How to create a reading nook for children in your home

Children’s books should be enjoyed privately. They should be read under the covers by torchlight after the adults think you’ve gone to sleep; or hiding in tree houses with a stash of chocolate chip cookies – anywhere monsters, pirates and school friends can climb through the window.

Every child should have a place to fall into a book. A book corner, if you will. And it doesn’t take much effort to make one.

As children’s book author and critic Imogen Russell Williams says, ‘The ideal reading corner for children requires three things: comfort, secrecy and convenient storage for a variety of books and snacks.

“Enclosed, cozy and full of soft, warm light, the best reading dens are the perfect launching pad for a child’s imagination.”

Here are a few suggestions.

Wrapped in cotton

You can go Princess And The Pea by shielding a small hole with a swirling, royal canopy from The Handmade Scandi Company. These are available in pink, white, lavender or ‘cloud’ and cost £56.

For extra twinkle, swing around slightly and turn off the main light. Hey presto: stars in a night sky.

Looking for a canopy in bolder colours? The Rainforest Reading Corner Canopy from TTS Group will brighten up the reading corner (£71.99).

Live in an alcove

Find an existing hole and put it to good use. Throw in some pillows, put up some bookshelves, and drape a curtain over it so the mini-reader can shut up.

Ikea’s Kura bed curtain comes with windows so your brood can stick their heads out from time to time (£25).

Reading tent

Clambering into a teepee in the corner of the bedroom feels like an adventure in itself. And the little reader can fall asleep between the pages.

Argos sells a lovely bear themed teepee made by Chad for £40. Or if you want to build a teepee together, six bamboo sticks and sheets held in place with clothespins will do.

build it

Natural light is great, especially for picture books. If you have a big window and can build some seating around it, it’s a fantastic place to read about derring-do as you stare out to imagine the action. If the window isn’t low, a ladder to the seat will add to the fun.

What goes in?

Make furniture comfortable and a little flexible. Your offspring may want to read sitting or lying down, so some sort of small chaise lounge should work well.

The Handmade Sofa Company’s range of highchairs starts at £425.

Or if you prefer something that looks like a miniature armchair and ottoman, the Stardust bean bag chair and ottoman from John Lewis £72 will look classy.

Add a desk and encourage the child to respond to the book by writing their own sequel starring themselves. Ikea’s Micke costs £50.

To outfit it all in style to match, The Great Little Trading Company has a range of themed book storage boxes, display racks, rugs and bean bags.

Or, if space is limited, you can buy ready-made chair/storage combinations such as Little Helper’s children’s bookcase for £97.