40 most beautiful reading nooks
Let these beautiful reading nooks, niches, and alcoves inspire you to find a place in your home that would become a doorway to the magic of books.
In times of life running at the speed of a web browser, it’s extremely difficult to get focused.
A nice little hiding place designed to serve one single goal – reading – can be helpful in fighting digital distractions (for instance, a temptation to check out how many likes the new Facebook status has received).
Unlike other posts with beautiful things related to reading, under every entry in this list you will find the link to the interior design studio that created it. You’re one step closer to bringing a little reading heaven to your home!
We have found all these beautiful reading nooks on Houzz, a picture-driven social network for people interested in interior design and decorating ideas.
A page dedicated to each item shared on Houzz contains questions and answers (for instance, which materials were used, and where to buy them), and usually a very long discussion section.
Once you set up a decent reading area, take a good book, grab the coffee, and make sure you won’t allow Facebook or Twitter in here.
Want to find more interior designs focused on books? Make sure to explore our list of home library ideas.
If you are not ready to remodel your home but would like to create a cozy place dedicated to books, check out a list of cool and affordable reading nook accessories.
40 most beautiful reading nook designs
1
Eclectic farmhouse reading nook. This colorful and cozy reading nook is located in a long hallway between the living room and the kitchen.
It’s the perfect spot for resting and reading without being too excluded from the rest of the home. These beautiful pillows were embroidered by Kristin Nicholas herself. Designed by Kristin Nicholas and Mark Duprey.
2
Cozy reading nook in a kids’ room. This beautiful area is created in an eclectic gender-neutral carpeted kids’ today room. Designed by Karen Joy Interiors.
3
Reading nook in a contemporary bedroom. As a part of a modern house in Toronto, there is a little window resting area perfect for reading.
The window wall is receded to accommodate the bed. Underneath there are three drawers for additional storage space. Designed by Boxwood Architects.
4
Rustic bedroom reading nook. A rustic style bedroom on the upper floor of a lake house has a window area transformed into a reading spot. The daybed doubles as a storage bench. Designed by Holmes Hole Builders.
5
Attic reading nook. A reading place in a traditional loft-style bedroom in Minneapolis. It’s an example of how to creatively embrace the sloped walls. Designed by Kathryn Johnson Interiors. Designed by Kathryn Johnson Interiors.
6
A reading space near fireplace. The reading nook was created in a remodeled family room in Baltimore. The shelves are 2 3/4″ thick and were made by the cabinet maker. Designed by DK Interiors.
7
Mountain lodge window reading nook. An extremely cozy place overlooking a magnificent mountain view – a perfect place to reveal the escapist in you. Designed by Michael Rex Architects.
8
Reading nook in a rustic hallway. The hallway in this rustic style residence in New York is so much more than just a space connecting a living room with other part of the house.
The hallway includes white bookshelves and on the window side a long relaxing space for reading with lots of pillows. Designed by Workshop/APD.
9
Reading nook under the stairs. An area under the stairs is often wasted – unless it’s turned into a cozy and beautiful reading nook like this one.
The bookshelves underneath pull out like a drawer to reveal more storage. The little door to the left leads to a secret hideout for the kids. On the right, there is a door to the powder room. Designed by JWT Associates.
10
Staircase reading nook. This is another, and highly unconventional, idea for a hiding place under the stairs. Perfect for playing and reading, this curved space resembles a cave with a dimmed light. Designed by CplusC Architectural Workshop.
11
Window reading seat. This example shows that making a cozy reading spot is not an expensive thing. It’s just a question of adapting an area around the attic window. Designed by LDa Architecture and Interiors.
12
A climbing library and reading nook. The bookcases act as cushioned benches, tall steps and undulated ceilings, nestled in the tree tops.
This modern staircase remodel beckons reading, sleeping, and dreaming. Designed by Dialect.
13
Beach-style reading nook. A beautifully arranged reading area in a beach-style house. The triple window is wide enough to fit the regular size daybed. Designed by McAlpine Booth and Ferrier Interiors.
14
Upper reading room. This cozy reading place on the upper floor has a built-in bed. It’s a part of a magical woodland retreat, incorporating historic hewn, stone and stucco. Designed by Miller Architects.
15
Reading alcove by the window. A window seat is an unexpected place for a reading nook, but look how fantastic it can be! To get there, you’ll have to use a short ladder.
This sunny place, somewhere in the middle of the house, separates you from everyone and everything. Designed by Ana Williamson.
16
Cabinet reading seating. The built-in closet cabinet has a window from end to end. This is where the reading seat is located. The cabinet is contemporary, stylish, in earth colors. Designed by Terrat Elms Interior Design.
17
Minimalist window reading nook. This attic reading nook contains a lounge chair “embracing” the round window, LED baseboard lighting, and storage drawers. No other details that could potentially draw away the attention from reading. Designed by Studio North.
