Super Cozy Reading Nook Inspiration

As the mother of a 15-month-old, I certainly know my way around children’s books. Board books, pop-up books, and books with finger puppets attached. Tales about princesses and dragons, curious little monkeys, and that cat who wears a hat. All types of stories fill our house each night, as we curl up to a good book (or six!) before bedtime.

And really, is there anything better than a good bedtime story?

Because reading is currently such a big part of our lives, I decided to create a special little area within our home where our sweet Dorothy can read, imagine, create… and maybe, just maybe, nap dream.

When designing this “nook,” I wanted to make sure the space was soft, cozy and oh-so inviting. My toddler loves textures, specifically faux fur, so I packed as much of it into the space as I could. A tee-pee full of blankets and pillows, a toddler-sized chair covered in plush gray faux fur, and a pair of furry bunny slippers will certainly warm her up even on the dreariest of days.

I added this beautiful Tiny Prints customized pillow to the mix, which gives the nook a perfect amount of personalization and identity. There is no mistaking that this space belongs to a little girl named Dorothy!

Our collection of books is already large, and it’s important that we can see and find all of our favorites. Instead of completely packing each shelf, I used a can of gold spray paint to create custom bookends. I love how they turned out, keeping the space from being overwhelmed and bringing in a touch of whimsy.

To finish off the reading nook, I added touches of classic literature. A page from The Rainbow Fish, and this Where the Wild Things Are art from For the Love of Letters, will certainly fuel my daughter’s imagination for years to come.

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Photos by: Ardent Owl Photography

Sources:
Teepee: Amazon
“D” pillow: Tiny Prints
Purple pillows: IKEA, some years ago
Fur pillows: Kittles
Fur throw: West Elm
Fur kids chair: Pottery Barn Kids
Arched lamp: Kittles
Rug: IKEA
Bunny slippers: Target
Teddy bear {or “Papaw Bear”}: Handmade bear made of dress shirts and ties that belonged to Dorothy’s late papaw.
IndyCar rider: A pretty awesome Christmas gift for a little girl from Indiana!
Bookshelf: Family heirloom, painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint’s Burgandy and Old White
Basket: Target
Where The Wild Things Are wall art: For The Love of Letters
Rainbow Fish wall art and frame: Thrift store find
Chevron “D”: Hobby Lobby
Clock: HomeGoods
Dorothy’s fairy tale pajamas: Gymboree