Mini reading nook makeover
the inspiration, the makeover, the vibes.
As the weather cools, I couldn’t resist making a small bookish change in my home. After living in our new house for exactly two years now, I finally found a spot to create the perfect cozy reading nook (on a budget!) where I can enjoy curling up during the autumn and winter months. Aside from the coziness factor, I also wanted a designated space to organize my books—I don’t have a particular organization or shelving system, but I wanted to be able to distinguish between general contemporary/literary fiction, romance, non-fiction, and ARCs. I’m so pleased with how this little nook came together, so let’s dive in to the inspiration, the makeover, and the vibes.
THE INSPIRATION
Doesn’t every reader dream of beautiful built-ins brimming with books? I’ve always loved the feel of being surrounded by physical books in a warm, inviting space to retreat from the world and read. I have a Pinterest board dedicated entirely to home library inspiration, and while it is mostly a creative, aspirational outlet where I can curate my vision for dreamy bookish spaces, I also save images of rooms and nooks with layouts similar to those in my own home. As you can see in the photos below, I’m drawn to smaller nooks, sometimes in a corner near a window, that may not otherwise serve a purpose but become completely transformed with some shelves and a cozy place to sit.
THE MAKEOVER
The space I was working with is a little area that continues off the living room, heading towards the vestibule and front door. At first we kept our piano there, but overall it felt a little cramped; because we need to be able to pull out the piano bench to use it, we couldn’t add a reading chair to the space without blocking it so we knew this wouldn’t work long-term. After coming across a pair of reading chairs in my neighbourhood’s Buy Nothing group in nearly perfect condition, my vision for a reading nook in the piano’s place came to life.
For bookshelves, I chose the classic Ikea Billy model and purchased two of them for this wall. They fill the space almost completely which gives the kind of built-in feel that I love. And because the reading chairs were preloved, I bought new slipcovers in this gorgeous Kilanda light beige. They have this luxurious, linen-like texture but are also soft (and machine washable!)—perfect for sinking into with a big blanket for a long reading session. And as far as shelf decor goes, I’m quite a minimalist. I won’t be adding much else to the shelves, other than a few more plants to the top.
THE VIBES
Overall, I’m thrilled with the cozy, bright, and inviting vibes of this transformation. It feels less cluttered and much more spacious and comfortable. The bookshelves give the otherwise awkward space a sense of structured coziness that helps me organize my reading life and reduce bookish overwhelm. I now have a designated place to store and organize my books (read and unread), sit and read, and more generally relax and unwind from the day. For many of us, reading is an act of self-care, a precious yet vital ritual that helps us disconnect from the typical busy-ness of everyday life, so I’m grateful for this warm little space to do just that.
Wishing you all a cozy weekend ahead, and let me know what you’re reading in the comments!
Happy Thursday,
What a glow up!!! ✨
I love it!!!