11 Cozy Reading Nook Ideas For Small Spaces

Reading nook ideas for a small space might seem far-fetched but it is possible. There are more opportunities to transform a boring or neglected corner into a mini-vacation destination with your favorite book. Don’t give up on your reading list yet! Here are a few cozy corners to keep the pages turning.

Canopy Curtains

Sometimes small rooms aren’t equipped with built-in benches or niches for reading nook ideas, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up a sad corner with a fluffy canopy! Gather some cushions and blankets like you’re making a pillow fort and stuff them into the designated reading corner of your room. Once the desired comfort level is reached, you can add light, airy, sheer canopy curtains to hang from the ceiling. The breezy, billowy curtains will drift around you like pretty clouds. For an extra ethereal effect, try tangling fairy lights into the floating fabric.

Bedside Chair

Let’s say all the corners in your room are taken. No problem! Pull up a chair instead. The core concept of reading nook ideas is having a quick retreat to relax from the chaos of the day. Having a special chair just for you and your favorite book can be just as calming as a window bench. I recommend placing this chair in a remote position, away from where you do homework or chores. This will train your mind to relax whenever you get in the chair, knowing it is only for tranquil reading sessions. To save space, use a storage ottoman to store all your books in plus prop your feet up.

Corner Mattress

If you’re like me, and reading makes you sleepy, then skip the chair and use a bed instead. There’s no limit of comfort from a soft mattress and a pillow paradise under your head. Hide a quick stash of books nearby or organize them on floating shelves above the bed like pictured below. This look gives your space a more relaxed, casual feel. It is the perfect vibe for chill hangouts. Plus, if you nod off while in the middle of a great book, it is NBD. Reading nook ideas can also be napping nook ideas.

Hallway Hideaway

A cozy hallway niche like the one pictured below is the perfect breeding ground for reading nook ideas, especially if it is oddly shaped. Many old homes or buildings have hallways with built-in niches for uncertain reasons – is a bookshelf supposed to go here? A cabinet? A washer and dryer? Who knows! What will certainly fit in there are a plush chair and a stack of books. The discrete location gives you the illusion of privacy to help aid your escapist fantasy. This is especially helpful if you don’t have any space in your room for a reading nook.

Nap Nook

Here is an idea that is chicer than a floor mattress but just as comfortable. A chaise or lounge chair is usually smaller than a couch and therefore easier to stuff into tight spaces. Not to mention, they can often be found at department stores for low prices! It is perfect for a quick read or snooze. Improvise a short bench to hold your books, glasses, tea, or whatever else your heart desires for the perfect power nap.

Tiny Tuck-Away

Even the tiniest of spaces can be the perfect spot to squeeze in a good read. A good example is this impromptu “phone booth” pictured below. It may have originally been intended as a storage closet or pantry, but a few cushions can transform it into the cutest cranny to hole up in for an hour or two. Whoever owned this spot was lucky because they have a door they can close for extra privacy, but if you don’t, you can always string up some curtains (or beads, for a boho effect) to let the world know this hideout is occupied.

Between Two Shelves

You might be wondering what to do with the extra space between your bookshelves, especially if there’s a window stuck between them that you don’t want to block. A clever idea would be to take a storage bench, like the one pictured below, and slide it in the middle. This is a great way to save space and create a cozy reading nook with a view! It also successfully bypasses the need for any built-in fixtures. Bookshelves automatically create the niche space you need for a reading corner without any extra work.

Niche Nook

Old homes often sport antiquated fixtures like the one shown below. The architect may have been thinking about a lovely china cabinet to display there, but why bother when you can have an adorable alcove instead! This is a great idea if you’re into the aged, rustic design aesthetic. Whimsical artifacts such as these make reading nooks so much dreamier! To build upon this look, try adding a decorative shelf packed with vintage books. You will feel transported to a Victorian library from the 1800s.

Bench Window

If your room doesn’t come with a built-in bench seat next to a window with a gorgeous view, fear not – you can make one! There are several ideas floating out to turn basic, affordable Ikea furniture, like cabinets or bookcases, into a built-in bench for a reading nook that also doubles as storage. It allows for extra seating plus a place to hide all your books and knick-knacks. If you’re not much of a DIY fan, you can always buy a storage bench for cheap from a department or thrift store and place it in a cute window spot.

Pretty Patterns

Jazz up your reading nook with a variety of flashy fabrics! The best part about this is there is no possible way you can mess up. Add curtains, pillows, sheets, and blankets of every different color and arrangement and decorate your nook so it is one bright splash of ‘ahh’. There’s nothing like a creatively adorned space to fuel your quiet session of knitting, macramé, or crossword puzzles.

Comfort Cloak

When all else fails, there is always one thing we can turn to cradle us from the pandemonium of everyday life: our favorite blanket. Find a wide, soft chair perfect for snuggling and drape a statement blanket on top of it to give yourself a cozy break from reality. Add cushions to any seat that is making your back feel stiff. This is the perfect opportunity for big, fuzzy fleece blankets, a knit throw, wool, or even your favorite Hogwarts house blanket.