The perfect reading spot is not easy to find. Comfortable reading chairs and lounges can do the job – but the avid reader knows they need a proper setting. These 50 nooks and crannies consider the wants of the lover of a good read. Whether you’d like to hole up in a library wall, lounge against a sunny window ledge, hang in a hammock or outdoor bed, or find a unique reading space all of your own, we’ve got a spot inducing page-turning in mind. Take a gander at our selection to see which style of reading – and reading position – works best for you.
- 1 |
- Architect: Safdie Rabines
This simple white wooden ledge lets your legs stretch out to full capacity. Framed by two bookshelves, it offers a handy place to grab your next read. Colour and pattern ramps up a notch with this green and gold design. A large window lets in light to a sunny seated area and retro Turkish rug. - 3 |
- Architect: Phil Abram
- Source: Homes To Love
Increase your indoor-outdoor flow with a window seat in the open air. Extending onto a patio, a row of planted ferns link beautifully to the creeping vines in the opposite window. The minimalist would love this reading nook design. A simple white squab with geometric white window adds all the lighter elements for a peaceful read. - 5 |
- Source: Brooke Boling
Curl up with a book with this functional cranny. Tucked beside a portrait-shape window, French drawers underneath provide a place for necessities. - 6 |
- Visualizer: P&M Studio
Make the most of a corridor library with a printed squab and cushions at the end. A floral print sits next to a wooden ledge, giving off a tropical look. - 7 |
- Architect: Bull O’Sullivan
Look up at the forest with this wooden-slatted design above your book. A velvet, olive green triangle extends the forest. - 8 |
- Visualizer: Press Render
A walled library with an opposing glass panel needs a stunning chair to make the space. This textured suede find with matching ottoman does the trick. - 9 |
- Architect: Rado Iliev
- Photographer: Assen Emilov
Coat your lounge corner in glass windows and a soft stone chair, for a gorgeous seat suitable for turning pages. - 10 |
- Designer: Galeazzo Design
Hide away in your own world with a wicker cane teardrop in your room. A little white inlet hides a blanket, a book, and you. - 11 |
- Architect: ArqDonini
Find an innovative way to read your favourites in a white plaster tunnel. Mid-century dark wooden bannisters and a stone carpet floor frame the look. - 12 |
- Designer: Bernardo Rodrigues
- Photographer: Iwan Baan
A spot next to a window is made grand by a wooden scoop seat. This reading nook acts as a functional window and design feature. Cover our favourite Rattan Papasan chair in fur and cushions for an elegant, and well-travelled, look beside a book. - 14 |
- Via: Apartment Therapy
Invite the tropics beside your bookcase with this woven cane chair and rustic-looking ottoman. A fur rug, cushion and draping fern complement it nicely. A relaxing look in segmented leather and wood, this Eames-Style Lounge Chair and matching ottoman work a treat in an all-wooden library. - 16 |
- Visualizer: Irinel-Ramona Florescu
- Buy It: $2,873
Olive green and light wood are a perfect reading match in this Husk Chair Replica. A matching standing ottoman provides a place for the feet. - 17 |
- Visualizer: Lev Kononov
A luxurious, multi-panelled bookcase extends to the ceiling in this high-paned library design. A golden-hued chair is a perfect, minimalist fit. - 18 |
- Designer: Egue & Seta
Hang a white mesh hammock off the side of your bookcase, for a secluded and interesting reading experience. - 19 |
- Designer: Whitney Parris-Lamb
This innovative library hides in a mini loft. A futon bed acts as a soft reading space, plopped afront a short bookcase wall. - 20 |
- Visualizer: Luke Clynes
Complement an art deco feel with this leaning find in leather and wood. Set on simple furnishings, it provides a statement within a comfy place to read. - 21 |
- Designer: Famurat Builders
Want a place to read and hide away? This sliding compartment blocks off your secret reading space from view. Under the stairs is a perfect place to read. This nifty nook clads it in wood, teal and under-seat shelving. - 23 |
- Designer: Van Staeyen
Make an artwork of your reading space with a die-cut hole in the wall. Your favourite books can stay in its walls, with a few in-built shelves. Make your reading nook the feature of your bookcase with this simple white and wood enclave design. - 25 |
- Designer: Alia Bengana
- Via: Desire To Inspire
