Encourage a love of books and reading by creating a comfy reading nook for your kids. Check out these 10 cute and cozy ideas for inspiration!
Fostering a love for books and reading in your child is so important. The benefits of being an avid reader extend far beyond the sheer enjoyment of getting lost in another world (although that’s a good thing, too).
Reading benefits children in so many ways: from improving vocabulary, to increasing empathy, to improving concentration and future academic performance.
The value of reading carries on into adulthood as well, with studies showing that reading can reduce stress, help you get a better night’s sleep, and reduce cognitive decline as you get older.
In addition to providing your kids with great children’s books, creating a comfy, cozy reading space in is an excellent way to encourage them to fall in love with reading.
To help with that, I’ve shared 10 cute and creative kids reading nook ideas below for your inspiration.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
3 Key Elements Every Kids Reading Nook Needs
Before we get to the list, let’s take a quick look at the 3 essential elements every reading nook or corner needs:
1. Good Lighting
Good lighting will reduce eye strain and encourage longer reading sessions. While natural and overhead lighting should be considered, having focused light from a floor, task, or reading lamp will create the ideal reading experience for your child.
Look for lamps that are adjustable, both in terms of direction of light and brightness. The color temperature can even be changed on some lamps, from a cooler light for day, to softer, warmer tones for bedtime reading.
2. Comfy Seating
As you’ll see in the ideas I’ve shared below, book nook seating can come in all forms—from floor cushions to bench seats, to chairs, to even swings!
The most important things to remember when you’re selecting the seating is that it’s super comfy and appropriately-sized for your kiddo.
3. Easy to Reach Book Storage
Whether you hang shelves or use bookcases, drawers, or bins to stash your child’s books, make sure they’re placed within close distance of the nook and at a height that is easy for your little one to reach.
Now that you know the basic components every reading space needs, it’s time to get creative!
10 ideas for a cute and cozy reading nook for kids.
1. Comfy Kids Reading Nook Chair
As mentioned above, comfortable seating is a must-have for any reading nook. And a cushy chair is the most obvious choice to fulfill that need.
Kid-sized chairs come in every style and color you can imagine. The Jacey Floral Chair from Wayfair (above, left) brings whimsy to the classic club chair shape with its colorful patchwork design.
And the Powell May Trellis Kids Chair from Ashley Furniture (above, right) adds a fun twist to its otherwise understated mid-century modern styling with sherpa upholstery.
If you’re looking for something more cutesy for your little one’s reading space, check out these adorable chairs from Pottery Barn Kids. They come in many fun styles and patterns, and personalization is available.
Bean bags are popular with young and older kids alike. The Heritage Club Rainbow Faux Fur Bean Bag Chair in Pastel Tie Dye and the ACEssential Vinyl Bean Bag, (which also comes in basketball, football, and soccer themes) are just a couple of examples of the vast selection of colors, shapes, and patterns available in bean bag chairs.
Papasan or saucer chairs are perfect for kids to curl up in with their favorite books.
If the chair is large enough for two, even better! Snuggling up while reading to or with your children is a special bonding experience that they will carry with them in their hearts for years to come.
2. Kids Book Nook Swing Chair
A swing chair can make a whimsical focal point for a children’s reading nook.
The author of lovelogicandlaughter.com details how she created this cute reading space for her little one with some floating shelves (love!) and a chair swing from Ikea.
I adore the tree Jennifer created as a backdrop for the bookcase in her daughter’s reading corner. She says it’s made of “cheap, brown tissue paper glued to the wall using Elmer’s school glue,” and that the leaves were cut from a Junie B. Jones book. She purchased her cocoon chair from Ikea as well. Image credit: Jennifer / flickr.com
I couldn’t find the chair on Ikea’s website at the time of this writing, but Amazon has something very similar that comes in a few different colors.
If your decorating style leans toward the boho or organic, you could use a macrame chair swing (like this one from Wayfair). Or you could opt for one made from natural fibers like rattan, wicker, or bamboo, like the chair pictured on the left. Image credit: decoratualma.com
Whichever style you prefer, just make sure your ceiling can bear the weight of the swing so your kiddos stay safe. Hunker.com provides tips for securely installing a swing chair.
3. Floor Pillows for Reading Nook Seating
Some kids may be more comfy camping out on the floor with their favorite books than sitting (or swinging) in a chair. If this is the case for your child, you should have no problem finding a cozy floor pillow or cushion in a style, color, and pattern you both love.
This “flower” cushion from Raayan Cushions on Etsy, for example, comes in several colors and patterns, and fits snugly in the corner of a room—perfect for tight spaces.
These XL floor pillows from ecr4kids.com offer a simpler and more streamlined look. They come in grey, bright pink, and turquoise blue.
Walmart offers a more literal take on the flower floor cushion. I’m kind of in love with this floor pillow, not to mention what they did with the room—that faux fencing on the wall is so adorable!
