Creating a cosy reading nook doesn’t mean you need a whole room — even a tiny corner can become your perfect book retreat. If you’ve been searching for book nook ideas or reading corner ideas that fit into small spaces, you’re in the right place. I recently transformed a small area of my home into a warm, inviting spot that’s both stylish and functional and I’m excited to share my step-by-step process.
Step 1: Choose a Calming Base Colour
When planning a small reading nook, starting with the right wall colour sets the mood. For me personally, I love neutrals. I picked a soft biscuit beige — it feels warm, soothing, and helps make a small space feel open yet cosy. This kind of neutral is a great foundation for any cosy reading nook idea because it balances calm with comfort. I went for Lick paint in Beige 01.
Step 2: Add a Pop of Colour with Comfortable Seating
Next, I chose a terracotta snuggle seat for the nook. It’s the ultimate comfy spot to curl up with a good book, and its warm, earthy tone adds a lovely splash of colour without overwhelming the space. This is a key part of any reading corner idea — a seat that invites you to stay a while (and all your pets...)
Step 3: Pick a Statement Bookcase that Works for Small Spaces
I opted for a dark green bookcase with pretty scalloped detailing, even though I didn’t have much green elsewhere in my living room. This choice brought depth and vibrancy to the book nook, complementing the terracotta chair beautifully. Adding matching green cushions and artwork helped tie the space together, creating a flowing, harmonious vibe — perfect for book nook ideas that feel thoughtfully curated. I wanted the corner to match my home, to feel a part of it; somewhere to escape to if someone is watching TV and I don't feel like it, but we still want to be together.
Step 4: Layer with Warm, Inviting Lighting
Great lighting is crucial for a cosy reading nook. I chose a standard lamp with scalloped edges to mirror the bookshelf’s details. The warm light combined with the dark wood tones creates an inviting atmosphere, ideal for relaxing with your favourite stories anytime. I haven't opted for fairy lights and this is very unlike me, but I have fairy lights across my fireplace opposite my new book nook and didn't want to overwhelm the space. This is something I may reconsider come autumn, but I was conscious I wanted my book nook to feel minimalist and even balance of contemporary and traditional and cosy.
Step 5: Organise Your Books with Style
A key part of how to create a book nook in a small space is keeping your books neat but visible. I’m using ShelfAware’s Genre Dividers to separate my collection by category, paired with their bookshelf align tool to keep everything perfectly lined up. It’s a beautiful and practical way to showcase your favourite editions, especially in smaller nooks where space matters. For extra help organising and styling your space, try our genre dividers and bookshelf align guide — designed specifically with book lovers in mind.
Step 6: Add Personal Touches for Extra Comfort
To make the nook truly mine, I added a new favourite mug for coffee, houseplants, and incorporated our bookish wax melts that match the mood of whatever I’m reading. Scent can make a huge difference in creating a relaxing, immersive reading experience — one of the best parts of any cosy reading nook idea.
Final Thoughts on Small Space Book Nooks
Your perfect book nook doesn’t have to be large or complicated. With these simple, stylish ideas, you can turn even the smallest corner into a cosy retreat designed for reading and relaxing.
Ready to create your own cosy book nook? Start small, think big, and turn your reading corner into a dream escape.
