Decorating & Design
March 22, 2022
60+ Reading Nooks That Book Lovers Will Want To Curl Up In
Is there anything better than an afternoon spent curled up with a good book? When spring showers keep you indoors, try turning an awkward corner or underused space into a comfy and cozy spot to finally catch up on some reading.
Click through this gallery for 60+ page-turning ideas!
A pair of plump pink armchairs with matching ottomans create an ideal reading nook for two.
A brown leather armchair and side table transform a section of this kitchen into a comfortable place to sit and relax.
The vaulted ceiling in this principal bedroom creates a reading nook that fades right into the walls.
A West-Coast-inspired foyer becomes a space to curl up and enjoy the day with the addition of a few objets and two comfy chairs.
Books, vinyl records and plenty of texture come together to create a cozy nook in the corner of this Vancouver apartment.
This couple’s bedroom is located in a separate wing of the home, giving the principal suite a private retreat vibe.
A closet becomes a space for reading with the addition of an armchair and a collection of books.
A corner of this ultra-modern bedroom has low profile seating, cool lighting and neutral tones.
The dining area of this cottage has a wrap-around window seat that offers plenty of space to spread out with a good book.
This cozy corner is exactly where we’d want to spend any rainy day. With a neutral palette, nature becomes the focus.
Who can focus on a book when this is the view? The principal bedroom of this Bowen Island home faces the ocean.
This sun-soaked den has a sofa bed covered in layers of throw pillows to snuggle into no matter the weather.
Virginia Johnson’s light-filled studio features a beautiful chair that serves as the perfect spot for an afternoon break during a busy work day.
This bedroom was originally two small rooms, but removing a wall created space for a window seat and chaise lounge.
Instead of a traditional chair, a swing (requested by the daughter who lives in this room) brings a whimsical feel to the space.
A traditional armchair fits nicely into the bay window of Designer Craig Parkes’ Vancouver bedroom.
The designer also created a snug nook for his son Fitzgerald, complete with whimsical details like the brass F taken from a department store in Texas and lots of foxes (his favorite animal).
Dive into an exciting new book in this bright and cheerful corner of designer Cynthia Ferguson’s saturated bijou home. All that’s missing is a freshly brewed cup of your favorite hot beverage!
Soak up the warmer weather on an outdoor hanging egg chair. Swinging from the large boathouse on this scenic Muskoka property, lake swimmers and sunbathers can read on the water’s edge.
Designer Rita Konig has us California dreamin’ over this library-like sleeping nook outfitted with art, books and an essential reading lamp in a Mill Valley home.
Surround yourself in nature without leaving the bedroom! A lounging corner in this cottage principal bedroom has near panoramic views of the outdoors.
Get lost in a good book on this simple built-in bench upholstered in an inky blue fabric from Marimekko. Located on the south side of this minimalist laneway house, the small nook frames a mature apple tree, so it (almost) feels like you’re reading outdoors.
Everything is better in pairs! Invite a reading buddy to snuggle up in these cozy bouclé-covered chairs with picture-frame windows showcasing the rolling Ontario landscape.
In Toronto shop owner Denise Zidel’s cheerful home, this reading corner has a striking beaded chair found in Cameroon and a kilim that has been in the family for over 50 years.
Flip through the latest issue of House & Home on this luxe royal blue chair in designer Scott Yetman’s enchanting château. “Painting everything black creates a sense of mystery,” he says of his cozy study.
Get comfortable on a curvaceous velvet ochre chair in this sky-high Vancouver condo. Sip a cup of coffee (or tea) and take in the view while you read.
Hideaway with a stack of books in this Victorian guest bedroom. The classic Orkney chair adds to the vintage look and feel.
In their cottage’s guest cabin, John Baker and Juli Daoust-Baker, who own Toronto design store Mjölk, have a sunroom with a classic boathouse feel. The Alvar Aalto daybeds are everyone’s favorite places to read or nod off while enjoying the lake breeze.
