Designing a Peaceful Reading Nook for Your Custom Home

For the bibliophile, designing a peaceful reading nook in your home is a must. For many it’s a place to decompress after a long day, escape into a good book, and simply have a place for yourself that puts you at ease. Yet, there are a lot of things to consider when designing your reading nook so it will be everything you’ve dreamed of.

Quiet Location

The first thing to consider when planning and designing your reading nook is the location. Reading nooks are rarely full rooms, but a corner of a room dedicated to being a literary oasis. As such, it can be virtually anywhere, from your bedroom to your home office to the living room. What matters is that it’s a space conducive to reading.

An important thing to consider when choosing the location of your reading nook is privacy. Few things are more frustrating than being interrupted when you’re deeply engrossed in a thrilling novel. So find ways to cut out visual and noise distractions. If your reading nook is in a public space, like the living room, install some curtains or put up screens or tall bookshelves to block the area off and reduce distractions.

Good Lighting

Perhaps the most important aspect of a reading nook is the lighting. In fact, often lighting becomes a factor in the location of the reading nook. While the common belief that reading in bad light can damage your eyes, this is scientifically false. However, bad lighting can cause uncomfortable eye strain, and might not create the atmosphere you want in your reading nook.

Pick a spot that has lots of natural light for your reading nook. Remodeling an area to include a large picture window or skylight is ideal if you’re looking for the best lighting. However, if it’s not feasible, make sure you’re installing lights that are up for the task. Using cool lights, which have a Kelvin scale of between 4000 K to 6500 K, are generally considered best for productivity and focus.

Book Storage

Naturally, a reading nook needs books, but you also want to avoid clutter. That’s why you should get creative with your shelving. You can put up sanding bookshelves around your designated area to create “walls” to double as both book storage and privacy shields. 

Another option is creating hidden storage areas, like a pull-out drawer or shelf where you can keep your favorite books. Installing cabinets or shelves into the walls is also a viable option if you want your books on display. However you choose to store your books, make sure that they’re somewhere dry and avoid exposure to direct sunlight when you’re not reading them. Otherwise the books could be damaged, and that’s a book lover’s worst nightmare.

Comfortable Seating

Comfortable seating is non-negotiable when it comes to your reading nook. How are you supposed to be drawn into the page if you’re distracted by an uncomfortable chair? Seating can be as simple as a rocking chair or plush recliner, but why not get more creative? 

Consider having an upholstered window seat built directly into the wall. This will give you a cozy place to sit, lay and read, with the added bonus of storage cabinets or drawers easily being added underneath. This is where you can store books, or even spare pillows and blankets for even more comfort.

A reading nook is a simple thing to add to your home, but it can make a huge difference in your peace of mind. A cozy, peaceful, private spot to lose yourself in a good book could be the best area in your house for self-care. Contact Sordan Construction today to discuss ways we can renovate your space to include your ideal reading nook.