18
Window reading nook in a rustic bedroom. This reading space is a part of a restored bedroom with a rustic dark wood floor and ceiling inserts from new wood. Designed by Design Bar.
19
Built-in window reading area. Upper store room, originally made for teens, was changed to a resting and reading area, matching the corner window. Designed by Prentiss Architects.
20
Nordic House reading nook. A reading bench in a cabin like that is a perfect escape destination for every reader. Natural wood and decoration, with contrasting red pillows, and a curtain to further separate from a reality. Designed by Montana Reclaimed Lumber Co.
21
Window reading seat. The window alcove was designed to be cozy and comfortable enough to spend all day reading. Sunny, bright and evoking positive feelings. Designed by LeBlanc Design.
22
Bedroom with a built-in reading nook. A cottage bedroom was rearranged during renovation to include a hidden reading nook at the back of a double bed.
The entire room is kept in white. The only color accent is the paper from vintage books on bookshelves. Designed by Sullivan Building & Design Group.
23
Round window reading nook. The round window in a kids’ room was designed to create a cozy reading space. Designed by Kevin O’Sullivan + Associates.
24
Upper deck secret reading nook. Reading nooks by the window are pretty popular, but what about the reading nook behind the window?
This outside reading area surrounded by brick walls is a wonderful place to spend with a good book. A cushioned bench gets some privacy thanks to vintage shutters and vines trailing down. Designed by Hunter Design.
25
Traditional reading alcove. The window reading area is a part of the living room of the historic Percival Thompson House.
In earth tone colors, with decorative pillows, the reading alcove fits the exotic, painted style of the room. Designed by Tommy Chambers Interiors, Inc.
26
Family room library and reading space. The window library is a part of a large transitional open concept family room library idea with white walls, no fireplace, and no TV set. Designed by Raina Henderson Interior Design.
27
Modern bedroom reading nook. The stone extension jamb forms an entire reading alcove, a part of the contemporary and stylish bedroom. Designed by Rockefeller Partners Architects.
28
Reading nest by a fireplace. The style resembles the bedroom window nook we’ve just shared above, but this is a totally different place, and totally different author.
While many reading nooks are placed close to the source or natural light, this one is placed close to the source of warmth. The seating nook, or rather nest, is next to a fireplace. Imagine reading a book here during a frosty winter! Designed by Birdseye Design.
29
Contemporary bedroom reading nook. A reading nook in the middle of a wall of cabinets – a nice idea for a roof deck penthouse in San Francisco. Designed by De Meza + Architecture.
30
Reading niche for a contemporary kid room. It’s placed inside a recessed attic space, and sized to fit a twin mattress. A small hiding place for your son or daughter. Designed by Merzbau Design Collective.
31
Kid room book nook. Eclectic reading area with built-in shelves. A wonderful use of space, shapes, and colors. Great idea for a kid room. Designed by Morgante Wilson Architects.
32
Playroom reading nook. The reading alcove is placed at the end of a cute playroom, close to the magical round window. Designed by Rock Paper Hammer.
33
Traditional-style reading nook and library. A wonderful idea to turn an unused closet into a perfect go-away-am-reading spot. There are bookshelves from top to bottom on each wall, and a plush seating in the center.
With all important books within the reach of the hand, you don’t need to leave this cozy and functional reading space all day long. Designed by Susan Jay Design.
34
Hidden reading nook in a loft-style flat. A partly hidden area near hallway includes a resting place and stairs with drawers that can serve as bookshelves. Designed by Jordan Parnass Digital Architecture.
35
Bedroom reading bench with storage. This reading nook in a bedroom closet can be used as an extra bed. Made in transitional style, it’s filled with large, accent pillows. Designed by Jennifer Robin Interiors.
36
Contemporary-style window reading nook. A reading area in the modern home is located by the terrace window and sliding door. The reader sits on the edge of the fictional and real world. Great for reading and meditation. Designed by Mahoney Architects & Interiors.
37
A cozy nook in an unused closet. An unused closet under the stairs was reimagined as a cozy space to curl up and read a book. Designed by Align Design.
38
Rustic hall reading nook. Walk through the rustic style wooden hallway, open the curtains, and you’ll see a cozy nap and reading nook. Perfect idea to make use of every spare space in a cottage by the lake. Designed by Michelle Fries, BeDe Design.
39
Sunroom reading nook. Again, the reading nook in a hallway (see it on the left, bathed in the sun?). This time not wooden, with dimmed, evening light, but catching every beam of sun and every moment of the day. Happy people live somewhere near Santa Barbara.
40
Beach style reading nook. Cozy window space for book lovers in a beach style living room library. Designed by Bohlert Massey Interiors.
Bonus
Transform any area into a reading nook. This picture shows how easy it is to make a cozy place for reading. You don’t need an interior decorator for that.
All you need is a bean bag, a lamp, and a couple of baskets stacked with books and magazines. Add some pillows, make yourself a coffee… and start reading!
• • •
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