The spotlight is on window reading nooks right now as searches are up a whopping 500% on recent months on Pinterest, alone.
That slow living aesthetic has never been more in demand, and taking yourself off to a cozy window reading nook is the gentle reset we might all need from our homes.
There really is nothing better than curling up with a good book and a view of the surrounding nature and weather outdoors. So, now seems like the perfect time to inspire your own project, keep on reading to see over 20 of the coziest window reading nooks.
21 of The Coziest Window Reading Nooks To Inspire You
1.Make The Most of Under The Stairs Space
If you have dead space under your stairs and a window nearby, congratulations, you’ve probably got one of the most intentional, coziest spaces to build into!
Building some custom bookcases into the entire height is such a great way to do it, adding cornicing and skirting for a beautiful finished look.
Painting it in a different shade to the rest of the room helps to zone the area, and create a really striking and moody corner for relaxing.
2. Sage Green Oasis
Green is one of the easiest colours on the eyes, and it’s one of the best for a reading nook as you can’t help but instantly feel relaxed and grounded in its presence.
A soft sage green is perfect for both dark and light rooms as it’s a fab room pleaser. Recreate the look with a shade such as Farrow and Ball Mizzle.
3. Floor To Ceiling Books
For a book lover, name a better reading setup? Take that shelf storage from floor to ceiling to really maximise the space available to you.
Keeping the wood finish adds some natural warmth to this reading nook and the addition of plants and warm furniture brings a fun, mid century modern vibe to this look.
4. Cozy Place To Sit
Of course, every well executed reading nook needs somewhere super cosy to sit. These alcove style seats are perhaps the most popular design for a window reading nook.
Just ensure that if you’re building it from scratch to create a deep enough seat so it’s comfy enough. Invest in a high quality cushion and add some scatter cushions and throws for further comfort.
5. Combine Pattern
Bring a tactile feel to a reading nook by being brave and introducing pattern with an armchair, cushions, throws or cutrains, and don’t be afraid to mix and match.
Pairing patterns can feel daunting, but you can never go too far wrong by pairing a stripe with a dainty pattern, or by mixing a larger scale pattern with a smaller one. These two ways to approach pattern will make it so much easier when deciding what to buy for your scheme.
6. Layer With Colour & Texture
Another perfect example of how to layer colour and texture for the coziest look. Being a bit daring can pay off in smaller spaces like this as it focuses the eye as you step into the room.
The thread of red, green and blues running throughout in the image below work together so beautifully.
7. Plenty of Cushions
Is there such a thing as too many cushions? I don’t think you can ever have too many for a cosy reading nook as it makes it looks inviting and cozy, and you can move the scatter cushions around when you come to using the seat.
A thick bench cushion will make the world of difference to how comfy and cozy the area feels.
8. A Styled Corner
Instead of a built in window seat that might be costly if you don’t do the DIY yourself, instead pull up your favourite armchair to a window and create a styled corner around it.
Add a little side table for your favourite drink, a floor lamp so you can read into the evening, and add some form of shelving or bookcase below to store your beloved books.
9. Desk, Sitting Corner Combined
Multi purpose spaces are continuing to rise in interiors as we need to use our spaces for more than just one thing. A home office and combined reading nook is excellent use of space, and it gives you that divide into relaxation as well.
They’ve really made the most of the space here, adding L shaped seating and a similar approach with the built in desk which looks like it’s always been here.
10. The Unexpected Red Theory
Yes, the ‘unexpected red theory‘ is still in practice this year, and it’s just as effective. With a place like a reading nook, it’s similar to a small downstairs toilet, dare to go bold and let it pay off!
In an area like this, in the right shades you’ll immediately focus the eye, and a red can help to do just that. Just focus on one or two accent areas to avoid it overpowering the space, a painted book shelf or a red fabric is all you need to execute a stand out design.
11. Soft, Farmhouse Feel
I don’t think traditional farmhouse style will ever go out of fashion, it’s enduringly timeless, soft and super calming.
When building a custom seat by a window, do add storage underneath the bench to make more use out of the area. You could store board games here or even more of your collection of books.
12. Cozy Wrap Around Bookshelf
If your space allows it, rather than positioning books and styling in just one corner, wrap it around both sides like the below image for an even cozier feel.
Add trailing plants for natural warmth and greenery and include your favourite decor pieces for that safe, cozy feel.
13. Porthole Window
If you’re really going back to the design drawing board, something I love is a porthole style window. They bring the unexpected to a space and their soft curves instantly draw the eye in.
The colour scheme in this space below might be my favourite of them all. The dusky pink shade similar to F&B Dead Salmon acts as a neutral without being a neutral, with green and red tones really pulling this look off.
14. Frame The Window
Make even more of a feature out of your window reading nook by adding some gorgeous custom made curtains for the space. What cozier way than this to shut out the outside world and be nestled in the world of your book, with nature on the other side.
Rather than playing it safe, lean into a lovely pattern on the curtains for a playful look.
15. Earthy Inspired Window Reading Nook
Earthy interior design might be one of the most popular interior design styles right now. It’s grounding, cozy and just feels good to be around. It’s also one of the easiest colour schemes to pull together as you can just work with all the colours in nature and know it will look great.
Use green as your main colour, working in browns, reds, greys and natural elements to finish styling your space.
16. Make It An Extended Reading Room
Whilst reading nooks offer the coziest, most bijoux spaces, if you’re thinking of converting an entire room into a home library, go for it!
Extending a reading nook like demonstrated below still keeps the same principles of being near natural light, having your books readily available, but it looks so intentional and is great example of a larger home library.
17. Make The Most of Your Landing Space
Sometimes you can create a reading nook space in the most unexpected spaces, such as on a landing! If you have unused dead space, this might be the way to do it.
A fabulously designed space by Kate Guiness Design, the armchair fabric is byJane Shelton Fabrics and the blind fabric shown here is by Soane Britain.
18. Bring The Outside In
Perhaps what is so endearing about window reading nooks is how you can feel closer to nature in them. With a good view outside, bring the outside in by positining plants in the area, think about placement such as hanging plants, those on shelves and floor standing plants for a lovely balance.
Another way to create that natural feel is to adopt nature inspired colours with your paint, textile and wallpaper choices. If in doubt, go for a green!
19. Boho Inspired
You’ve got to love a bohemian inspired reading nook, it really doesn’t get any cozier than this!
Bold, bright colours set against a neutral backdrop will help you to recreate this look. Introduce plenty of plants throughout, warm artwork and introduce natural elements such as rattan light shades and baskets.
20. Wall Mounted Shelves
Instead of a bookshelf, add wall mounted shelves from the floor up. A beautiful idea to adopt in your own home, weaving in books and plants throughout.
The TBR pile underneath the shelf just feels so intentional of this reading nook!
21. Lean Into The Darkness
If you have a very sunny south facing room to play around with, why not lean into the darkness with a darker shade on the reading nook? It will draw the eye in and create a really atmospheric area to read in.
To balance the darkness, just ensure to add some wall lights or table lamp of some kind to make reading on darker days that little bit easier.
Which of these cozy window reading nooks is your favourite?
