Is your little one an avid or reluctant reader? One way to nurture your youngster's love of reading, or get them hooked on the pastime, is to create a cosy and enticing reading spot that appeals to their imagination and gets them excited about the activity, so they don't view it as a chore. If you're toying with the idea of setting up a reading nook in your budding bookworm's bedroom or another area of your home, August – which marks the start of Children's Book Week in Australia – is the perfect day to kickstart the project. Be inspired by the fun, fabulous and oh-so comfy book nook ideas below, which are bound to get your kids amped up for story time and (hopefully) see them become book lovers for life.
1. Happy place
Fun and funky decor? Check. Snuggle-worthy seating? Check. Good lighting, plenty of books and a playful vibe? Check, check and check. I bet most youngsters would happily spend hours getting lost in books about very hungry caterpillars, green eggs and ham, or pint-sized wizards in this enticing play and reading zone.
2. Suspended reality
I think it's safe to say that an ultra-cool floating book nook like the one in this Melbourne home would be a hit with readers of all ages, from mini to more mature bookworms. If you don't have the budget or ceiling height to work a suspended hangout zone into your home, a hammock is a more affordable and achievable option. Hang the hammock indoors from a ceiling beam, or string up your swinging seat between two leafy trees to create a relaxing reading retreat outside.
3. Storybook setting
Isn't this whimsical woodland-themed reading nook absolutely darling? Dreamed up by an interior designer for her three children, the enchanting set-up boasts all the important book nook ingredients: sink-in seating in the form of inflatable log stools and toadstool benches; good lighting to prevent little eyes from squinting; and shelves to stash books. The imaginative reading alcove provides the perfect spot for youngsters to curl up and lose themselves in classic reads like The Magic Faraway Tree, Alice in Wonderland andSnugglepot and Cuddlepie.
4. Novel idea
Click here to view the Nania cupboard - In the back of the old closet... is a secret room just made for childrens story time. by Steven Dona Architecture
Draw inspiration from classic kids' books or your little miss or mister's favourite reads. My favourite book-themed reading zone on Houzz is without a doubt this enchanting Narnia-themed secret den, which is – you guessed it – hidden behind a beautiful, oversized armoire.
If you don't have a spare room that you can transform into a magical hideaway inspired by the classic kids' fantasy novel, convert an unused closet into a secluded reading sanctuary instead. Furnish it with floor cushions or a built-in cushioned bench, good lighting and a snuggle-worthy throw and – voila! – your book nook is complete!
5. Teepee time
If you're living in a rental property or don't want to commit to a built-in book nook, getting your DIY on and making a teepee (or buying one if you're not handy with a sewing machine) is a great alternative. The portable tents make the perfect reading nooks as they're cosy, playful and will make story time feel like an adventure, so even the most reluctant of pint-sized readers are sure to fight for a spot inside.
When setting up your teepee, position it over a super-soft rug (sheepskin or a shag rug are ideal options) and fill it with plush cushions and throws so your little one can read away in cosy comfort. You might like to wind fairy lights around the tops of the wooden rods to illuminate and add a magical vibe to the enchanting reading zone.
6. Hangout zone
Click here to view a hangout in a reading egg swing by Holly Marder
Install a hanging chair in your little one's book nook and you can guarantee that they'll swing by a few times a day to sneak in a reading session. If you have more than one child, outfit the area with extra seating so your youngsters have somewhere to perch and flip through a book while they (not-so) patiently await their turn. A built-in bench like the one in this cosy corner is a great option as it delivers additional seating, as well as extra storage for your children's growing book collection.
7. Nice niche
Now, here's a book nook that takes things to the next level. Rather than positioning your child's dedicated reading area on floor level, take design cues from this cool kids' zone and carve out a reading loft instead. Your budding bookworm is sure to get a kick out of the elevated hideout, not only because it affords them privacy but because they'll feel like the king or queen of their castle, too.
If I were to make one small tweak to this book nook though, it would be to add recessed shelving to the alcove. This would save youngsters from climbing up and down the ladder every time they finish a book to fetch a new one.
If you have smaller kids and aren't too keen on creating a book nook that's sky high, take things down a notch and opt for a built-in alcove that's sits at a more child-friendly height. Stick with a run-of-the-mill boxy or rectangular recess, or have a bit of fun and carve out a circular nook instead. Here, lively red suede-like fabric highlights the quirky shape of the niche, while the scalloped padding dials up the comfort and playful vibe of the space.
8. Adventure land
This outdoorsy-themed bunk and book nook is sure to delight any pint-sized explorer who loves to read. String lights and a heavy-duty torch add to the area's campsite-like vibe, while a cushy pillow provides a spot for youngsters to rest their head or prop up a book as they read. If you're keen to create a similar set-up at home for your mini bookworm, fill their library with tales that match the theme. I'm thinking Curious George Goes Camping, A Week in the Woods or Where the Wild Things Are.
9. Grey matter
Click here to view Simple style and colour scheme by Learn'ique: Design-to-Learn
While many parents would skip straight over grey when choosing a colour scheme for their little one's reading zone, the moody hue is actually an ideal choice as it's calming and creates a cosy, cocoon-like atmosphere. The neutral colour not only sets the scene for a relaxing and leisurely reading session but will also help youngsters concentrate during story time, unlike livelier tones which may prove too stimulating and distracting. Add flashes of cheerful colour to pep up the space – brightly toned book spines, toys and letter magnets do the job nicely here.
10. Treetop hideaway
This peaceful pocket is nestled in the gabled roof of a tree house, which ramps up its fun factor and overall appeal. While this intimate niche can only accommodate one youngster, there's another book nook located in a recess along the adjacent wall, which is sure to prevent squabbles among siblings come story time.
TELL US
Have you created a novel book nook for your budding reader? We'd love to hear about it, so share your design secrets (and photos of the space!) in the Comments.
By Natasha Saroca
More:
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Work with an interior designer to get the most out of your home project
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