Creating a space dedicated to reading doesn’t mean investing a lot of time and money. Sometimes a few well-chosen accessories can do all the magic.
Are you planning to turn an unused part of your home into a reading space? An attic, a space under the stairs, a window area net to the living room, a part of your kids’ room?
Exploring beautiful reading nook designs may be counterproductive. You may end up believing that the reading space of your dreams should take much more space than you have at home or that the renovation will empty your family budget and take too much of your precious time.
Stop here, breathe, and think it over. A reading nook is a space which you find most comfortable to read. Think about items you already have that you are going to move to the new space.
A favorite pillow, a set of scented candles, a cozy blanket you have received last Christmas, or a compact reading lamp that creates unbelievably warm and magical aura. Now all you need is think about items you are still missing.
We believe that one doesn’t have to spend a lot of money to create a cozy reading nook at home. It’s just a matter of adding a few items that define the space as dedicated to books.
In the list below, you will find some ideas that are, in fact, ready-to-get products from around the web. Which ones do you like the most?
Reading nook ideas and accessories – highlights
In the following overview, you will see the best examples of accessories and home decor essentials that you can get to instantly turn even the tiniest space in your home into a space dedicated to reading:
- Pillow with a book pocket
- Cute pillow stand for books and e-readers
- Unique book-inspired scented candle
- Reading lamp, speaker, and alarm clock in one
- Vintage wooden crates that you can use as bookshelves
- Extendable multipurpose bookshelf
- Bookshelf and reading nook for kids
- Bean chair with side pockets
- Literary throw blanket
- Cute letter board
Are you looking for a specific item that isn’t featured in this round-up? We may help you find it. Make sure to reach us on Twitter or Facebook, and we’ll be happy to share ideas.
22 best reading nook ideas and accessories
1. Pillow with a book pocket
You can find hundreds of bookish pillows, and you’ve probably seen the “go away, I’m reading” or “just one more chapter” ones already.
There is a better idea: a pillow cover with a large external pocket that’s perfect to store your Kindle or currently read book.
Surprisingly, not too many such pillows are available online, but the ones we feature above are almost perfect. They are offered in over ten colors variants, and they are 18 × 18 in (45 × 45 cm). These pillow covers come in sets of two.
2. Personalized pocket cushion for kids
If you plan to create a reading nook for your children, there is an even better idea: a cute pillow cushion that can be personalized. Oh, and it includes a large external pocket, too!
All you have to do is write the name of your child and select the style of letters. You can also decide whether you want the pillow with or without feather insert.
In the Milly & Pip shop on Etsy, you can find pocket pillows for both girls and boys.
3. Cute book sleeve
You may already have a few spare pillows you can use to set up a cozy reading nook. Getting another one doesn’t make too much sense.
What about giving a bit of comfort to your books? A book sleeve will not only accommodate and protect a paperback but also an e-reader or tablet.
And these designs from 3 Ragazzi are the cutest you can find on the web! They are available in three sizes and are padded to protect your books from sudden drops.
4. Flexible pillow stand
Speaking of comfort: wouldn’t you like for your reading nook an accessory that would place your Kindle or hardcover exactly at the right angle, no matter which position you actually have?
Take a look at this pillow stand from iBeani. Opposite to other tablet pillow stands, this one is flexible and ultra-cozy to help you read hands-free for long hours. It’s like a beanbag among tablet stands.
iBeani features also a smartphone-size pocket on the right side, and is available in 16 color variants that meet different needs and tastes.
5. Unique book-inspired scented candle
Getting a book-inspired candle is among most obvious ideas for a reading nook, but we couldn’t help sharing this new scent from Fictional Boutique: Reading in a Park.
The candle offers a combination of Indian summer, green apple and flower bouquet. It comes in a glass jar, and on the top you will see super-cute decoration. Plus, you will also receive with your candle a free laminated bookmark.
Best of all, in Fictional Boutique shop on Etsy, you will find over 70 other book-inspired candles, naming only Currently Reading, Book Boyfriend, or Crazy Book Lady.
6. Little LED book light
To create intimate mood for reading, you don’t always need a candle. Sometimes a small reading light is all you may want. And sometimes the smaller the better.
The reading light from Outus is ingeniously simple. This LED lamp is integrated into a flexible transparent strip of plastic. You can shape it to form a small attachable reading light or you can use it as a convenient bookmark.
The Outus reading light comes in a pack of three, plus accompanying button cells.
7. 5-in-1 reading lamp
Do you want a more advanced lamp than the one mentioned above? What about a device that combines five benefits, not just two?
The touch-activated LED lamp with 48 combinations of brightness and color. Digital alarm clock. Calendar. Flash drive. And, most importantly, a Bluetooth speaker with long battery life.
This reading lamp looks like a perfect accessory for someone who both loves reading books and listening to audiobooks.
8. Moon lamp
Are you looking for a lamp that is a source of magic rather than light?
Take a closer look at the Moon Lamp from Brightworld. Its design is based on photos captured by NASA to create a feeling you are in another space and time.
The lamp is rechargeable (8 hours of continuous work), and it means there are no cords. You can place it anywhere: on a sofa, floor, or next to your sleeping cat.
The lamp comes with a special holder that looks like a holding hand.
9. Floor lamp with bookshelf and USB ports
With limited space, the whole idea for a reading nook is about finding accessories that combine as many benefits as possible.
This floor lamp from Brightech combines a three-level bookshelf with 2-port charging unit and a lamp that’s compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit.
The lamp is 63-inch tall (160 cm) and comes in three colors to fit every home style: Black, Havana Brown, and Orchid White.
10. Vintage wooden crates as bookshelves
A full-size bookcase is perfect for a home library, but for an informal reading nook in a less defined space, you may need more flexible and creative ideas.
