Looking for a maximalist reading nook that makes room for more than books? Think floral walls, orange chairs and shelves filled with your favorite little things.
These corners give you plenty to work with, whether you have a whole room or just a spot beneath the stairs.
You can keep the chair simple or go all out with pink fringe and leopard print. I especially love the tucked-away benches.
Add a few patterned pillows and you’ve got a lovely place to open your next book.
Reading Nook Ideas Worth Saving
dark florals and a glowing sign
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous dark floral corner. I love the blue library sign above the bookshelves.
The deep green chair and yellow portrait pillow are such a pretty pairing.
Read also: 19 Whimsical Book Nook Decor Ideas With Storybook Details
If you want to go a step further, try a fringed lamp like the one tucked beside the books.
berry shelves and a green seat
How cute is this little seat between the bookshelves? The berry-colored shelves wrap around a green bench with two big pink pillows.
Hang a floral picture above your seat if you want to follow this look. The two little lamps on either side are worth saving for inspiration too.
a gallery wall full of flowers
Don’t want to paint your walls a dark color? No problem!
This corner brings in plenty of pattern through floral prints, rainbows and a pastel rug.
I love the green checkerboard pillow on the rounded cream chair. Try repeating that green with a small side table like the one here.
window seat with mixed pillows
This window seat may just be one of my favorites here. The bird pillow, orange cushion and colorful throw look so sweet together.
Keep books beneath the bench if you have an open shelf like this. You can mix upright rows with a basket rather than making every inch look the same.
yellow checks and orange fringe
I am obsessed with this yellow checked chair. It’s so cute beneath that orange fringed pendant, especially with the floral curtains behind it.
The pink shelving and turquoise record player give you even more color inspiration. Pick one of those shades for a small piece beside your own reading chair.
trailing plants and green walls
Calling all plant lovers, this corner has so much to save. There are trailing plants above the chair, big leaves beside the window and even more greenery around the bookcase.
The patterned pillows are my favorite little addition. Try a few different designs against a plain chair rather than matching every cushion.
orange scallops and leopard print
If you are looking for a true eye-catcher, then this one is for you. There’s an orange scalloped chair, a leopard-print footstool and a lamp with bright pink fringe!
I love the cat pillow against the orange. Keep a playful cushion in the mix if you want to try this more-is-more look.
a red floral arch
How gorgeous is this floral alcove? The red pattern carries right over the curved top, with a pink bench tucked underneath.
A green patterned pillow and a flower cushion add even more to look at. I’d keep the cream throw too, draped over one side just like this.
hanging lanterns and a moon pillow
This is one of my favorite little details on the list: a crescent moon pillow sitting among flowers and stripes. There’s even a cat curled up on the blue-green chair.
The hanging lanterns and lights around the shelves make the upper half of the corner just as interesting. Try botanical pictures beside your bookcase for another layer of decoration.
red shelves and a striped rug
The red fans are going to love this! These bookshelves and lower cabinets share the same deep red, with red and blue stripes running across the floor.
You don’t need a patterned chair to follow this idea. The pale chair here has just one striped pillow.
an orange chair and bright portraits
I love this orange chair against the green walls. The oversized colorful portrait above it is just as good.
If you have a narrow corner, try shelves on the side wall like these. Leave the wall behind your chair for a few favorite pictures.
blue trim and golden stripes
Want your reading bench to look a little different? Try pale blue trim with golden striped walls, like this tucked-away seat.
The black striped cushion and blue bolsters are so pretty together. I especially love the oversized artwork above them.
You could choose one large picture rather than filling the alcove with smaller frames.
a lime chair and pink checks
How cute is this bright round chair? Not gonna lie, the pink checkerboard pillow is my favorite part!
The rust-colored cushions give it another splash of color.
A book-filled cart sits beside the window. Try one next to your chair if you’d rather not add wall shelves.
Read also: 20 Minimalist Living Room With Dining Area Ideas to Inspire Your Space
pink seating and playful shelves
I am obsessed with this pink lounge chair. The lobster pillow, orange throw and leopard-print rug make such a fun mix.
There’s plenty to borrow from the shelves too, from colorful little crates to unusual vases. Don’t forget the wall behind your seat if you want to try a checked pattern like this.
purple shelves and an ornate arch
If you love a tucked-away reading spot, this one is for you. Purple bookshelves surround the bench beneath a dark, intricately decorated arch.
The orange pillows look gorgeous against the purple and blue patterns. Add a contrasting cushion to your own bench if you want a little of that same color combination.
a gray chaise beside the books
Don’t want to go all out with bright colors? No problem there!
This gray chaise has a mix of patterned pillows, a cream throw and blue-green shelving behind it.
I love the row of plants along the windowsill. It’s a quieter idea to borrow if your books and rug already bring in plenty of detail.
pink drawers beneath the stairs
This is such a pretty way to use the space beneath a staircase. The pink bench has drawers underneath, with oversized flowers covering the walls behind it.
Try turquoise and mustard pillows if you want to follow the color mix. The little oval mirror is a lovely addition without covering up much of the floral pattern.
burgundy walls and a matching footstool
Give your reading corner a deep red backdrop with this burgundy wall idea. I am in love with the chair and matching footstool beside the tall bookshelves.
The framed picture and white globe wall light keep the wall decoration fairly simple. Let a patterned rug bring in the extra detail below.
bookshelves surrounded by greenery
Here’s another plant-filled corner, but this one keeps the walls light. I love how the books fit beneath the window as well as behind the chair.
The green throw and leafy pillow are cute additions to the pale seat. Try placing plants at different heights to borrow the arrangement, leaving room to reach your books.
Read also: 20 New England Preppy Decor Ideas With Stripes, Plaid and Coastal Details
a curtained hideaway under the stairs
Last but definitely not least, we have this little reading hideaway beneath the stairs. I love the pale curtains gathered around the orange and mustard seating!
Read also: 20 Painted Hallway Ideas With Pretty Colors and Playful Details
The string lights follow the sloping edge above a short bookshelf. Layer patterned pillows with a few plain ones if you want to recreate the mix below.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Frida