The Space You're Overlooking That's Perfect For A Reading Nook

As if losing yourself in a page-turner wasn't dreamy enough, doing this in a cozy reading nook at home takes the enjoyment factor off the charts. In case you've lamented a lack of obvious spots to create a reading haven, it's time to get resourceful. Entryways are typically utilitarian, and if we're lucky, they might serve as a welcoming landing spot for guests. The good news? You could very well morph a corner of this underused area into a reading nook.

An ideal den for curling up is under the stairs, but not everyone has that feature in their home. Is there a spot you've filled with an underwhelming piece of furniture that's only there to occupy a blank wall? Swap it for a chair, an ottoman, a bright lamp, and a side table to set your novel and a steaming cup.

Another way to revamp your entryway into a sanctuary is with a cushioned bench. There's nothing revolutionary about this spot, normally relegated to storing stuff along a hallway. But, it doesn't have to be just for tying shoes and dropping mail. If you live in a zone that doesn't require lots of cold weather gear, your partially empty coat closet might be begging to become a tranquil escape. Even a behind-the-front-door corner that's big enough for a seat is a candidate.

Large, active families' entryways are often brimming with necessities, leaving little surplus space. This doesn't have to stop you from carving out a corner here for a literary getaway, though. There are scores of DIY storage bench ideas that you can build right now; add an upholstered cushioned top and a few inviting pillows, and you have both a place to enjoy a book and to house must-haves. A surface atop a gridwork of cubbies is endlessly useful, while a bench with a hinged top can hide away items that don't get daily use.

For a closet-turned-reading nook that still provides storage, fit it with a bench for sitting, and rig up some hooks and high shelves to hold not only escapist essentials but also everyday sundries (like leashes and bags). Does that console table sitting against your entryway wall really come in handy? If it's only a space-filler, remove the pointless piece and replace it with reading-nook goodies.

For intrepid fans of whimsy, equip a vaulted entry space with an elevated perch for reading. Building a solid structure with railings and relatively safe access might be out of reach for many of us, but a heavy-duty net suspended over the door could be more feasible. Climb to it from a ladder, and lose yourself in your current read.