DIY ideas for reading nook…….So here’s the thing: I’ve always wanted one of those dreamy, Pinterest-worthy corners to curl up with a book in. You know the ones—plush chair, soft blanket, some fairy lights strung up like you’re about to summon a woodland elf. And coffee. Always coffee. But I didn’t exactly have a budget labeled “reading nook makeover”.
Which is why I started experimenting with DIY ideas for reading nook transformations—cheap, scrappy, sometimes questionable, but surprisingly effective. And because I’ve made just about every mistake (yes, I once tried balancing a board across two milk crates as a “bookshelf”—spoiler: bad idea), I figured I’d share the hacks that actually worked.
Grab your hot glue gun, some thrift-store finds, and let’s make your little reading corner so good you’ll start canceling plans just to hang out there.
Step One: Pick Your Spot (and Own It)
Okay, confession. My first “reading nook” was literally a corner of my bedroom where my laundry pile usually lived. Not glamorous, but it worked once I shoved the clothes somewhere else (under the bed, obviously).
The beauty of a nook is that it doesn’t have to be big. A windowsill, a hallway corner, even that weird gap between the couch and the wall—claim it. Mark your territory like a cat with yarn.
DIY Idea #1: The Chair That Hugs You
You don’t need a $600 designer chair. Mine came from Facebook Marketplace for $30, smelled faintly of crayons, and now it’s my throne. If you can’t find one? Floor cushions, bean bags, even an old futon mattress folded in half will do the trick.
Pro tip: toss a blanket over anything and suddenly it looks intentional.
DIY Idea #2: Blanket Fort Energy
Hear me out. Hang a curtain rod or some tension rods, drape cheap fabric or a thrifted sheet, and suddenly you’ve got your very own “adult fort.” (No shame—forts are peak comfort living.)
I strung up fairy lights inside mine, and when my cousin walked in she said, “Are you… living in Narnia now?” Honestly? Kinda.
DIY Idea #3: Homemade Bookshelves
Milk crates. Wooden crates. Random planks balanced on bricks. You don’t have to wait until IKEA blesses you with extra cash. Paint them, stack them, call it rustic. My bookshelf right now is literally two wooden wine crates from a garage sale, and people compliment it all the time.
DIY Idea #4: Book Page Wall Art
Okay, book purists, cover your eyes. But if you’ve got a busted, water-damaged paperback? Tear out some pages, Mod Podge them onto canvas, and boom—instant artsy wall decor. Add doodles or watercolor splashes if you’re feeling extra.
DIY Idea #5: Cozy Lighting (Fairy Lights Forever)
Overhead lighting = interrogation vibes. Warm light = instant cozy. String lights, dollar-store lamps with warm bulbs, or those little stick-on puck lights work wonders. I even hacked a mason jar into a lantern once (basically shoved fairy lights inside it). Still use it.
DIY Idea #6: Personal Side Table
Take a stack of old hardcovers, glue them, and top with a tray or glass. Voilà—side table. I keep mine next to my chair with a candle and my emergency chocolate stash.
DIY Idea #7: Reading Pillow with Pockets
Yes, you can buy these, but making one is more fun. I hot-glued a pocket from an old pair of jeans onto a pillow. Now it holds my remote, my notebook, and sometimes random snacks. (Cheeto dust on pillowcases = less cute, though.)
DIY Idea #8: Plants + Books = Magic
Stick a little plant in your nook. Fake or real, doesn’t matter. Suddenly you’re a person who has aesthetic. Bonus points if you put the plant in a hollowed-out book. (Yes, I did this. Yes, it leaked the first time. Lesson: line it with plastic.)
DIY Idea #9: The Quote Wall
Pick your favorite book quote and slap it on the wall with decals, chalkboard paint, or even just handwritten index cards taped up. Mine says: “She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.” (Louisa May Alcott. Felt that.)
DIY Idea #10: DIY Mug Station
Look, what’s the point of a reading nook if you can’t sip tea or coffee in it? I set up a tiny cart with mugs, tea bags, and a French press. Game changer.
Step Two: Make It Yours
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: your reading nook doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Maybe yours has three stuffed animals from childhood. Maybe it has twenty candles lit at once (fire hazard, but respect).
Back in high school, I decorated my reading corner with magazine cutouts of Orlando Bloom as Legolas. Not classy, but 10/10 inspiring.
Step Three: Lean Into the Chaos
Perfection is overrated. Your nook should feel like a hug, not a showroom. Let it be messy sometimes. Stack books on the floor. Let the blanket pile look like a nest.
The point is to create a spot where you actually want to sit down and get lost for an hour (or five).
Bonus: Nook Hacks That Surprised Me
- Use a shower curtain rod for shelves. Sounds dumb, but I’ve seen it. Strong enough for paperbacks.
- Cheap rugs = instant cozy. Even a doormat works in a pinch.
- DIY candles. Melt crayons and leftover wax, pour into jars. Instant vibe.
- Noise hack: A white-noise app or even a YouTube video of a crackling fireplace makes everything better.
Tangent Time: DIY ideas for reading nook
One time, I set up my nook all perfect—candles lit, tea ready, cat curled up next to me—and then promptly fell asleep before reading a single page. Honestly? Still counts. The nook did its job.
Wrapping It Up (but like, loosely)
So yeah. Transforming your reading nook with DIY ideas isn’t about buying fancy stuff or having a perfectly color-coordinated space. It’s about creating a little corner that feels like yours. The place where you ditch your phone, grab a book, and forget that your neighbor’s been mowing his lawn for three hours straight.
Start with one idea—maybe just lights or a comfy chair—and build from there. Or go wild and build the whole fort situation. Either way, your nook will be ready for every plot twist, every nap, and every “just one more chapter” at 2 a.m.
And if anyone asks why you spent your weekend stapling fabric to the ceiling? Just tell them you’re an interior designer now.
Suggested Outbound Links
- Buzzfeed DIY Reading Nook Inspiration – for ideas that range from genius to totally chaotic.
- Apartment Therapy’s Cozy Corner Hacks – because small spaces deserve love too.
