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Designers and interiors lovers have long had a complicated relationship with TVs, often preferring to hide them or even skip them entirely. And now that low-tech approach is hitting an all-time high in popularity if Internet interest is any indication. According to the experts at Level Frames, Google searches for reading rooms—cozy, lounge-ready spaces with plenty of book storage and zero screen distraction—have soared to over 105% since 2021. Power down your devices and get ready to gather inspiration for carving out a quiet little nook of your own.
Leave No Surface Unpainted
Let’s start with a true example of floorplan monogamy: A full-on commitment to the reading room. Take your notes from designer Zoë Feldman, who opted for a custom, built-in sofa that not only maximizes space, but also feels appropriately hugged by the nearby bookcases. Really bring home the cozy vibes with a ceiling-to-baseboard color drench in a moody blue (this one’s Britannia Blue by Benjamin Moore).
Play With Lighting Proportions
For something artistic and unusual, shoot for the moon, er…giant Noguchi lantern. Homeowner Will Sawyer transplanted the enormous light fixture from his Dumbo loft (where the ceilings were 13 feet high) into a bright corner of his Santa Barbara residence, and the effect is striking. This is the next best thing to reading under the moonlight.
Outfit a Sunny Alcove
Night owls need not apply to this warm, peachy sunroom-turned-reading hangout (painted in Lama by Dulux). To soften direct sunlight, try bamboo roller shades, which are both useful and affordable. Keep things punchy with juicy pinks and sherbet shades on cushy throw pillows to nestle into while taking in that new best-seller.
Lean Into Your Home’s Bones
Have an unused landing spot at the top of your stairs? Perhaps this is the sign you need to turn it into a loungey nook, as designer Susana Simonpietri did for folk musician Tristan Prettyman. Lean into highlighting any architectural feature you may have, such as the high, sloping A-frame in this Yosemite cabin.
Pick Any Cozy Corner
The term “reading room” may allude to a dedicated space, but don’t be fooled: You can fashion one in just about any corner as long as you have a comfy chair and somewhere to kick up your feet. Bonus points for adding a side table where you canto set down a drink or stack your latest library haul.
Keep Things Eclectic
Our homes—and varied personal interests—often require us to be flexible. Go ahead and crown a room with a multi-hyphenate title. Bring in your books, but don’t stop there. Instruments, hobbies, and the like can all find a spot. Just be sure to make room for yourself and a companion or two via a wrap-around seating arrangement like the one in the Australian quarters of product designer Sibella Court.
Make the Most of Every View
Perhaps you prefer a party for one. This hillside East Los Angeles home features the ultimate window seat, set against a backdrop of old-growth trees with just enough room for you and your imagination (or Kindle).
Squeeze Your Square Footage to Work For You
What’s a homey and restful refuge without a bit of privacy? A simple curtain panel is all you need to set aside an area of your home (yup, even a seldomly used closet!). Round things out with a place to plop down—like the Indian charpai in this home by Kate Hayes and Krista Sharif of Hayes Little Studio—a beautiful rug, art, and, of course, some lighting.
Turn the Garden Shed Into a Private Library
Designer Cynthia Abi-Naked’s Bel Air project gives every introvert the inspiration they need for a secluded bookcase-flanked haven (it was originally planned to store gardening tools), complete with dramatic velvet curtains, a well-rounded color palette, and just enough room for some marathon page turning. Oh, and all those built-ins? They’re IKEA!
Take the Reading Nook Out of New York…
A wall of windows covered with sheer draperies creates a NYC loft-inspired corner in a Chennai, India, apartment that reads like a chic mid-century modern tribute with its Louis Poulsen floor lamp and Le Corbusier chaise. Throw in a peppy monstera plant and a stack of vintage architecture magazines to bring home the contemporary reading room aesthetic.