Optimizing Your Reading Room

When you love to read, you want a comfortable space to pursue your hobby. Some of us are lucky enough to have a dedicated room for reading. Most of us, however, are not that lucky. When you aren’t fortunate enough to have a dedicated reading room, you can still carve a dedicated space for reading from another room in your home.

Even if your reading space is simply a corner of your living room, you can optimize the area with a few personal touches and some design tricks. Here are a few tips to help you optimize your reading space.

Pay Attention to Lighting

The right lighting is key to having a comfortable reading space. An ideal area will include both artificial light and natural light. Having the right designer curtains for your reading room will help you control the amount of natural light streaming into the area as well as add a design element to the room.

At certain times of the day, you may want to have your curtains open wide for maximum sun exposure. Closing the curtains will allow you to use a beautiful lamp or overhead lighting in your space. The right designer curtains for your reading room will add a touch of style while being easy to open or close.

Have Comfortable Seating

Comfortable seating is an essential part of any dedicated reading space. Your personal preference determines what style of reading chair is suitable for you. Before choosing your seating, consider your ideal reading position.

If you always read sitting upright, an easy chair with an ottoman, a rocking chair, or a recliner is the right choice for your reading area. Those who prefer to read when reclining or lying down will likely prefer to have a sofa or a love seat in the reading nook.

Include Adequate Storage

Books belong in a dedicated reading space. Storing those books requires adequate shelving or other storage solutions. Your design style will drive your storage choices.

Some people prefer to organize books on tall shelves along the wall. Others prefer bins or baskets filled with books and placed on shelves. Some even find the look of books stacked on tables or dressers to be appealing.

Control Your Temperature

A comfortable reading space will be a temperate zone. The temperature within the area significantly affects the comfort level of the person using the space.

If your home is older, you may have difficulty maintaining an adequate temperature for your reading space. Adding blankets or throw pillows to the area can add a hint of color as well as allow you to keep a sense of personal warmth. In summer months, a small fan could be an appropriate addition to your reading area.

Eliminate Extraneous Distractions

Most people who enjoy reading prefer a quiet space for their hobby. For them, an ideal reading space will be free of distractions such as television or telephones.

Those who prefer to have sound in their space may choose to have a method of listening to music in their area. A record player, stereo, or even a smartphone with a streaming account are additions to consider if you prefer to hear music while you read.

Final Thoughts

Whether you have an entire room set aside for reading or a corner of your living room or office, simple things will make the space perfect for escaping into the literary world.