Reading Nook For The Soul, Or How I Created My Own ‘Portal’

Home renovations are scary to me. Let me be honest, they are terrifying. And not because they are expensive, as I can do a lot of stuff myself. That always helps cut the costs in half. But because I never know what I want. In my heart of hearts, I want a magic wand. Seriously. But as I’m not getting one, I want to tell you a story of how I got my perfect reading nook (agh, hate the word ‘perfect’). Later on, when it’s Pinterest-ready, I’ll share a Clideo edited video as well, but it’s too early for that. 

For now, I want to share a few furniture and paint tips that might help you organize a reading nook at your place as well. 

Chair! The Center And The Soul Of Nook-Building

Where do you start the whole thing? Locate a nook. None found? Create one. I had space under the stairs, sort of like a Harry Potter cupboard-under-the-stairs situation. Sooo, I destroyed the door, opened up the space, as I have enough pantries in the house (not to brag). 

Then, on stage two, I stripped the walls of old paint and wallpaper in some places to prep the walls, fix the cracks and polish the floor. 

Once the space was ready, I had to make the most important decision of the space. Choosing a chair. I don’t have back problems yet, but I want to use the space for at least a decade (no pressure). Few things I learned in the process of choosing the wrong one. Twice. Please don’t judge me. 

1. Choose the one you’ll forget about.
   Surprising but true. The right reading chair should disappear once you sit down. Not in the magic sense, but if you’re constantly shifting to adjust your posture in futile attempts to forget how old you are, you have the wrong one. You shouldn’t notice pressure points, either. Look for one that supports your back naturally and allows your shoulders to relax. A good test for ya! Sit for ten minutes without thinking about the chair at all. Successful? It’s probably a good candidate.
   
2. Posture without stiffness. 

You cannot discipline yourself in a reading nook. You must have comfort, and you must have snacks, and somewhere to lose your woes for heaven sake! You should not anticipate the chair to support you in the rigid position. Back pain prevention and 3-hour lumbar support. That’s the only goal.

3. Arm height! 

Didn’t expect to kick myself in the shins with this one, but on the first try, I chose a chair that had armrests somewhere in Alaska, they were so high. Don’t be fooled by the cute design. The armrests should be on an optimal level for your height, so your arms can…you know… REST on them. I’m short, so that’s always a problem for me.

4. Choose the materials wisely
   The fabric or upholstery should be pleasant against bare skin and breathable enough for long use. You read in summer, don’t you? Leather can feel luxurious but may become cold or sticky depending on the season. I do sweat a lot, so believe you me. Not the best choice. Soft woven fabrics or textured upholstery tend to be more cozy. Think about how the chair feels after an hour, not how it looks in the first five minutes.
   
5. Chair must pair with the nook, not the room

A reading nook chair doesn’t have to match the rest of your furniture perfectly. It needs to match the emotional tone you want in that corner. Cozy, grounded, airy, or cocoon-like. Choose a chair that reinforces that feeling. If the chair invites you to sit down instinctively, it’s doing its job. Take Clideo for iOs, make a video, and watch it over. You’ll thank me. All the minor glitches will be more visible on the video.  

Create With Love

Chair done? Congrats, dudes and dudettes! This was the most stressful part. Now moving on. As the chair is ready… Let’s decorate. To start with, attempt to choose a wallpaper instead of a paint. I know painting SEEMS easier. But that’s another illusion. Wallpaper is able to bring an instantly cosy touch in a manner that no quantity of paint, can. Besides, Do you feel competent about your skills to hold the color smooth? What I mean is I don’t, and I have obnoxious confidence.

Lighting Is Key 

When you have the wallpaper to the ready we may consider the light. It is the necessary element in what you are attempting to do (without destroying your eyes). I understand, you have a reading-light but you need a bigger one. Everything is a matter of your environment. Are there any electric sockets? Is there wiring that you have to install to have a ceiling light? Make the arrangement that you will be comfortable with. My own personal choice is glass or fabric lampshades.  They give the space the shimmer I love so much.  

Read, read, READ!!

A bookcase. Here we are. Arriving at the best part. Bookcases are best when they are intended, YOURS, I should say. Begin by determining its space role. The bookcase is no display wall in a reading cove. Set the books you read in reach on the shelf and the other ones you do not read as often move higher or lower. The combination of vertical and horizontal stacks allow the shelf to be not stiff and to provide natural rest positions to small objects such as a candle, a photo framed, or a plant.

Do not be tempted to pack in each shelf, sweetie! I’ve been there! Empty space matters. It provides the eye with a place to rest and creates the sense of naturalness in the collection. And not by color, please, do organize. It’s a bit obsessive.

A rug, were you to have one, will be very pretty in the nook. Ideally, the front leg of the chair rests on the rug and this gives the impression of being contained. Select the texture which will be comfortable to walk on with bare feet and to make the space a bit quieter and more personal. The rug does not require an aggressive design. The fine details or soft textures are the most effective, as they do not distract the attention of the books and reading.