With the seasons taking a turn as we look towards Autumn, ‘cosifying’ our spaces is on everyone’s minds. And, what better way to get cosy than snuggling up with a good book?
With BookTok dominating everyone’s ‘For You Page’ on TikTok, now is the perfect time to get involved and start reading more! Even better, why not make a dedicated reading nook in your home, so you can snuggle up with your next BookTok read?
To help you achieve this Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, founder and lighting expert at Dowsing & Reynolds shares her advice on how to create the ultimate reading nook in your home…
1. Find the perfect corner
Ally says: “Reading nooks are perfect pockets in your home that allow you to escape and de-stress from the day – and they don’t take up much space either.
“Whether you have an alcove you’re looking to fill, a window seat, or an empty corner in your living room or bedroom, selecting a few core pieces of furniture will help you create the perfect nook.
“Find a space that will fit an armchair, side table and standing lamp to create the base of your nook. Layer with accessories such as cosy textiles, throws and rugs to create a warm, inviting space.”
2. Choose lighting carefully
Finding the right lighting can be tricky. Ally advises: “When choosing a lamp for your reading nook, make sure that it is tall enough to cast a gentle glow down on you from above. Avoid lamps that come to the same height as you when you’re sitting down – this will help reduce the glare while reading.
“To create a sophisticated look, add a stylish floor lamp to the space.
“Don’t forget to choose a good lampshade to help diffuse the light for a cosy atmosphere.
“Alternatively, opt for a wall light above your seating area. Plug-in wall lights are a great option if you want to avoid rewiring.”
3. Match your bookshelf to the aesthetic of the room
Ally tells us: “If you have space for one, a bookshelf is a natural fit in a reading nook.
“Position your bookshelf behind your armchair to form the perfect backdrop for your reading nook. Here, you can use your books as a piece of décor that reflects your personality and display their colourful spines to add interest and character into your space.
“Try arranging your books by colour to add visual intrigue. Use bookends to separate collections and create space for displaying decorative pieces or photo frames.
“If you don’t have a bookshelf, consider leaning books against a wall or on a ledge for a similar effect.
“Alternatively, stack a few books on the floor next to your armchair for a casual and understated feel.”
4. Don’t forget painting choices
Ally says: “To create a statement and carve out a corner in your home, consider using a different colour for your nook compared to the rest of the room, to help zone the space.
“Play with bold shades such as navy or olive on an accent wall. If the room is already bold, paint the corner in a neutral colour, to create a contrast.
“Colour drench the walls, including the ceiling, for a cocooning effect. Using dark, velvety shades will help create a really inviting and warm space.”
5. Test light and paint pairings
Ally says: “Just like natural light can affect the shade of your painted walls, so can artificial light sources.
“Standard soft white incandescent or LED light bulbs provide warm lighting.
“If you’re unsure which shade will work, test it out in your room by painting the shade on a piece of paper and stick onto the wall, behind the light source to see how it looks.”
6. Add accessories
“To finish your reading nook, play with textures for added cosiness.
“Add a rug to the space, to help tie the corner together before layering throws and blankets onto the armchair.”