Think about using wooden crates as bookshelves. You can always use them as storage boxes anytime, or turn one of them into a handy coffee table.
MyGift offers a set of vintage wooden storage crates that can be nested into each other to save space. There are cutout handles on the sides to easy transportation. You can pick up either Torched Wood or Rustic Graywashed variant.
11. Retractable bookends
If you need a smaller but still flexible solution to keep in place all the books you currently read, think about retractable bookends.
They are simple, functional, and suitable for even heavier books, when standard two-piece bookends fall apart.
Adjustable bookends from Jiari come in four colors: White, Blue, Gray, and Brown. You can extend them to 16.9 in (43 cm).
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12. Extendable bookshelf and organizer
Is the idea of a flexible storage tool convincing? If you need something more advanced, something that will organize not only the books, you have to check out this bamboo desk organizer.
It’s called a “desk” organizer, but you can place it anywhere, be it on a floor next to a beanbag being the center of your reading nook.
This little piece of furniture features two drawers, and a bookshelf that can be adjusted in width between 14 and 27 inches.
13. Side table with storage basket
Bookshelves and bookends are all fine, but where can I put a cup of coffee?
For those who are looking for a bit of table space, we’ve got an idea: get a side table that doubles as a bookshelf.
And the table designed by Nathan James is both functional and stylish. On the top, there is a tray table. Underneath, you will find a removable storage basket with rope handles.
“Unique modern classic design and neutral tone complement any shade of sofa or furniture.”
14. Triangular book holder & bookmark
The triangular wooden stand is an ingenious invention. It works as a desktop bookmark, following the shape of the opened book. Plus, you can place your reading glasses on a small shelf underneath.
There are still few available designs, but we have found a great one on Etsy. Called “Nookmark,” the holder is hand-crafted from bamboo and has a clear coat of veneer to give it a smooth feel and a nice finishing look.
15. Bookshelf seat for kids
Are you looking for a single piece of furniture that could be a center of a reading nook in your kid’s room?
This combination of a bookcase and reading seat is a perfect tool for teaching children the value of organization, with books being most important of objects to handle.
The 6-cubby storage organizer is made of kid-proof polybutylene composition and is available in two colors, either light brown or white.
16. Indoor teepee playhouse
A reading nook set up in the open space is somehow against the idea of a place where one can escape to be able to focus on reading.
If you want your kids to read a lot, help them with a simple but fully customizable teepee playhouse.
“With curtains, front flaps could be closed completely, offering kids personal space for little secrets and encouraging them to become independent and show respect for others.”
17. Canopy and mosquito net
An indoor canopy is actually a great idea if you don’t want to use “go away, I’m reading” argument too often. You can use a standard bed canopy to serve as walls of a reading nook.
The canopy offered by Dix Rainbow is not only a great piece of home decoration that forms a large round dome. It also serves as a mosquito net. There are two colors to choose from. The height is up to 94 in (around 240 cm).
18. Colorful and cozy beanbag
For many avid readers, their reading nook is when their beanbag is. The beanbag is indeed the simplest idea to organize a space in such a way that it makes you feel cozy and relaxed.
There are many beanbags on the web, but we’ve found the one that’s available in several wonderful colors and designs.
19. Bean chair with pockets
What would you say about the bean bag that’s formed like a chair and comes with side pockets to keep the books always in place?
The book chair from Big Joe is tough, stain- and water-resistant, and is filled with UltimaX Beans that conform to you, not the other way round.
You can choose from four colors: Stretch Limo Black, Flaming Red, Sapphire Blue, and Zebra.
20. Literary throw blanket
Cozy means warm, and if you want to make sure you will be warm during long winter evenings, bring a blanket to your reading spot – or get the one that gives value and meaning.
Out of several throw blankets on Redbubble, we have chosen the design that features autographs of famous authors, including William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, or Mary Shelley.
The blanket is available in three sizes and is made of 100% polyester fleece with fluffy feel.
21. Book tissue holder
This is a must-have accessory for a reading nook of a romance book lover: a wooden holder offered by Tosnail that will perfectly accommodate a box of tissues.
The top of the box opens easily for convenient replacing of a tissue box. Most importantly, the box is hand-crafted and hand-painted to resemble a stack of antique books.
22. Felt letter board – make you own statement
Originally, we were going to recommend you a few book-themed posters, but we would almost 100% miss your expectations.
Why don’t you make your own statement for a reading nook – and change it any time you need? Letter boards are best suited for this purpose: they are compact and cozy, especially the ones that are made of felt.
This particular design is offered by Otitano and comes in four color variants. There are letters in two colors, with over 600 letters and signs in the set!
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Where to buy literary gifts and accessories
Have you found on the list above the item you would love to get? If not, make sure to explore these sites for more recommendations.
Amazon Handmade – when you search the entire Amazon store, you may easily get disappointed with too many items that look cheap and unattractive. However, in Amazon’s sub store called “Handmade,” you can find goods that are beautifully hand-crafted to order and can be personalized.
Not on the High Street – the site is a default online destination for gift-seeking users from the UK. If you want to find inspiration for homemade gift ideas, this is the store you should check out.
Zazzle – it’s one of the largest online destinations for gifts and accessories of all kinds. You can pick up an artwork and choose the item you want it on. Do you prefer to use your own photo or customize the design? It can be done!
Redbubble – a marketplace for custom designed items, including prints, stationery, cases and covers, or t-shirts. Opposite to other sites, such as CafePress, the quality of artwork is much higher.
Etsy – visit Etsy, and you’ll immediately realize it’s loaded with gorgeous items any book lover would love to own. As all items are made to order, there are several ways to add a personal message.
Looking for gift ideas? Make sure to check out other popular roundups:
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