the stairs is more than enough space for a little reading nook. The dead space that can occur in an open concept staircase is one of the best spots to throw a couple of pillows or accent chairs for reading.

Opt for Unique Wallpaper

If you don’t have the space to carve out a full corner or room for reading, you can easily make the distinction between social living space and reading nook by using a unique wallpaper for an accent wall. Add a comfortable chair and a lamp and you have the perfect spot for curling up with a good book.

Take It Outdoors

Indoor reading nooks are wonderful—but a spot to read under the stars is even better. Consider adding a couple of weatherproof pillows to an unused corner of your balcony or backyard patio—and don’t forget the steaming cup of coffee to keep you warm as you turn each page.

Use Transitional Spaces

Wondering what to do with that awkward extra space in your bedroom or hallway? Consider adding a small bench and a cozy stack of pillows or blankets.

The transitional space can easily be transformed into a reading nook as long as it doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic from other members of your household.

Get Cozy in a Corner

You really can’t beat an unused corner when it comes to reading nook real estate. Position a comfy chair kitty-corner, add a side table for your coffee and bookmark, and let the must-read stack of books grow.

Seek Out Natural Light

If you’re lucky enough to have space in your home that becomes flooded with natural light, you might want to consider creating a reading nook that’ll allow you to bask in the sun.

Consider a more minimal chair that won’t block the light and a simple side table or footstool for added comfort.

Section Off Your Space

Reading nooks require tranquility—but if you have a hard time finding space in your home that doesn’t get foot traffic you might need to take matters into your own hand. A simple dressing screen can create a cozy space free from the distractions in the rest of your space.

Try a Hanging Chair

Cozy chairs and sofas are great—but a hanging hammock chair? Even better. An indoor swing or hammock instantly adds a sense of play and whimsy to your space and makes for a surprisingly soothing experience.

Play With Scale

Reading nooks are always a more whimsical part of home decor—so you may as well lean into it. Playing with scale (like adding an oversized pouf or a micro-mini side table) will set your nook apart from the rest of your home while still remaining practical.

Incorporate Patterns

Texture and patterns can make or break a great reading nook—especially if you lean toward more colorful designs. Consider stacking multiple cushions of varying shades for a visually interesting and comfortable space.

Repurpose a Closet

Lots of homeowners have leaned into the closet office trend over the past couple of years—but a closet reading nook might be even better. It takes a little more effort to create a fitted bank for the space but you can just as easily add a couple of chairs or a pile of pillows.

Create a Window Seat

A window seat is one of the best spots to create a book nook—it’s cozy and offers, quite literally, a window to let your mind wander. If you don’t have a window seat in your home you can add a chaise longue chair for a similar effect.

Use a Rolling Book Cart

If you’re lucky enough to have an abundance of cozy nooks and crannies in your space, you might want to forego one designated book nook and instead lean into the idea of a book cart. This will allow you to roll your nook around to wherever it is that has the best light or the least amount of distractions at a given moment.

Add Extra Throw Pillows

The right cushions and pillows can turn just about any space into a comfortable reading nook. If you don’t want to invest in furniture or home improvement projects, a simple cushion thrown on the floor with a couple of pillows to prop yourself up will be just as cozy.

Play With Lighting

The easiest way to make a space feel instantly comfy and inviting? The right string of fairy lights. Many of us forget just how cozy and magical fairy lights can be once we graduate from our college dorms—but a simple string of warm lights can make any space relaxing.

Fill Dead Space

Do you have dead space in front of your existing bookshelf or storage area? It might seem like a no-brainer but adding a comfortable chair and a couple of pillows will turn the dead space into your favorite nook in the house.

Make Use of Odd Space

Whether it’s a cramped corner or a staggered part of your split-level, creating a book nook in an odd part of your home will instantly turn the space into your most-used part of the house—just add pillows.

