One of my favourite rabbit holes on Pinterest is that of reading nook inspiration. Most of them are a bit beyond the realms of possibility in a modern home. Still, reading nooks are amazing. Having a dedicated spot to curl up with a book and escape for a few hours sounds ideal! Scouring through all the fantastic ideas on Pinterest got me thinking. What if you wanted to create a cosy reading nook on a budget?
Many homes don’t have the space for a dedicated reading area. It’s definitely a luxury for most of us. However, reading is the bedrock of good writing and is fundamental to learning in general. So, if there’s a way to make a reading space a priority in the home, why not give it a go? This post will explore some ways to create a cosy reading nook in your home without breaking the bank or eating up too much precious space in the house.
Create a cosy reading nook on a budget
It doesn’t have to cost the earth to transform a little corner of your living space into a cosy reading nook. If you can think creatively, get crafty and be prepared to do some thrift shopping and bargain-hunting, you’re halfway there.
Before you know it, you’ll have your own little comfy reading area where you can relax with a good book. Switching off from the real world for a bit is always a good idea, so here are some tips for creating a cosy reading corner in your home on a budget.
Find the ideal spot in your house
The first thing you’ll need is a suitable space. This could be an underused area such as a bedroom alcove, a corner of the dining room, or a small space under the stairs, for example. Try to think outside the box if your house doesn’t have a lot of free corners.
Could you make some space in the attic or basement? What about the garage or perhaps in the conservatory? Maybe you’ve got a garden shed that could be put to better use.
Wherever you decide the ideal spot is, make sure it’s somewhere that feels calm, quiet and secluded. You don’t want to be disturbed when you’re in the middle of a real page-turner!
Measure your comfort
With your spot picked out, it’s time to think about getting comfy. You’re going to spend a fair amount of time in your cosy new reading nook, so you want to make sure it’s set up for comfort.
If you don’t have a lot of spare cushions or furniture, check out what’s available in the local charity shops. You can grab bits and bobs from discount stores too, so think about what would make your reading nook feel like somewhere you’d want to spend time in.
Check for second-hand armchairs, rocking chairs, chaise longues or even beanbags. You should also grab some cushions and blankets to make things extra relaxing and cosy, especially when autumn and winter start to draw in.
Examine the lighting options
It’s really important to light your cosy reading nook properly. You don’t want to strain your eyes reading, so take the time to get the lighting right. This is particularly important if your reading corner happens to be somewhere that doesn’t get much natural light.
Try to balance the space with a mix of natural light and softer lighting with lamps. This will make reading easier on the eyes, especially at night. You can also pick up some cheap floor lamps in charity shops or on second-hand marketplaces. Another affordable option is to pick up some clip-on reading lights online. These work well for late-night reading and won’t break the bank either.
Explore shelving and storage
This step is optional, but can make a difference to the vibe of your reading nook. Consider adding some shelving and storage to your reading nook, if you have enough space. You’ll want somewhere to store and display all your books as you read through them, after all!
One way of doing this could be to attach some DIY shelves to the walls. However, if you’re not keen on DIY or perhaps you’re in a property where you can’t add fixtures and fittings to walls, there are other options. Repurpose some old boxes or crates and use them as book storage or makeshift shelving. Whatever works for your space and your budget!
Personalise your nook
With the fundamentals in place and your reading nook starting to look even cosier, you’ll want to personalise your space even more. Use your personal bits and pieces to really make the reading nook your own. This is an important step because you want your cosy reading nook to feel like a safe space that brings you inner peace after a stressful day. So, surround yourself with items that do just that.
It’ll make it feel more welcoming and calming if you add photos, artwork, plants or other charity shop finds. You want to find items that add charm, without creating clutter. Ideally, objects that don’t cost anything but have plenty of sentimental appeal are ideal.
Throws, textiles and rugs
Again, this is a matter of personal taste and is entirely optional. However, if you’ve got extra rugs, throws, cushions or blankets scattered around the house, you can use them in your reading nook.
If you do have a large space to work with, rugs and curtains can really add extra warmth and texture to your nook. Check out the charity shops, bargains in the discount stores and even fabric sales at local marketplaces to really brighten and cosy up your new reading area.
Decorations
Finally, you want to add some further personal touches with a bit of DIY decor. This doesn’t have to cost the earth. It could be drawings made by your kids, upcycled items, knitted blankets or old pillows, for example. Any kind of homemade decoration will work! The key thing is that your reading nook feels like a homely, calming and welcoming space that beckons you to spend some time there.
You can create a cosy reading nook on a budget
The main goal of creating this little area is to encourage you and your family to make time for reading. Your reading nook should be warm, inviting and relaxing, whatever that looks like to you! It should be a space that entices you to dive into the pages of your favourite stories and spend some quality time relaxing and rewarding your brain after the stresses of the day.
Most importantly, your reading nook shouldn’t cost a fortune to set up. Make it uniquely yours and you’ll find yourself making time for reading more often than spending hours aimlessly flicking through Netflix or scrolling your phone.
I’d love to hear from you if you’ve set up your own cosy reading nook at home! If you have any tips for creating a reading nook, or cultivating a home library, let me know in the comments. If you’ve enjoyed this post then please do give it a share on Pinterest. You might also enjoy this post on open-world games to escape reality with, especially if all that reading has got you itching to explore wild fantasy worlds next!
