In The Intentional Bookshelf I talk in great detail about the importance of creating a comfortable, relaxing and sacred space for reading. This is a space that makes you feel at ease and makes your child want to snuggle up or calm down and sit for story time. Everyone’s reading space will be different, just like the books they read to their children will be different. Depending on the colors you like and the styles that calm you and your family, one reading space may be preferable over another.
If you have been following along with our journey and lives, you will know that my little family of three is soon moving to South Carolina! We are a military family so these frequent moves are no surprise to us, but this is the first time we have plans to actually buy our own house. That said, creating a space just for reading is basically at the top of my list for things that will exist in the new house. As you might expect, I’ve been pinning like crazy about the new space and getting super inspired by all the awesome cozy areas we could create. I think we’ll do a combination of some or many of these – these are the elements of kids reading spaces we love. I hope some of them inspire you to create one of your own for your family!
*ps: if you’re looking at these and feeling sad that you cannot recreate them right now for whatever reason, remember, nothing beats a good ole’ blanket, big pillows and some stuffed animals! It doesn’t have to be perfect to be a relaxing space.
Elements of Kids Reading Spaces We Love
1. Reading Tents and Teepees
With some blankets and pillows, these tents are just so perfect and cozy. This one shared by Lindsey of the Pillow Thought blog is particularly adorable. I don’t know if I would risk making one of these myself, I’d be way too afraid that it might collapse, I’ve seen them at Target actually and they’re quite nice!
Image by Pillow Thought.
2. Book Nooks and Hideaways
If we are able to get the house we have been praying for fingers crossed, we will have 2 stories which means…stairs! I have always loved the reading areas that take advantage of that extra space under the stairs. Kids are small, right? Why not take advantage of tiny little spaces that encourage closeness and snuggling!? This fantastically colorful one by Lay Baby Lay is what dreams are made of.
Image by Lay Baby Lay.
3. Hanging Canopies
This particular one is handmade by a small business, Blue House Joys. I love the simplistic and clean look to these hanging canopies and how you can easily make a space feel larger by using the whole vertical area. Also, who wouldn’t want to play hide and seek and read books in that thing?
Image by Blue House Joys.
4. Low Bookshelves
One thing I did in our old apartment that worked well but was poorly executed was I put bookshelves up on the wall. It was great in theory because the books acted as decor in our home, but I failed to think through the real use. Addison couldn’t reach 3 of the 4 shelves…#fail! So this time I’m planning to keep the bookshelves nice and low (whether they’re on the wall or not). This house bookshelf is so adorable and I love that it’s hung so low! By the way, Love Create Celebrate actually gives the plans to build one of these yourself!
Image by Love, Create, Celebrate.
I can’t wait until we find out whether we can close officially on our dream home or not – until then, I’ll be happily pinning away and imagining what all of the kids reading spaces and the rest of the home could be.
If you are looking for all the right books to fill your reading space with that align with your family values and children’s interests, definitely make sure you get my free master booklist by signing up below!
Do you have a reading space for your family? Which of these elements is your favorite?
These are gorgeous ideas! This is our little reading corner –
https://delightfulnote.com/blogs/delightful-blog/book-bin
It’s my fave little part. We are about to move to a much smaller place but a reading nook is still on the must have list!
These are such cute and adorable reading nooks!!
The reading tent is definitely a hit in our house! The girls love crawling in and having a little space for themselves to snuggle up with a book.
Ooh I love the tent and the canopy! It’s nice to create such places. I’m already planning to have 1 of my little one.
i love that tent!!!
Love, love, love it! Having a relaxing and inviting place for your little one to spend time and enjoy a good book is so special. So honored to be featured here! Thank you!
Of course – once we saw your work we couldn’t help but share. Thank you! xo.
Such cute ideas who wouldn’t want to read in those?! I really like the tent idea.
ME TOO! Definitely my fav.
I love these ideas! My daughter would love to have one of these in her room.
I know, right! Which is your favorite, Kirsta?
I have a hammock set up in our library as a cozy reading space.
Oh! Fun. I never thought to put a hammock inside but that makes total sense as a reading space.
I absolutely love your ideas. I would have loved to had these when I was growing up. 🙂
Me too! If I could only go back in time…at least I can give my daughter the best reading space ever!
I love that teepee and the little reading nook with the chalkboard! I can’t wait to do something like that for our little girl’s room! Saving for later for sure! 🙂
Totally – the chalkboard detail on the reading nook is one of my favorites. YAY! I would love to see how you implement some of these.
Beautiful Ideas. May have to use some for myself. Lol
Thanks Gina, which was your favorite? It seems most people love the teepee / tent!
I’ve been wanting to get my kids a teepee for some time now. I love the idea of it being a reading nook.
I know, they are seriously too cute. Let me know if you get one, I think once we move we’ll definitely be investing.
Yes good reading spaces changes the mood and kids feel calm and can read for more time
Exactly. It helps them relax and if the space is comforting and welcoming, it’s a place they’ll go for “safety” and rest.
I love this so so much!! I have a Pinterest board that is filled with little reading nooks for kids, specifically magical ones like the tent. All of these gave me so many ideas for my future little ones.
Missblondeambition.com
That’s awesome! I also have a pinterest board, only issue is I have so many pins it’d be hard to implement all the great ideas.
My kids love reading in their tippee and also on our bay window seat:)
That’s so cool that you actually have a teepee! That’s the goal. May I ask how you have it set up? Against a wall / in a corner? I see all these amazing photos but I’m trying to think about how I would actually create a similar space.
I love this! I have 6 year-old twins who are learning to read. My daughter is obsessed with it and could definitely use a dedicated reading space in our house. Thanks for the inspiration!
That’s so fun! I think the more we create these awesome spaces for them, the more they will want to sit there and enjoy them.