Do you have a little corner in your home that is a bit of a wasted space? Or maybe you want to carve out a little area that’s just for you? I’m a big reader and decided to shop our home to create a cosy reading corner. My vintage Ercol chair is the hero piece, and I have added to it to create a comfy and cosy reading corner that’s perfect to curl up in with a good book.
Read on to find out what you need to create your own cosy reading corner. You can also use the same principles to make a cosy space for crafting or any other hobby! You could add a reading corner to your child’s room too – or you could go wild with a den, like we did in our girl’s bedroom.
Our living room is an awkward shape. It’s long and thin with two internal doors, some French windows, a bay window and a fireplace. So the end next to the French windows was a bit of a dead space, until this weekend. I swapped the girls’ play kitchen with our coffee table, so it can hold drinks, a candle and books. It works so much better, especially as there’s a radiator there to keep it cosy.
What You Need To Create a Cosy Reading Corner
You don’t need much to create the cosiest reading corner, here’s how I did it.
Step 1: Pull Up a Comfy Chair
Ours is a vintage Ercol, I have the matching sofa in the main part of our lounge. It needs a bit of TLC with some new cushion covers, and I’d love to have the dark varnish stripped off. But I’ve covered it in some throws for now.
Update: Since writing this post I have recovered my Ercol sofa and chairs using a really simple hack – read about it here.
Step 2: Throw Over a Cosy Blanket
You could go for a colourful blanket but I’m using the grey blanket I made at an I Make Knots workshop last year. I knitted it on my arms and it’s so warm, it’s perfect to snuggle up under.
Step 3: Set the Table
If you have space, add a table or stool to hold drinks, books and flowers. My brother made ours out of reclaimed slate and wood. I added a scented candle to the table, for scent and a warm glow, and there will no doubt be plates of treats on here too – my ultimate flapjack is the perfect reading snack.
Step 4: Add Books and Magazines
My reading pile fits well on our table, and there is a stash of Mollie Makes and house magazines in my polar bear magazine holder.
Step 5: Let There Be Light
There is a plug socket behind the chair, so this corner was crying out for a lamp. I’d had my eye on this Aldi beauty for £39.99 for a few months and finally just decided I needed it! We have the smaller version at the other end of the room, and love it. Or at least I do… my husband asked it we were going to put a shade on it! Um. NO! Now we have matching lights with eco-friendly LED bulbs at each end of the room, it helps to tie the scheme together.
Step 6: Add Art
Behind the new lamp, you can see my two Zeena Shah prints. The grey and turquoise go so well with my scheme.
Step 7: Put Your Feet Up
I added a little beanbag footstool so we can kick back and relax in comfort. The monochrome bird cushion was from ASDA about three years ago and adds a cute touch, and back support.
Making Our Cosy Reading Corner Even More Inviting
I have found a new use for my sequinned belly basket – it holds my back massager when it’s not in use. Using this massager when I’m reading, drinking tea and enjoying my scented candle takes relaxation to a whole new level!
I’m hoping my new set up will encourage me to take time out for myself more often. We all need some down time. All too often mine is filled with life admin or scrolling around social media. What about you? Do you have a place to have some quiet time, in comfort?
I hope my post has encouraged you to make a little place for yourself to treat yourself to some me time! Why not Pin this post for later?
I know I have said it more than once before, but I so want you to come and redesign my house ha! Your home is beautiful x
Ah thanks so much, it’s not looking quite so nice today after several snow days, he he xxx
Every home needs a cosy reading nook in my own opinion. As an avid reader I usually have a stack of books beside it and a cold cup of tea….. think I’ll be adding a chunkier blanket now after seeing this.
He he I always have at least two cold cups of tea hanging about! xx
So pretty! Love the pink and gray color scheme.
Thanks so much, I do love that combo x
Your reading area looks very welcoming. Now that my kids are older I’ve turned the playroom into a kind of library reading room. It’s nice to have a quite place in the house to retreat too!
Ah what a lovely idea! xx
A great transformation and I love the colours you’ve chosen too.
Thanks so much Fiona xx
I’m also guilty of not taking enough time out to read! I really like your reading nook. I’m loving the table lamp and floor lamp. I love mixing old vintage pieces with modern furniture. That ercol chair would look fabulous upholstered in a nice bold colour pop fabric. I love incorporating old furniture into interior schemes; my last home had vintage sheer curtains that were altered in a modern style and I also had a 27 year old footstool re-upholstered with some velvet fabric and velvet piping and it really transformed it! It’s great because it’s good for the environment but nice to have items in your home that have history and a story behind them.
I love it when old furniture can be repurposed, I hate seeing anything go to landfill! xx
We should all try to devote more time for reading and, by creating such a cosy nook, you really don’t have an excuse not to. 🙂
Thanks, I hope it will help! x
I’m the same. Haven’t read a book in about four years, not since the kids came along. I really need to resolve to get off my phone more often so I can read more. I’d love a cosy reading nook like this. I’m hoping to create one in my bedroom. I got my mum to reupholster my nursing chair in a beautiful scion fabric so I can keep it as a reading rocker. I just hope I can find the space for it. Your cosy nook has inspired me to crack on with my plans.
Oh what a great idea to repurpose your nursing chair, and I bet it looks great in Scion fabric! I hope you can create something lovely xx
Oh what a great idea to repurpose your nursing chair, and I bet it looks great in Scion fabric! I hope you can create something lovely xx
This looks so cosy and relaxing, I have the Aldi table lamps in my bedroom and love the warm glow they give off! The blanket looks amazing too, I definitely need to attempt to knit one myself!
The Aldi lamps are so great aren’t they? Such great value. I highly recommend making a blanket, it was so much fun! xx
I have a similar problem – my living room is long and thin too and theres a fireplace bang in the middle. we have all the couch/armchairs on one end and there’s a lot of empty dead space ads you enter the room.. It gives me a headache. I bought a new sofa and waiting for it to be delivered soon before I start using the second side of it. You’ve done really well here, great job styling! Love the armchair!
Thanks so much Jenny, I love this chair so I’m really pleased to be able to use it more. I hope your sofa comes soon! xx
Oh this is such a lovely and well put together space id love to snuggle up here
Thanks Pati, I am really enjoying it (when it’s not covered in clean washing!) x
Your tips are awesome! You definitely made this corner look so cozy and inviting and I love all the pastel colors you chose!
Thank you so much Hayden, I am really enjoying this space xx