Our home had a corner of underutilized space that was begging for a reading nook. On a recent trip to IKEA, we found a discounted Karlstad chair with a deep seat that seemed like the perfect fit, so we brought it home and set to work giving the corner a mini makeover.
What You Need
Materials
• An armchair with a wide, deep seat to curl up in
• Side table large enough for books
• Floor lamp, table lamp, or sconce
• Throw pillow and a blanket
• Artwork and/or other accessories
• Books
Shown Above
• Karlstad Armchair from IKEA, $250 (comes with a 10-year warranty)
• Prince Aha Stool from Design Within Reach, $110
• Floor Lamp from JCPenney, no longer available
• Framed Drawing from Rothschilds Antiques
• Lush Pillow from Unison Home, on sale for $36
• Ralph Lauren Cable Knit Throw, $100
Instructions
- Clear out a corner or alcove in your home.
- Add a comfortable armchair with a wide, deep seat.
- Add a side table.
- Plug in a floor lamp or table lamp, or hardwire a sconce. Some people prefer to use adjustable task lighting.
- Add a throw pillow and a blanket to warm up the area.
- Hang some artwork or use other accessories, like a footstool or rug, to personalize the space.
- Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee.
- Grab a book.
- Start reading!
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(Images: Sarah Coffey)
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Under what you need you forgot to add, an apartment/home large enough to devote a corner to reading. Sigh, I've always wanted a reading nook, but alas my places have always been too small.
I just posted a reading nook on my blog - though I titled it "Cozy Spot". Has all the required elements, I think. http://catherineboardman.com/wordpress/?p=290
@callmecath I love it!
Too bad about the lamp not being available. I've been admiring it for some time now
Dammit, I just looked at this to see where the lamp came from! Why is it so hard to find nice lamps???
R-Claw--
I live in a 485-sq-ft studio and have corner chair/table/lamp combo. Don't give up hope!
what about an ottoman?? i <3 to put my feet up while i'm reading :)
How is this a hack? Give us something useful!
Like... how to build-in a bench that can be used as a reading nook and neatly store your books inside or something.
Telling me to go spend $500 to buy a chair, table, and lamp is hardly Hack-worthy advice. No matter how detailed your instructions and materials list.
@eghelms - don't be a bugger, if your not inspired by it, move on..
quaint post and super cosy idea!
This makes me laugh. Thanks for the instructions for how to put a chair in a corner.
I do kind of agree with eghelms re: the use of the term "hack." I don't see how things like recipes or instructions of how to move a chair into a corner are "hacks." Doesn't "hack" imply some kind of improvisation or shortcut?
That said, I do love a reading nook. We lucked into an apartment with a recessed wall in the livingroom that's perfect for 2 of our bookcases and a chair, lamp, and table. All we need is an ottoman.
Grr---thanks for the laugh! And the instructions weren't even complete...they forgot to tell us to get a $200 footstool.
(we're really not "buggers" Jennifer119, we're just having some fun)
i bought that EXACT same ikea chair in the as-is section and then bought that EXACT green leaf upholstery for it. i love how cozy this looks, definitely a good inspiration for my space!
Is the Ikea chair comfy to sit in for long periods? We're trying to turn our upstairs landing into a reading nook, and we're looking for inexpensive but comfortable chairs.
I looove that floor lamp!
I love that the book cover and the chair kind of match. Hm, done on purpose? :)
You made it see so easy: Chair, lamp, book.... But each time I try it, it just never works out! Maybe there are more thorough instruction on WikiHow, RealSimple and Martha were no help at all!
@eghelms You should meet bepsf. I wish this site had a forum, so we could talk to each other and ignore the posts.
@jennifer119: I'm not being a bugger at all, I WAS inspired by this post, but ultimately, disappointed with the lack of actual "tips." AND, instead of just griping, I made a suggestion as to what I was hoping to find here.
In retrospect, I now title it my "How to Make a Constructive Complaint on an AT Post Hack."
This throw pillow is gorgeous! I love making those: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=40722438 They really can transform a reading nook into a super cozy space of your own style!
I really appreciate this idea. I think it's such a let down after the holidays that anything that gives me a simple little project to do is super. My house is so tiny, I may go for a swivel chair and put a dropdown table on the wall behind the chair so the tiny space can double-duty for writing, etc., if necessary. Anyway, this is getting my creative juices going.
Having a reading nook is essential to my sanity, even if it's only a wing chair next to the bed. I'm lucky in this new apt in that I have a view of the city from 11 floors up from my chair next to the bed.
In smaller spaces, I've created a "nook" with a shoji screen to block my view of my tiny, messy space. It helped me breathe
I too love my reading nook. It's tucked in the kitchen. A chair, ottoman and reading lamp under the window.
love the flannery o'connor book on the table! that's what'll be in my nook too, as soon as i get around to making one. thanks for the inspiration!