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Zen Spaces: Cozy Bedroom Reading Nooks and Corners that are Just Perfect!

Everyone needs a space to rest, relax and unwind. Sometimes it comes in the form of a relaxing poolside setting with a couple of chairs and some shade. Then at times you have that attic escape which acts as a great little space for a short staycation. Then there is the ultimate escape – a cozy nook in your personal sanctuary that is the bedroom. While window seats and reading spaces in the corner are common as two separate features, combining the two to create that ultimate, comfortable ‘book nook’ is one that stands out from the crowd. This is a look at beautiful and brilliant bedroom reading nooks that are just exceptional.

Exquisite bedroom with chevron pattern wooden flooring, fabulous reading nook with lovely bookshelf [From: studio HINGE]

A reading nook in any other room of the house is much different from one in the bedroom. It feels a lot more personal both because of its place and the way it is designed. For the bibliophile who values comfort, the bedroom reading zone acts as a wonderful secondary space that takes him away from the main library in the house and offers something different. This is a reading nook retreat unlike anything else and the many inspirations below showcase this perfectly –

More than Just a Chair in the Corner!

Yes, you can create a perfectly functional and adequate reading nook in the bedroom with just a chair, side table and floor lamp and we will get to that as well down the line. But we start off with inspirations that are just picture-perfect bedroom reading corners and almost all of these utilize a series of bookshelves, a custom window seat and have a certain ‘it’ factor above them. The window seat does much more than just offer a fabulous view of the world outside. It brings natural light to the reading nook and also provide additional storage space.

Mesmerizing view of the ocean from the reading nook makes it that much more special
Window seats in the bedroom provide the most comfortable place for a relaxing reading nook [From: Buckenmeyer Architecture]
Let the window seat and reading nook in the bedroom reflect the style of the bedroom
Lighting for the reading nook combines ambient and sconce light

Getting the Basics Right

The most important part of the ideal bedroom reading nook is to ensure that it fits in with the style of the bedroom and yet has an identity of its own. The basic idea here is to delineate the space and often tucking it in a snug little corner helps immensely. Space is not really a constraint in here and often, it is the smaller, more modest reading nook that look the best. Apart from the obvious floating shelves and custom bench that provide snug seating, you might want to also take into consideration the direct sunlight this area receives. In tropical and sub-tropical regions, a reading nook with wrong orientation next to the window can get very hot and quick!

Find space for the tranquil reading nook in the tiniest of bedrooms [From: Overmyer Architects]
Midcentury modern bedroom in LA shows that space is not a constraint when it comes to small reading nooks
Reading nook in this rustic bedroom is fashioned using just a floor lamp, comfy chair and ottoman [From: I D Studio]
Create your own custom window seat with built-in storage and bookshelves all around for a perfect reading nook
Drapes for the reading nook give a sense of privacy while delineating the space elegantly [From: Tobi Fairley Interior Design]

Meeting Your Needs

Not everyone has the same view of a reading nook in the bedroom and some might just prefer the ergonomics of a comfy club chair and ottoman to a window seat of daybed. If you read for long hours, this makes plenty of sense and creating a reading nook like this is also far less expensive. First, you need to pick the right reading chair, settle on a slim floor lamp and everything else is just optional. Using a half-wall or partition to divide the bedroom from this reading zone also gives vertical space for floating shelves while adding a small desk in this corner also gives you a home workspace that is tranquil and efficient.

Simple and elegant reading nook in the modern bedroom of Saint Petersburg apartment with a cozy chair and a few floating shelves [From: Jsobol Design]
Wall partially divides the bedroom from the reading space while also creating a connectivity between the two [From: Karin Payson architecture + design]
Window seat with a work desk and bookshelf next to it does more than offer just a reading zone
Collection of closed cabinet and open shelves creates space for storage and books in this bedroom [From: J Patryce Design]

So, are you ready to give your bedroom a makeover this fall by adding a book nook to it?

Sherry Nothingam

Sherry is a blogger who loves to live her life to the fullest. She enjoys everything associated with design, décor and stylish modern trends. Born in California, Sherry has grown up on open ranches and in a wild setting, which has defined her taste for design and developed her interest in examining how structures and homes interact with the beauti[...]

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