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When the cool winds and rainy days arrive, it can give us the excuse we needed to slow down, hide under a warm blanket and grab a book. But what can you do to create a dedicated reading nook that is comfortable, inspiring and actually provides the perfect light for reading by?
How to Create the Perfect Reading Nook
A reading nook doesn't need an entire room. With the right combination of comfortable seating, practical lighting and a few carefully chosen accessories, even an unused corner of a bedroom, living room or home office can become a dedicated place to sit down with a book.
Whether you want a simple chair beside a window or a more elaborate library with floor-to-ceiling shelving, the basic principles are the same. Here's how to create a reading nook that is both comfortable and practical.
1. Choose the Right Spot
Start by finding a quiet corner where you can comfortably sit without being disturbed. A space beside a window can make the most of natural daylight, while an unused corner of a bedroom or living room can be transformed with relatively little furniture.
Think about how the space will be used throughout the day. If you mainly read during daylight hours, positioning your chair near a window can provide plenty of natural light. For evening reading, you'll need to consider where your lamp will sit and whether there is a convenient power source nearby.
Don't worry if you don't have much space. A reading nook can be as simple as a single armchair, lamp and small side table.
2. Choose a Comfortable Reading Chair
The chair is the first piece of reading nook furniture to consider. After all, even the most beautifully designed corner won't get much use if it isn't comfortable.
Look for an armchair with enough support to sit in for longer periods, while considering the proportions of the space around it. A larger statement chair can anchor a spacious reading corner, while a more compact design may work better in a bedroom or smaller living room.
William Wood's collection of armchairs includes designs that can bring both comfort and character to a reading space. A soft boucle chair such as the Hudson can create a relaxed, tactile feel, while the curved Camille armchair offers a more expressive silhouette.
3. Decide Between a Table Lamp and Floor Lamp
Once you've chosen your chair, consider how you want to light the space. The right lighting needs to provide enough illumination for reading while also contributing to the atmosphere of the room.
Table Lamps
A table lamp is a natural choice if you have room for a side table next to your armchair. It keeps the light close to where you are sitting and gives you somewhere to place a book, drink or reading glasses.
William Wood's table lamp collection includes designs that can also act as decorative features. Position one beside your chair and you have both a practical reading light and another opportunity to introduce texture, shape or colour into the space.
Floor Lamps
If space is limited, a floor lamp can provide illumination without requiring an additional table. But it's biggest benefit is that it can sit directly beside or behind the armchair, providing a more direct light for reading under.
William Wood's floor lamp collection includes a range of styles that can work alongside different interiors. The Ivy Dark Wood Drum Shade Floor Lamp, for example, can complement a reading nook with warmer wood tones, while the Esme Light Wood Inverted Scallop Shade Floor Lamp offers a lighter, more contemporary look.
4. Position Your Lighting for Reading
Once you've chosen your lamp, think about its position rather than simply placing it wherever there is space. Ideally, the light should illuminate your book without shining directly into your eyes or creating distracting shadows across the page.
For a floor lamp, positioning it beside or slightly behind the chair can help direct light towards your reading position. A table lamp should sit at a comfortable height relative to your chair, providing focused illumination without overwhelming the space.
If possible, use your reading nook at different times of day before settling on the final position. Natural daylight will change considerably between morning and evening, so a position that works perfectly during the afternoon may need additional lighting later on.
5. Add a Side Table
A side table isn't essential, but it can make a reading nook considerably more practical. It gives you somewhere to put your current book, a cup of tea, reading glasses or a small decorative object.
Choose a table that is proportionate to your chair rather than trying to fill the space with oversized furniture. A sculptural wooden design can also introduce another material or texture to the corner.
A piece such as the Savanna Large Dark Wood Irregular Wooden Coffee Table can bring an organic shape and deeper wood tones into a reading space.
6. Make It Comfortable
Once the essential furniture is in place, turn your attention to comfort. A soft throw can make the chair feel more inviting, while a cushion can provide additional support and introduce another colour or texture.
Consider the wider room, too. Plants, artwork, bookshelves and decorative objects can help your reading nook feel connected to the rest of the space rather than looking like a collection of unrelated furniture.
A small rug beneath the chair can also help define the area, particularly if your reading nook is part of a larger living room or bedroom.
7. Add the Finishing Touches
The final step is to make the reading nook feel like somewhere you genuinely want to spend time. Keep a selection of your favourite books within easy reach, add a candle or decorative object if it suits the room, and choose accessories that reflect your personal style.
You could also use the wall behind or beside your chair to introduce artwork or a mirror. A carefully positioned mirror can reflect natural or lamp light around the room while making a smaller corner feel more open.
The best reading nooks don't need to follow a particular formula. Start with a comfortable chair, add practical lighting, and build around it with pieces that make the space feel like your own.
Whether your ideal reading spot is a minimalist corner beside a window or a cosy, layered space surrounded by books, the aim is the same: create somewhere comfortable that makes you want to sit down and read.
The only thing left to do now is to pick the next book from your TBR pile.
