Apart from being the ideal spot to sit back and relax after a long day, having a comfortable reading environment is also the perfect opportunity to encourage your children to develop a love for reading and promote a creative way of thinking. So, if you want to create a cozy reading nook that will make your whole family feel happy and calm, here are some tips that will help you achieve just that:
Find comfortable seating options
The key to a great reading nook is a soft and inviting seating area, so feel free to opt for the two most comfortable armchairs you can find, one for you and one for your kid, and don’t forget to add a couple of bean bags for that extra feeling of coziness. If the reading nook is going to be used by more family members at the same time, it would also be a good idea to choose a smaller couch, or even a roomier upholstered bench with a back for additional support.
Opt for warm and calming colors
A cozy reading nook should be a warm and inviting space, which is why colors play such an important role in the design of this corner. In order to create a charming area that allows you to concentrate on reading, it would be best to opt for a soft and neutral color palette that includes shades of white, cream and beige, as these hues are neither distracting nor overpowering. If you want to add more dynamic to the space, you can incorporate pops of subtle yellow or green shades that truly turn this reading nook into your happy place.
Don’t forget to decorate the area
Even though a comfortable chair might be enough for some, it’s never a bad idea to add some more coziness, warmth and texture to your reading nook with a few carefully chosen design details. Firstly, incorporate some beautiful wool rugs that are as soft as they are snug, to make your reading area a more pleasant and welcoming space for both you and your kids. Then, add a few fluffy decorative pillows to your seating area, as well as a cozy throw blanket, to allow your whole family to relax with a great book. For added comfort, it might be a good idea to choose a lovely pouf or ottoman, to have a place where you can put your feet up.
Incorporate directional lighting
While ambient lighting is wonderful for creating the right mood in any room, it’s not a good option for a reading nook. In this space, you need lighting that is directional, meaning that you have the ability to manipulate the way in which the lamp head is pointing. In order to avoid straining your eyes, it’s essential to have appropriate lighting, especially when it comes to children, as their eyes are still in development. So, opt for a standing lamp with a movable head, which you can tilt down or point towards the chair, to light up your books accordingly.
Choose smart storage solutions
If you want to create a reading nook you’re going to share with your kids, the books and other reading material need to be stored in a way that’s functional and accessible to the whole family. While you can always opt for a tall book shelf and place the children’s books near the bottom half, with yours in the top one, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a bit creative with your storage options. A great idea would be to repurpose a small cubby, and fill it up with your kids’ books, while storing yours on floating shelves above. Not only could this be a beautiful design detail, but it’s also a functional and space-saving storage solution.
Let minimalism be your goal
Children are quite restless as it is, and the last thing they need are more distractions. If you want to give both yourself and your kids the chance to completely focus on the book at hand, it would be best to keep your reading nook as clean and minimal as you can. Apart from finding a comfortable chair and decorating your nook with cozy accessories, such as cushions and rugs, all you really need is a small side table for putting your book down and a nice picture on the wall for added decor – anything else might be too distracting.
Remember, the more comfortable and more inviting you reading nook is, the better, as it will give the whole family a perfect space for relaxing and unwinding with a great book.
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