Sometimes a simple armchair and a natural stone fireplace is all you need to achieve the perfect reading atmosphere. A stack of logs brings the rustic, West Coast vibe indoors.
Dressing up a window bench with spring throw pillows will make this the ideal spot for settling down with a juicy tome. Plus, your furry friends will want to join you, too!
These matching loveseats allow for some company while curling up with your book of choice. A large floor-to-ceiling window invites the lush lakehouse view in as well.
A hanging egg chair is a fun way to kick-back and relax (especially for the little ones). Plus, sweeping views of nature are a definite perk!
An abundance of natural light makes for an ideal reading spot (it’s important to get that vitamin D whenever you can), while these built-in shelves display special keepsakes.
A seaside-inspired breakfast nook is a great location for reading with your morning coffee. A mix of modern and vintage pieces, plus nautical artwork, adds charm and quirk to the cozy corner.
Designers Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens Craig dressed up this seaside Connecticut home with an eclectic array of classic furniture that makes this reading spot easygoing and bright.
Warm wood walls are the perfect backdrop for a deep-seated armchair in this trad home library.
Finding a spot in your home that is somewhat separate from the hustle and bustle (especially when you have kids) can be tough, but this bright cushioned bench promises at least a few moments of uninterrupted reading.
Dressing simple teak armchairs with oversized cushions and keeping a soft blanket close by creates a comfy lounging spot in this home.
Patterned throw pillows add texture to an otherwise neutral reading bench. Don’t be afraid to mix contrasting hues and patterns.
Avid readers have the tough decision of choosing between a comfy couch or window seat in this moody family room.
Stack your books along the windowsill for easy access — it brings an effortless collected feel, too.
Avid readers have their pick of a cushy bench or high-back wooden chair in this space designed by Scott Yetman.
A collection of cerulean throw pillows and an owl statuette perched on the windowsill give this Manhattan reading nook an eclectic vibe.
An arched alcove holds a collection of beloved tomes in this historic home.
A daybed piled with pillows makes this light-filled space perfect for unwinding with a favorite read.
A tan leather armchair draped with soft throws makes this space comfortable enough to spend all day lost in a good book.
A playfully patterned ottoman invites you to put your feet up in this kid-friendly reading space.
Iconic Fornasetti wallpaper makes a whimsical statement in this alcove by designer Nam Dang-Mitchell.
Look up! A modest reading nook on the upper level makes use of a dead-end hallway. Glass railings make the space feel connected to the rest of the home.
H&H design editor Sally Armstrong transformed an awkward space under the window into a cozy reading nook with pillows and a neon-patterned pouf.
Fabrics in bright colors and daring patterns make this niche a favorite reading zone. Built-in shelves under the bench showcase colorful spines.
A subdued palette gives designer James Davie’s reading nook a laid-back feel, while a deep inset shelf (left) makes the most of a compact footprint.
Indigo accents give this vintage-meets-modern reading nook a cohesive thread. Designer Emily Henderson chose the sage-colored chaise for its charming, old-world European feel.
A plush window seat is a favorite spot to read and relax in this young girl’s bedroom.
Designer Sophie Burke turned extra space in her dressing room into a quaint reading zone. Natural materials and a simple white envelope impart an air of serenity.
Tucked under a window and furnished with plush pillows and throws, this niche is the perfect spot to curl up with a good book and a cup of coffee.
Plush materials, including a velvet armchair and faux fur rug, make this reading nook a favorite destination. Color-blocked books boost visual impact.
Who wouldn’t love catching up on their reading pile while lounging under a large skylight? H&H design editor Kai Ethier relocated sliding glass doors to create this snug space.
Space under the stairs is often left unused, but L.A.-based designer Jeff W Troyer transformed this home’s spandrel into a quaint and cozy reading area.
Architect Darcie Watson created a casual reading nook in this corner of her principal bedroom using thick, tufted floor cushions. “Lowering your level to the floor allows you to experience the room from another angle,” she explains.
A walnut-panelled dividing wall with a bench in its cutout turns this reading area into a stylish design moment. A slender shelf stores favorite titles.