Making Rearrangements - My Reading Nook
Carving Out Space to Read
Where do you do the majority of your reading? Do you have a special place you like to go to relax and read?
When we renovated our small cottage last summer I knew I would need a little bit of space inside where I could lose myself for a few hours enjoying one of my favorite pastimes...reading. This page shows how I created this area merely by rearranging a few integral pieces in our living room.
Everything in my new reading nook I already owned. I just had to reevaluate the living spaces in our cottage and move a few things. Want to see how I did it?
Finding Space - One Foot at at Time
Our cottage living room measures 17 feet long x 11 1/2 feet wide. Sliding the sectional couch forward by a few feet gave me additional room to work with. By moving this seating, between the back of the couch and the wall I was able to create a cozy space five feet deep.
Because the sectional curves, there was additional bonus space in that curved section to tuck the smaller section of the wooden tansu flat against the North wall. This working space of five feet depth was more than adequate to accommodate the small portion I intended for my reading area.
But I had to move something else before I could even think of moving the tansu behind the couch......
Hanging the TV Meant I Could Move the Tansu
During the rough-in part of our remodel, my husband ran new wiring behind the walls and hung the electrical outlet at a convenient height in the living room and both bedrooms. Now when a flat screen is hung on the wall, the wires will not show. This is something I really like!
Hanging the television on the West wall of the living area meant the antique Japanese tansu which formerly served to hold the flat screen on top could be placed behind the newly positioned sectional couch.
Mount a Flat Screen Securely
I ordered two of these mounting brackets for the flat screens in the bedrooms. Both televisions are smaller and different models, but this bracket fit both perfectly. The price was fantastic and very easy to install.
Reposition the Tansu
The tansu now fits comfortably behind the sectional couch and it's aligned against the North wall of the living area. On top I arranged five pieces (I always try to decorate in odd numbers as it's more pleasing to the eye) that I felt complimented one another.
Everything gives off a restful warmth and I think blends very well with the latex paint color of the room which is called Barley. The reading lamp was another DIY project. Do you like it? :)
Where Do You Keep the Books in Your Reading Nook?
I LOVE my Amazon Kindle reader, but I still enjoy the beauty of reading the old fashioned way. There is nothing quite like feeling the weight of a good book in your hands. If you're like me and you enjoy both, finding good book storage that saves space is very important.
You'll find options for book storage and display below and further down the page.
Add a Rocking Chair and a Side Table
This rocking chair is so very comfortable and it's just made for reading and relaxing. It was also a DIY project of mine which I wrote about here.
The stump end table was another redo. You'll find a mention of it on my Trash to Treasure lens.
Working With a Raw Wood Stump
You'll need a belt sander for this project.
Pause for a Poll - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions....
Where do you enjoy most reading?
Completing the Look of My Reading Nook
My 5 Ft x 6 Ft Area is Now Ample and Awesome!
This view shows the completed reading nook if you were standing in the cottage kitchen looking towards the living area. I added the pot of bamboo lights (I'm writing a tutorial on those lights and will include a link to it as soon as I can) and the old leather round suitcase to round out the reading area. It neatly stores several of my current crochet and hand sewing projects and signifies the end of my allotted space.
The remaining sliver of space to the right of the suitcase is designated for my writing. On our building list is a "lean-to" small writing desk just big enough for a laptop and a work lamp. Of course, when it's done I plan another tutorial to share. So please visit back if you may be interested.
You'll note the second vintage suitcase on a luggage rack in the living room? It's also wonderful storage. :)
I couldn't be more pleased with the newly rearranged space if I'd hired a professional designer to do it. And just look at all the money I've saved by doing it myself. You can do it too!