Can’t choose between a bed, couch or seat? This chocolate dream offers all three, as it nestles into the corner of two book-lined walls. Build an igloo inside your house with this minimalist reading dome. An array of cushions and pockets of light add interest to a cranny you could read in for hours. - 27 |
- Photographer: David Hotsun
- Source: Dwell
Use a sloped space to full effect, by placing a reading nook inside. This white-bedded space opens itself up to the world with a skylight window. - 28 |
- Designer: Woods Bagot
Invite other readers into your space, with a large green square standing out from the library. Surrounding shelves offer plenty of books for discussion and sharing. - 29 |
- Source: Bookworm Bookshelf
An artpiece, book shelf and comfy seat in one, this unique structure can sit wherever you desire to read. - 30 |
- Source: Millhaven Homes
Accentuate a long room with an inviting book nook placed at the end. Two windows, rows of accessories and multi-coloured cushions create your happy place. Create a playhouse and reading space in one with this cute nook for the kids. A light-wooden ladder and flower pot act as a welcome greeting. Complement your modern, Scandinavian-look __home with a Grant Featherston-Style Contour Wing Chair. Grey cotton with orange buttons hark over to a standing orange lamp. - 33 |
- Visualizer: Hasan Rezakhani
Take the high road with this high-winged chair, a subtle place for relaxation in muted grey. Its rolling balls move the seat into your perfect reading location. A quilted square chair beckons the next reading session, afront a patchwork wall and under a grasshopper lamp. - 35 |
- Designer: Drill Björk and Birgir
- Source: Bolig Magasinet
Extend your legs upon the perfect middle ground between sitting and lying down. This leather and steel chaise finds a sunny spot beside the bookcase. - 36 |
- Architect: Szymon Migaj
- Designer: Szymon Migaj
A wicker cane weave is comfy, stylish and practical. Working well with wooden bookcases, it offers a comfy angle for an in-depth reading session. - 37 |
- Visualizer: Stadshem
White leather on wooden legs creates a circular design, perfect for curling up with a book. Throw a fluffy blanket over the top for a touch of everyday glamour. - 38 |
- Visualizer: TOTL Studio
Able to adapt to many interiors, this mustard wingback chair makes a seated stand beside an elongated marble fireplace. A zigzagging wooden floor adds detail. Break the traditional reading nook brief with these hanging hammocks, a splendid idea for a shared space. Hung by chains from the ceiling, they can adjust to your desired height. - 40 |
- Designer: Timothy Corrigan
A Victorian feel beside the fireplace is inspired by this warm and cozy setting. A red cotton chair extends out the legs, while an extra read sits only an arms-length away. - 41 |
- Source: Gallow Green Lodge
Sleep among the books with this unique bed between the shelves. Elevated in a mini loft-style, the ceiling forms a traditional shape above the straight and winding bookshelves. - 42 |
- Visualizer: Homestyler.vn
Set your favourite spot outdoors with a light cane chair and matching reading table. Potted ferns and hanging plants coalesce in a space drenched with light and greenery. Bring the outside inside with a chocolate brown chair among potted ferns. A token lambskin rug paves the way to and from the bookshelf. - 44 |
- Designer: Secret Gardens
Have a pool? Create a spot to dry off and read, with an inbuilt seating arrangement to the side. A white stencil table offers a handy place to leave your book for the next dip. - 45 |
- Designer: Rees Roberts + Partners
Doze off in the garden after a good reading session, as green walls surround your every gaze. This matching green chaise makes an L-shape beside a table and chair setting. - 46 |
- Designer: Rees Roberts + Partners
The minimalist garden would benefit from this simple white square and chair, backed by a full row of bamboo. Build a secret place in the garden with this elongated wooden chaise. Plants hang over the top, bringing your reading session a few steps closer to nature. - 48 |
- Designer: James Durie
Read on, over and beside a pond with this hammock hanging from varnished posts. Lilypads dot around, and moss creates a soft bed under, a bamboo square with food table beside. - 49 |
- Source: Kodama Zomes
Live like a caterpillar inside a hanging mosaic structure. Keep out the bugs with a pretty mesh overlay, or let the sun speckle your skin through its many geometric openings. Create a reading event wherever you are with this portable PVD dome. With plants inside and outside, it’s a modern alternative to a conservatory, gazebo, greenhouse or hot tub cover.