If curling up this autumnal season with a good book sounds dreamy, but you don’t have a dedicated spot to read, or are looking to freshen up and add home resale value your existing space, then consider investing in a book nook. Nooks take all shapes and sizes, providing a nice, enclosed space that is both comforting and energizing. These spaces can help you focus better, and provide a great way to unwind and watch the leaves fall from trees outside. We’ve broken down the major things to consider when designing a nook below to help you on your journey to create the perfect space.

 

Location, Location, Location

Where you decide to put your nook is almost as important as the design of the nook itself. Although your nook will be partially enclosed from the rest of the room, there’s a lot to consider. How accessible do you want your nook to be? Where in your house has the best thermal regulation? Is there a place you find yourself drawn toward for reading?

If you’re anything like us, you’ll probably answer that you tend to read books by large, expansive windows. Windows provide a great source of natural light while also giving you an amazing view for when you look up from your book wistfully. A picture window, with its clear sightlines, is a perfect candidate for a more rectangular enclosed look. If you’re looking for something a bit more immersive, consider a bay window. Bay windows provide a natural curvature that provides the perfect sitting space for a little nook, being simultaneously enclosed while also getting a beautiful view.

 

Furniture

Although there’s no limit to what kind of nook you can make, there’s generally two kinds: built-in and external nooks. Built-in nooks usually have benches and maybe even a bookshelf built into the wall itself, and usually require some kind of customization or DIY to get the perfect seat. External nooks, on the other hand, involve strategically setting up furniture and bookshelves to provide a similarly enclosed feeling without getting out the power tools.

For external nooks, try to find seating and bookshelves that bring the space together. You can do this by matching colors and using warm, earthy tones to draw attention toward the window. You’ll need to find furniture that can fit snugly next to the window, giving you the maximum amount of natural light to prevent eye strain. Focus on finding comfortable, supportive furniture that you can see curling up in on cloudy days, and consider adding a coffee table for those times you have to quickly pick up or put down your book.

For built-in nooks, focus on finding a great cushion for the seat. Since you’re next to the window you don’t have to worry about the chair’s fit in the space, but the lack of support on a bench can get tiring. Finding a great cushion that fits your aesthetic is a perfect way to help remedy sitting fatigue. Also consider putting a fabric headboard against one of the walls to give your back extra support.

 

Mood & Accessories

Don’t forget the pillows! Feel free to incorporate your own personal style with blankets, pillows, and other comfy items. Take a moment to think about lighting: as it gets dark outside during the winter months, you may want to have mood lighting such as dim wall sconces, or a fun lamp. Nooks are at their best when they look inviting, so be sure to pick out lighting that draws you in. You may also want to consider making your nook out of warm materials such as wood. If you’re looking to match your window’s trim to your wood bench, our Versawood Woodgrain Interior option is a perfect option to bring back to natural, warm tones. Bringing in nature itself can also make a space extra inviting. Having greenery nearby can help stabilize your mood and give you the calm you need to focus on a good book.

 

Reading nooks are an easy way to add value to any home: an enclosed space away from the hubbub of everyday life where you can get lost in a great book. Creating the perfect space provides you with not only higher home resale value, but also a better mood, focus, and the peace of mind to enjoy that next amazing book. So curl up with a blanket, enjoy your new, improved space, and get lost in some pages!