Create a Tent Space

Hoping to foster a love of reading in your little one? Creating a cozy reading nook for kids is pretty simple—all you really need is a pile of pillows and a canopy. Consider adding extra cushions on the ground if you plan on sharing the space.

Add a Banquette

If you have more than one need for a quiet and cozy space—lean into it and opt for something more multifunctional. A banquette by the window with a small side table will make the perfect reading nook during the day and cocktail spot for happy hour.

Carve Out a Niche

Carve out a niche in your living room or family room for a built-in reading nook. Emily Henderson Design outfitted this cozy space with comfortable seating, built-in book storage, a small table lamp, then defined the space with wallpaper in shades of blue and white to match the decor of the room.

Hang a Pair of Sconces

Save space in a small reading nook by hanging a pair of wall sconces that will ensure that it's well lit day or night.

Jessica Nelson Design added a shiplap accent wall behind this small reading nook, with shelving for storing books and displaying decor objects.

Outfit a Bay Window

A bay window with a built-in window seat is a perfect spot for a reading nook. Kate Marker Interiors added an armchair and a floor lamp near the window to make this home library reading nook big enough for sharing.

Include a Floor Basket

In a small reading nook, a simple floor basket can hold books and extra blankets to make tidying up between reading sessions a breeze, like this space from Emily Henderson Design.

Use Bonus Nooks

Small staircase niches can be outfitted with pillows, lighting, and decor to provide a place for little ones to camp out with a good read, like this space from Emily Henderson Design that's perfect for siblings.

Try a Vintage Loveseat

Try a vintage loveseat to outfit a reading nook in the corner of a traditional living room.

Becca Interiors placed a mustard velvet loveseat under the window between built-in bookshelves to create an inviting corner dedicated to reading in this Colonial home.

Try a Built-In Bench

Turn the irregular walls of your bedroom into an opportunity by adding an extra-long built-in bench that can be used as a reading corner and display space, like this bedroom from Emily Henderson Design. A reading light sconce in the corner and some throw pillows and blankets make it comfortable and functional.

Make It Big Enough for Two

A double window is the perfect opportunity to set up twin reading nooks that allow family members to share space while having their own space to read with plenty of natural light, like this space from Becca Interiors.

Decorate With Plants

You can create multiple reading nooks around your home anywhere from the bedroom to the mudroom. If your reading nook is near a window, line the sill with houseplants that will benefit from natural light and make the space more inviting.

Use Overstuffed Seating

Build your reading nook around an overstuffed armchair to create an extra-comfy place to relax.

Emily Henderson Design made use of an awkward corner in this primary bedroom with an enveloping armchair, adding a tall floor lamp, a wicker pouf, and a framed print on the wall above.

Set Up a Hallway Space

If you have a large hallway with a window that provides natural light and enough room for comfortable seating, set up a reading nook that turns a pass-through space into a destination, like this reading nook from KG Designs.

Add Corner Built-Ins

Outfit your reading nook with corner built-ins to house your book collection, like this space from blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made by Carmona.

Take Advantage of the View

Create a place to cuddle up and read by a picture window with a great view, like this multipurpose home gym space from Michelle Berwick Design.

Build Out the Landing

Give the empty space in a spacious double staircase landing with a built-in window purpose by turning it into a reading nook. Britt Design Studio added colorful art and textiles in shades of bold blue to define the space.

Add Multifunctional Pieces

Use multifunctional pieces to make your reading nook both stylish and functional. Louis Duncan-He Designs set up a reading nook in this finished basement with an oversized vintage-style rattan egg chair that is flanked by a combination floor lamp/side table and leaning ladder-shaped wall shelving and drawers that are styled with books, objects, and plants.

Try a Chaise Longue

A vintage-style chaise longue will add retro style to your reading nook, providing a place to put your feet up and tackle that 800-page novel you've been pining to read. Emily Henderson Design added a floor lamp and a gallery wall to finish off this inviting space.