37 Inspiring Reading Nook Ideas for a Cozy Space

We’re thinking outside the living room for this relaxing retreat, but we’re bring all of the essentials—adjustable lighting, antique art, and custom bookshelves in a bold hue. Tip: Drop-in, alcove, or undermount tubs like the one shown here are best suited for this look, as they provide a natural base for built-ins.

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In this sitting room opposite the fireplace, a warm perch above the radiator is topped with a cushion covered in a romantic cabbage rose fabric, which is repeated on the window’s Roman shade. Because every nook needs a book, the couple then wrapped the space in built-in shelving. (They’re attached to a false wall to prevent damaging the cottage’s original plaster.)

Get the Look:
Cushion and Roman Shade Fabric: “Roses” by Kate Forman

Blending sink-in comfort with stately sophistication, the versatile wingback chair encourages fireside lingering and lost-in-a-book leisure. Here, a standing lamp, a comfy rug, and a collected grouping of artwork add to the “just-five-more-minutes-please” appeal.

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Novelist Jean Hanff Korelitz enveloped this nook in her upstairs writer’s room with a mix of meaningful and sentimental items that she likes to see when she looks up from reading of writing. “I wrote a lot of The Plot and The Latecomer in this chair,” Jean says of the hand-me-down slipcovered chaise.

Homeowner Stefanie Turner transformed a seldom-used pass-through into a secret hideaway complete with a fairy tale-worthy wallcovering. The nook, which houses a queen bed, doubles as a guest room—and a linen closet of sorts. “Because our house is so old, there’s very little storage, so I designed the bed so you can lift up the mattress and stow away blankets,” says Stefanie.

Get the Look:
Wall Paint Color: Current Mood by Clare
Wallcovering: “Raphael Blue” by Sandberg Paper

RELATED: Tour more of this cozy Michigan farmhouse.

American Pickers television star Mike Wolfe loves old phones, so, when he found this vintage one, he decided to turn his closet space into a phone booth—which also doubles as a cozy retreat for reading. The colorful accent pillow echoes the red in the wall decor, helping to make the space cohesive.

A crab trap side table and a lamp—both from a local boutique—bookend this sitting area’s oversized and extra-comfy chaise lounge.