Now that we’re all spending more time at home, finding educational activities that will help our children grow (while having fun) is key for nurturing their development. Distinguishing a small place in the home, like a book nook, will give them space and autonomy to dive into their reading and foster curiosity.
A book nook can be any place in your home where kids feel inspired to sit down and read their favourite books. They are typically filled with cozy decorations like plush pillows and whimsical art. Still, the trick to creating a truly kid-friendly space is to incorporate elements that make them feel happy.
Whether you’re considering these types of spaces when buying a home or looking to add them as a renovation project, we’ve created a guide on how to build a kid-friendly book nook and sourced reading nook ideas to try on your own!
Benefits of Creating a Reading Nook
There are many benefits of creating a kid-friendly reading nook for both parents and kiddos! Parents can benefit from knowing their child is safely entertained and use the activity as a reminder to slow down and find time for their self-care. Plus, it can serve as a time for parents to catch up on work or other tasks they need to accomplish.
Children will feel empowered to be both creative and comfortable and will love the space they can call their own. Reading stories can help develop a child’s brain, hone their ability to focus, and cultivate communication skills. Reading together can also help you build your relationship with your child as you unpack events that happen in books. Not all stories have happy endings, so using the opportunity to work through emotions and conflict can improve their understanding of real-world events.
How to Create a Book Nook
Source: Iekel Road Home | Lolly Jane | Pretty Little Row House | Viv and Tim Home
Every child needs their own space to grow and play, so we’ll show you how to take any room or available area in your home and turn it into a reading nook.
Find the Right Spot
The first step in creating the perfect book nook is finding the right spot in a child’s room or around your home. This might seem easy, but in a small child’s room or if you live in a smaller home, it can become much more difficult than you think.
Kids don’t need too much space, and actually, one small corner will do! Just make sure it’s safe and that there are no sharp or dangerous objects that could hurt them. Find a cozy spot near a window so kids can spend most of their time reading during the day. The folks at Kids Interiors recommend using a chest that serves as toy or book storage and simply placing a mattress on top. This will create a cozy seating area that’s easy to make yourself. Keeping the space kid-sized will allow you to repurpose any nook or cranny in their room to create a playful reading bench.
What to do if you don’t have space to spare? Get creative! Opt for space under the stairs, a corner of a room or a pass-through area like a wide hall or landing.
Keep It Creative
Since your children will be primarily enjoying this space, make it as creative as they are! Laura Umansky, of Laura U Interior Design, recommends using oranges mixed with blues, pinks, and purples in a kid’s playroom. These hues help boost their imagination and stimulate their creative thinking abilities and promote openness and focus.
To promote literacy and incorporate all the colours of the rainbow, we created this decorative printable you can frame for the space. As they enter the book nook, they will be greeted with a sweet saying from a notable author.
Keep It Kid-Centred
The next step is picking colours, themes and decorations to fill the space. It’s important that the environment is kid-centred and allows them the freedom to explore, experiment and imitate the world around them.
The team at Petit & Small recommend creating an area that feels as if it exclusively belongs to the child. This helps develop their personality and builds self-confidence and independence. By adding elements to the book nook that are familiar and give your child a sense of belonging, you empower them to develop their personality and build self-confidence. Picking their favourite themes like exploration, whimsy, or fantasy can help guide decorations to add.
Keep It Functional
No one wants a space to slowly consume the entire house. Use available wall space to combine function with decoration! Add floating shelves or a cart to hold books and keep reading materials at an arm’s reach. If your little one doesn’t require much space, consider hanging a canopy or adding bean bags that can easily be tucked into a corner. If you’re repurposing a closet as a reading nook, tuck bins and books into the upper shelf, and add a big floor pillow below. Grace Beuley Hunt of PureWow recommends this and other easy and functional reading nook ideas for a simple DIY project.
Keep It Sentimental
A great way to make your child’s book nook feel like theirs is to let them decorate it! Encourage them to create works of art that can be framed and hung on surrounding walls. Displaying your children’s artwork around the home and in their space helps them see their creativity in a new light. According to the International Child Art Foundation, research indicates that a child exposed to the arts acquires a unique ability to think creatively, be original, discover, innovate, and create intellectual property — all of which are vital attributes for individual success in today’s age.
Encourage your child to create their own work of art by colouring the below printable sheet. Frame their craft and put it on display to personalize their space. When they enter their book nook, they will feel proud that they’ve created something that you feel is beautiful and worthy of displaying.
Keep It Comfy and Cozy
A comfy atmosphere is one of the most inviting parts of a reading nook. Create a warm and inviting hygge atmosphere by decorating your children’s reading nook with fluffy pillows and soft blankets. Hygge is a Danish way of life that means “a quality of coziness that engenders a feeling of contentment or well being.” Experiencing hygge reportedly reduces stress and improves emotional well-being, so add elements of hygge to your child’s reading nook to improve their cognitive, emotional and physical experience.
6 Kid-Friendly Reading Nook Ideas
Now that we’ve covered the basic steps to creating a kid-friendly reading nook in your home, we can discuss the elements that will ensure your space is safe and fun!
Use Natural Light
Sufficient light is important for creating the perfect book nook. Studies show that appropriate light has a significant positive impact on our mental and physical health, so by incorporating natural light, you can prevent eye strain and make sure your little ones are reading happily. When the sun goes down, be sure to add a standing or table lamp for night readers.
Hang Up Twinkly Lights and Colourful Curtains
Make the space as whimsical as possible by hanging up twinkling lights and colourful curtains. These simple decorations are easy to add and can serve as soft and fun dividers to signal that this is a safe and cozy space for your children to read.
Decorate With Books
Display books with their covers facing out. This trick will increase the chance of a child passing by to stop and sit for a spell (just like at a bookstore) while adding pretty pops of colour to the room.
Make Room for Tech
Not all children prefer reading paperback books. Create a book nook that is suitable for print and e-readers so that children will have space to store their tablets and tech devices. Include a charging station so children can “park” their devices before bed.
Add Cute and Cozy Pillows
Having a comfortable space to read will encourage your children to stay longer. Incorporate decorative pillows, fluffy rugs and soft blankets to style up the space. If you want to keep the area tidy, add a basket for easy storage.
Opt For Wooden and Round Furniture
Round furniture is best suited for a reading nook as it will typically take up less space than other shapes. Also, round and wooden furniture has no sharp edges, making it safer for children and harder to break or tarnish.
Books and Activities for a Book Nook
Now that we’ve provided inspiration for creating and decorating your book nook, fill the space with books and activities that your children will love. For literary inspiration, we’ve sourced the following book lists and challenges for you to explore.
Reading Lists
- Welcome To Story Hour: 100 Favourite Books For Young Readers
- 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They’re 12
- List of Children’s Book Types
- Book Lists by Age
Reading Challenges
- 2021 Reading Challenge for Kids
- Scholastic Canada Summer Camp
- Modern Mrs. Darcy 2021 Reading Challenge
Financial Literacy
- 10 Best Books to Teach Financial Literacy to Kids and Teens
- Children’s Books to Teach Financial Literacy
- Financial Literacy for Kids
We hope that our reading nook ideas provide you with inspiration to create your own book nook for your child to enjoy. If you don’t currently have the space, explore houses for sale in Vancouver or Edmonton today!
