What do I need for a cosy reading corner?

Lily Cichanowicz Lily Cichanowicz
Wimbledon, LEIVARS LEIVARS Salas de estilo moderno
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In this day and age we tend to be exposed to excessive amounts of screen time. Though a riveting television series and sappy romantic comedies have their place, when we spend most of the workday glued to a computer screen it’s important to give your brain a break. Reading is incredibly good for our minds and our imaginations. It can help you to stay sharp and give you practice at focusing your concentration. Plus, there is just something so intimate and fulfilling about slipping into a great story with a warm cup of tea at your side. To promote consistent reading habits, it’s best to designate a specific spot in your home just for reading. With soaring real estate prices, many of us do not have the space in our homes to dedicate an entire room to reading. No worry. Equipped with the right materials, a cosy little corner will do.

Get comfortable in a favourite chair

Perhaps the best way to make sure you stay put and see your story through is to make sure you have a comfy place to curl up with your book. This is truly a matter of personal preference so be honest with yourself when choosing the chair for your reading room. Ask yourself whether the chair is truly supportive to your back and your joints. If not, you’ll likely find yourself avoiding picking up that book you keep hearing about, favouring some time parked in front of the TV on your more comfortable living room sofa. Next, style is a factor of course. Selecting a chair that either coordinates with or complements the rest of the room as an accent can add to the overall aesthetic of the space. We love this chair by Hall + Bednarczyk Architects as it is sleek and stylish while also surprisingly comfortable. Situating your reading corner beside the fireplace certainly isn’t a bad idea either.

Add a suitable shelf

Wimbledon, LEIVARS LEIVARS Salas de estilo moderno

Equally as important as the reading chair is a convenient place in proximity to store your reading repertoire. Choose a shelf that accommodates all your existing books along with some added room for expansion. In the meantime you can occupy the extra space on the bookshelf with some decorative accessories that put you at ease. We’ll be discussing this in more detail shortly. This floor to ceiling shelving unit with an accompanying ladder really helps to define the reading area because it feels very much like a small library. You may also consider adding definition to your reading corner by using the bookshelf as a barrier between it and the rest of the home. This is an especially useful strategy in a large open plan layout or in a bedroom.

Soften things up with some textiles

Cosy Home House Envy Salas de estilo escandinavo

Just about any existing chair or loveseat can be made more comfortable with the addition of some cosy pillows, cushions and blankets. This is another easy way to add some colour to a space or to help integrate your reading corner with the rest of the room. You can use the textiles to create a specific sense of style to the corner as well. These pale blue pillows and furry blanket, for instance, make the reading corner more Scandinavian in appearance. Mixing textiles can help to cultivate a Mediterranean ambiance, and so forth. Just remember, the primary aim in this situation is to put comfort first. A seat with a soft blanket is more likely to draw you in to extended amounts of time spent reading.

The right lighting

HOME STAGING BASICO PAMPLONA www.jaioneelizaldehs.es homify Oficinas de estilo moderno

Lighting in the reading corner should be focused and easily manipulated. You don’t want to rely on a large overhead light fixture because it’s best if the surrounding areas are dim and relaxing. The only critical element of the reading nook that needs to be illuminated is the words on the page. Therefore, we suggest you go with a floor lamp like this one. It allows the reader the ability to angle it to best fit their position and lighting needs. Ideally, the reading corner is situated near a window. Natural light is always the way to go if possible when illuminating the space. Though even if this is so, it isn’t always readily available so we still suggest investing in a good light. If you find the light emitted from your lamp to be too harsh, consider investing in a lamp with a pretty lampshade or a fixture with a dimmer switch.

A tiny table will do

Though it might not be the most intuitive aspect of a reading corner, it’s a great idea to include a small table. This way you can sip a favourite beverage or munch on a tasty snack. It can also be a good spot to stow some reading glasses, a notebook, and pen or highlighter for marking meaningful quotes while you read. It might be best to keep the phone or tablet away from this table, however. It’s all too easy to swap your book for a browse through social media. The table ought to be small in order to fit easily in the reading corner amongst the other necessary furnishings. This split-level table makes for an enhanced reading setup as smaller items like glasses and pens can be stored on the lower level. Make sure the table is positioned within easy reach of the chair. This will help prevent spills and keep you from having to get up repeatedly.

Accessorise to facilitate good energy flow

Accessorise with items that encourage positivity, relaxation, and focus. Above all else, in creating a cosy reading corner the space must be inviting, a spot that you want to spend time in. Putting plants in and around your reading corner is an excellent place to start. The presence of plants and natural materials is proven to enhance concentration while simultaneously promoting inner tranquillity. This is a nice state to be in as you transport yourself into a good story. Additionally, adding prisms to channel light in aesthetically pleasing ways will improve energy flow in the reading corner. The flicker of candlelight will help to create a timeless ambiance, so if you’re wondering what to do with the handful of candles you have lying around the house, why not stick them in the reading corner? The last piece of advice we have on the topic of accessorising the reading corner is to keep it clutter free.

If you found this Idea book helpful, but would like some more inspiration, take a look at this sensational and cosy home in Ukraine. Happy decorating! 

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