Create Your Perfect Reading Nook at Home (Even with a Toddler!)

Lauranne here again. 👋 It's been one year since our family moved from India back to the U.S. Since settling into our new home, one of the quieter joys of this season has been shaping my own little reading corner. It’s a slow but satisfying work-in-progress... a small thing that’s making a big difference in how I start my days.

So today, I wanted to share some tips and inspiration for creating a quiet, cozy reading space of your own.

I first started doing this—creating a little space just for me—when I moved to India in 2019. Everything was unfamiliar: new city, new sounds, new people and new rhythms. Creating a quiet corner where I could feel settled became an anchor. At first, it was just a chair squeezed into an awkward corner. But over time, it grew—a soft blanket, a stack of books that made me feel like myself, my favorite mug always within reach.

It didn’t take much. Just intention, and a little time.

Here's a few things I've learned along the way...

1. Pick a quiet, cozy corner.

Choose a space that feels tucked away from the hustle of the household—like by a window, next to bookshelf, or any little alcove. As someone who gets easily distracted, when I'm somewhat removed from allllll the action, it’s far easier to enjoy a good book.

Family Tip: Let your kids or others help choose the location; they’ll be more excited to use it with you if they're picking the spot.

2. Layer on the comfort.

No surprise here—I think our kantha throws are the perfect cozy layer for a reading nook. They just get softer with time. Whether you’re cozying up in your favorite chair or stretching out on the floor, a throw somehow makes reading feel special.

Family Tip: Keep an extra blanket nearby for when someone (a spouse, a friend, a little one) wants their own moment to relax or join in.

3. Choose your lighting.

For me, there's something so comforting about being the first one awake and seeing the sun pour through our downstairs window. Still, even with natural light, I love having a reading lamp for cozy evenings or cloudy mornings. Aim for a warm but bright-enough glow so your eyes stay happy.

4. Find ways to add your own story.

Make it yours. Add something that tells your story—a favorite plant you’ve managed to keep alive, a photo that makes you smile, or a candle that reminds you of home. These little details help me reset and settle in.

5.  Gather a few good books (or just one that feels right).

A reading corner is only as good as the books you bring to it—and honestly, some days, I just don’t have the energy for anything heavy or “important.” I’ve started and stopped so many books this year (anyone else?), and I’ve decided I’m okay with that.

Sometimes the perfect book is a favorite I’ve read before. Sometimes it’s the one I’ve been meaning to read for months but just... haven’t.

I usually keep a little pile nearby—so whatever kind of moment it is, there’s something waiting for me.

A bit of reading nook inspiration...

A few sources of inspiration for me:

• Apartment Therapy
• Design Confetti
• This dreamy DIY Narnia-inspired Nook
• The Magnolia Blog

New Home & Small Beginnings 

We're a work in progress but our family's reading nook started with a chair we found and both just loved. Next to our upstairs window, you can hear birds in the morning and it looks out over the nature preserve behind our home.

There’s the classic throw that Shelley and Wayne (the first owners of dignify) gifted us as we began conversations with them. A growing stack of books on my 2025 list beside it, though I often spend more time deciding what to read than actually reading. Most mornings, I start by journaling—just a bit of writing to help me ease my mind and settle my heart before the day begins.

Now, it's Your Turn

Whether you have five quiet minutes or an hour with a good book, I hope you feel inspired to carve out a corner just for you. It doesn’t have to be perfect—just peaceful. And if you do create one, I’d love to see it! Tag us on Instagram with #mydignifycorner.

Here’s to blankets, space to reset, and the little moments that make life better.

Here are a few kanthas I think would be particularly beautiful in a reading nook: These beauties are still in stock (for now):

 You can take a peek at our dignify kanthas here.

I’d love to see your space, too—snap a quick photo and drop it in the comments, along with what you love most about your reading nook. I’m inspired by you and can't wait to see a glimpse into the spaces you've built and spend your time.

- Lauranne