If you’re the crafty type, you could make the floor pillow for your child’s reading nook yourself. Diyncrafts has a roundup of 22 DIY floor pillow tutorials in varying styles, sizes, and difficulty levels.
4. Window Seat Reading Nook for Kids
Creating a kids reading nook in front of a window is an ideal choice for the natural lighting.
If you’re fortunate enough to have the built-ins, then most of the work is done for you already—add some easy to reach book storage, a comfy cushion, and some cute throw pillows and decor, and the space is ready for your little reader.
I love how Charlotte Smith combined bold black and white elements with the bright colors in the throw pillows and that precious hot air balloon mobile (which she purchased here— just in case you need this as much as I do) in her child’s reading nook.
If you don’t have a window seat built into the structure of the room, you can easily create the look with a daybed or bench placed in front of the window.
Add some shelves or secure some bookcases to the wall on either side of the window to complete the space. If you’re really handy, you could add molding over the top to give the nook a more built-in look.
Another option is to put something like this sweet little bookcase with nook from KidKraft in front of the window. I like the idea of stashing the books below the bench for easy access, as well as having the extra shelving space for decorative items.
5. Loft Bed
The area underneath a loft bed is just begging to be transformed into a cozy reading nook for your kid. Adding curtains gives the nook a more private, hideaway type of feeling. And fairy lights add a magical touch to just about any space.
One thing you’ll want to keep in mind when creating a reading nook under a loft bed is the dimensions of the space you have to work with—make sure the seating and other elements will fit before purchasing.
That won’t be as much of an issue, of course, if you take your cue from the image below and use a floor mat or cushion for your under-loft seating.
6. Tents and Teepees and Canopies Oh My!
Indoor tents and teepees have become so popular in recent years for children’s bedroom and playroom decor. And they are perfect for creating a space in which little ones can camp out (or in) with their favorite books.
If you’d like to have a go at making your own, the handy parents at Gray House Studio made a video tutorial for this a-shaped reading nook tent. Image credit: Gray House Studio
Alternatively, you could make this easy kids’ tent that’s more reminiscent of the teepee style, courtesy of mom and DIY guru Ana White. Image credit: ana-white.com
Speaking of teepees, Teepee Joy has some super cute styles to choose from that are perfect for non-DIY-ers. Even better, they sell coordinating decor so nearly everything you need for your kids’ reading nook is taken care of in one place (just add lighting and books!).
For a softer look, use a canopy to top off your child’s reading corner or nook.
You can purchase a premade canopy just about anywhere, or you could go for more of a boho vibe by hanging layered curtains, sheets, or fabric panels from the wall, as they did here. Image credit: @petitevintagebel via mommodesign.com
7. Under Table Reading Space for Kids
If space is limited, why not have that table do double duty as a reading nook for your kids?
Kelly over at eclecticmomsense.com provides instructions so you can make an under-the-table reading nook like she did for her oldest child (above, right). And the author of mamapapabubba.com shares how she did something similar for her little one using a round table (above, left).
If the space on top of the table isn’t needed, then you can up the comfort (and fun!) factor by creating a hammock in which your little ones can read the day away. There are many tutorials out there for an under-the-table-hammock, but making one is really quite simple—it’s just a matter of securely tying the ends of a sheet together over the top of the table.
8. Closet Book Nook
An unused closet would make a perfect hideaway for your little reader.
Brittany over at prettyhandygirl.com shows you how to she went from before to after with her sons’ closet (pictured above).
And the author of this blog provides details on how her friend Lynn transformed her daughter’s closet into the perfect “girly” reading nook. Image credit: lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.com
I love how the use of decorative molding transforms an otherwise simple reading space into something extra-special. Image credit: Source unknown, via pinterest.com
9. Wardrobe or Armoire
Using a wardrobe or armoire as a reading nook for kids is one of the most creative ideas I’ve come across in a long time. People are just so clever!
While the repurposed TV armoire on the right is as cute as can be, the added details of the wallpaper background and lantern used in the piece on the left would make any child feel truly transported.
10. Outdoor Reading Space
Whether you live in a moderate climate or you want to set up a seasonal reading spot for your child, creating that space outdoors is a great way to ensure they’re getting the fresh air and sunshine they need (and, perhaps, the peace and quiet you need).
If you feel so inclined, you can learn how to make the 5-minute teepee on the left here. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, get the plans for the awesome structure pictured below and build your little ones the outdoor book nook of their dreams.
Well, that’s a wrap on the 10 Ideas for Creating a Cute and Cozy Reading Nook for Kids. Are you inspired yet? I know I am (not to mention that precious hot air balloon mobile is still calling my name).
If you’ve used any of the ideas above or have come up with one of your own, I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments below, or on social media @flossypebbles.
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