18 Cozy Reading Nook Ideas for Your Journaling and Book Space

As a massive advocate of slow living and self-care, reading and journaling go hand in hand and are a great way to incorporate those two healthy living elements. They promote relaxation and creativity and support consistent habit creation. They also allow you to have some time to yourself, nourish your mind, and stay in the moment. So I’ve put together 18 tips to create the coziest reading nook you won’t want to leave!

18 Ideas for a Cozy Reading Nook

1. First up, choose the right chair

If you love your dining chairs then use them by all means, but choosing a squishy cozy ergonomic chair will definitely elevate your reading or journaling time. 

Look for something soft but structured – think plush cushions, but with back support.

2. Choose a soft, thick cozy blanket

What is a comfy-cozy space without a blanket? Be sure to set your reading nook up with a lovely thick plush blanket, to make it extra snug. 

Be careful though, the coziness may be too much and you may sleep. 

3. Setup soft lighting

Warm ambient lighting in the form of fairy lights or small lamps will definitely give you the warm and fuzzy’s! 

Try out more yellow-toned light bulbs and warm fairy lights, to create a feeling of warmth in your space. 

4. Set off all your senses with some gorgeous scents

Aesthetics and creating an inviting space isn’t just about how it looks, it’s about all of your senses being stimulated and your sense of smell is no different! 

Invest in some essential oils and pop them in a diffuser or find your favorite relaxing or luxurious scent in candle form to set it all off beautifully. 

5. Add a bit of ‘you’ to your space

Personal touches will add a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to your space. Add in your own personal touches like your favorite trinkets, wall art, family photos, or plushies. 

You want your little space to look like it’s meant for you, so add in the things that’ll make you smile every time you see them. 

6. Mix up your textures and make them cozy

Using different textures will add dimension to any space, and make it feel more welcoming. Not only that, it’ll make it feel warmer and you’ll feel snug as a bug in a rug. 

Try out textures or fabrics like faux fur, velvet, chunky knit, sherpa, wool, and chenille to create a padded paradise. 

7. Keep it clean and organized

I think I can speak for the majority of people when I say that it’s super hard to relax in cluttered, dusty, or grubby spaces so keep yours nice and organized and clean to ensure maximum relaxation vibes.

8. Organize with cute trays and baskets

You’ll want to keep your journaling supplies accessible but neat and organized. So use trays and baskets to store your stuff and keep your space cute!

9. Use plants and flowers to spruce up your space

Adding in a bunch of your favorite flowers or a lovely little plant will make your reading nook feel instantly fresher, more peaceful, and alive. 

Try to find plants that can tolerate neglect if you don’t have a green thumb! 

10. Sound is part of the aesthetic

If you have lots of background noise around your space, noise-canceling headphones might be a winner for you. 

Background noise can be distracting and irritating, so pop them on and play your favorite relaxing sounds or playlist. 

11. Decorate with natural elements

Being in nature creates a peaceful and ground feeling, so decorating with textures like wood, stone, or painting with earthy tones can mix in a beautiful natural feel that promotes relaxation. 

12. Use a comfy, cushioned seat pad

If your reading nook chair isn’t as comfortable as you like, then upcycle and buy yourself a cute cushioned pad. Even if you don’t have a chair and you’re stationed on the floor, buying some cushions and pads to deck out your space will make it a top-tier experience!

13. Add in a small side table

Of course, when you’re reading you’ll need supplies, like your tea, cookies, and water. Oh, and your lamp! A side table is perfect to set everything up that you need for easy access and will boost your aesthetic too. 

You could even pop a little plant on it to add to the ambiance of your reading nook. 

14. Prop your feet up on a footrest

It’s not always the most comfortable to sit with your feet dangling off the chair, using a footrest will help combat that and ensure maximum comfort for your cozy reading hour. 

15. Shelving for storage

Once you’ve settled in your little nook, I’m sure you don’t want to be running back and forth for your books and other supplies, so adding in shelving to store your books and other items is a great way to keep the clutter to a minimum and keep your cozy space nice and organized!

16. Use blackout blinds or curtains

Lighting is key to creating a cozy atmosphere. Blackout curtains or blinds can help you control the lighting in your reading nook.

17. Sip from your favorite mug

Everyone has a favorite mug, and where could be a better place to use it than in your gorgeous little reading nook? If you’re a coffee or tea drinker you probably already have a favorite mug, but if you don’t then why not treat yourself to one?

It’ll add a personal touch and make it even more vibey!

18. Invest in cute quality stationery

If you’re anything like me you’re already notebook-obsessed and know that the quality of your notebook can elevate your whole journaling experience.

Treat yourself to some good quality stationery that feels luxurious to use. 

Bringing Coziness and Creativity to Your Reading Nook

Your journaling and reading nook is your own little personal haven, so creating an atmosphere that will have you feeling inspired, and creative whilst being super zen is your prerogative. 

Look at selecting pieces to decorate with that are soft, beautiful to look at, and invoke a sense of calm that creates a perfect space for you to zone out and read or get in your creative flow to write or journal. 

Whether it’s your new comfy chair, your pile of cozy blankets, or your mood lighting, be sure that your space reflects you and stirs the ultimate sense of peace and relaxation in you. 

Also, I might add that there’s no wrong way to do this! If dark & gothic is your thing, then do what works. It’s all about making it reflect you and your tastes! Now all that’s left to do is grab your tea, your favorite read, or journal, and let it all flow!