How to create a cozy reading nook or a relaxation-meditation corner?

Ashley Zond
4 min readMay 31, 2022

In our turbulent life, it’s hard to find precious minutes to meditate or read a book. But maybe you simply don’t have the special place for that? Let’s look at what you need to organize a cozy reading corner at home!

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Finding a suitable place in the house

So, first, you need to find this very corner. It doesn’t matter if it’s in a living room, a bedroom, or even a loggia. Make sure there are enough:

- Heat;

- Light (daylight is the best option!);

- Quiet (the opportunity to close the door and retire into the world of literary dreams).

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The essential attributes of comfort and pleasant reading

To create the right atmosphere for our reading corner, you need the following items and simple accessories and details that are probably already part of your home interior.

Armchair, sofa, hammock, rug

The primary condition for a pleasant reading is, of course, a comfortable body position. A comfortable armchair or upholstered chair is an excellent solution for a small space.

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You can build a cozy corner right on the windowsill as well!

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It can also be your favorite sofa or even a hammock. It all depends on your preferences. But don’t put everything at once! Choose to accord to your space, taste, and capabilities.

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To add comfort, choose a small rug with a soft pile. You can choose the size according to your height so that it is convenient to lie down. Round and oval rugs will perfectly fit into any interior.

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Pillows, plaid

Don’t neglect pillows and plaids! With the help of textiles, you can create an atmosphere of comfort, which is especially important in the reading area: just one blanket, a decorative pillow, and a small rug can transform the living space. A well-chosen pillow’s composition can revive the interior, dilute boring colors, and create a unique atmosphere.

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Lighting

I recommend you to choose a reading corner with good daylight. Of course, you will read at different times of the day. That’s why artificial light is also necessary. However, to preserve your vision, try to alternate reading in natural and artificial light.

Clothespin lamps are very convenient as they do not take up much space, and you can direct them directly to the book.

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Partition

A partition or a decorative screen is an optional element. However, if you like privacy while reading and there is no way to allocate a separate room, a screen is a great option. For instance, you can use a bookshelf as a partition or make a screen from improvised means.

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Coffee table and other accessories

A coffee table isn’t the most important attribute of a reading corner, but it’ll give a complete image to your small home library.

A table is functional, because you can put a cup of tea or coffee on it, attach a clothespin lamp, and put your favorite books. Use it to decorate the interior: put a vase with flowers, candlesticks, crystals, or a photo frame.

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Voila! Now your corner has become cozy!

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Ashley Zond

I’m an amateur writer finding my way to interior design column!