How To Make A Cosy Reading Corner
By Ana Zuravliova
When going on holiday, one of the first things we pack is a good book, or two. Synonymous with lounging by the pool, reading is a great hobby to get into during the summer months. That said, why simply delve into the pages of an amazing story when abroad? With reading still an important pastime for adults, and a vital point of development for children, we’ll be exploring how you can make the perfect reading corner as part of your home’s decor!
The importance of reading at home
Reading is the perfect way to unwind, grow your imagination and understand important facets of life on earth. Where TV, games and movies manifest and present everything for you, the scenes in your head when you read a book will be unique to you. This is an often overlooked benefit of reading. As a result, creating a cosy, comfortable corner in your home to relax in with a good book will help you find peace, harmony and wisdom. These are our top tips for making a reading corner at home.
The perfect colours for reading spaces
Curating a cosy reading corner is all about cultivating an environment that feels warm, inviting, and conducive to relaxation. The best colours for such a space typically include soft, muted tones that evoke a sense of calm and comfort.
Warm neutrals like beige, taupe, and creamy whites create a soothing backdrop that can be easily accented with richer hues. Earthy shades like moss green, terracotta, and soft browns add a touch of nature and warmth, enhancing the snug atmosphere. Soft blues and dusty pinks can also provide a gentle, calming effect without overwhelming the senses. Integrating these colours through quality blinds, beautifully soft cushions, and lamp shades can transform a reading corner into a haven of tranquillity, perfect for getting lost in everything from Harry Potter to the Hobbit.
Special focus should also be given to lavender colours. Lavender, both the colour and the scent, is superb for a reading corner. Adding pops of lavender via your cushions and lamp shades, with a lovely scented candle or diffuser will see you enjoy reading throughout the summer and beyond.
Light and bright
The enemy of reading is darkness. When you can’t clearly see the words, you won’t only be able to not read, but you may strain and damage your eyes trying to do so.
Therefore, ensuring your reading corner is beautifully lit is the first consideration.
Natural light is one of the best ways to illuminate your reading space so starting near a nice big window is a good idea. That said, glare from the sun, or nosey neighbours and passersby can be distracting so finding a window covering that will let in plenty of light while keeping you private is a must.
Soft coloured voiles, illusion blinds and Venetian blinds are all fabulous options for letting light into your room but keeping prying eyes out.
If, however, it’s not convenient to make your reading corner near a window, artificial light from a beautiful lamp or light fitting will do almost just as well. As with the blind, you can have a bit of fun with the lamp shade, infusing your space with a restful colour. Speaking of which…
Reading corners for children ideas
All of the aforementioned ideas are equally good for a child’s reading space also, but there is even more you can do here! Firstly, consider adding a colourful kids curtain or blind to the window. This can showcase your little one’s favourite characters, landscapes or even the wonder of space.
For curtains, Roman blinds and roller blinds, consider bright colours, joyful designs and soft, luxurious fabrics.
For avid readers who love to read in both the day and the evening, you can also consider a Day & Night blind! Also known as ‘Zebra blinds,’ these blinds offer the perfect balance between light control and privacy. These fashionable and functional blinds feature alternating strips of fabric that slide against each other, allowing you to change between a block colour – for full closure and privacy – and stripes that gently filter the light from outside giving your child plenty of light to read by.
There is an amazing array of kids cushion designs available on the website including elephants, red-coated soldiers and novelty woodland scenes. By arranging your kids cushions in a fun, relaxing way, you’ll have made the first step towards your little one’s dream reading corner.
The advantages of reading are endless so curating a special reading corner can only be a good thing. With the summer holidays on the horizon, now is the perfect time to make a reading nook for you and your kids!
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