How To Turn A Closet Into A Reading Nook

If you don’t need the storage, turning a closet into a reading nook is a creative way to repurpose the space. Setting up a particular spot for lounging and reading is brilliant, whether for a home library, kid’s room, or primary bedroom. It gives you an extra sense of space in a room while also providing a cozy retreat.

Turning a closet into a reading nook starts with taking everything out of the closet and prepping the space. Remove the closet doors and paint the walls. Include shelving and book storage, a comfortable place to sit or lounge, and lighting. Adding some artwork and other fun accessories can help personalize the space and make it more inviting.

Converting your closet into an extension of your living space doesn’t have to be super involved. You can keep things simple or go all out with creating the reading nook of your dreams. Either way, you need to know the basic steps for making a successful reading nook.

After removing everything, you’ll likely see lots of scuffs, dings, and holes from the removed shelves. Spackle holes and prep the walls for a paint job to freshen things up. You can opt to paint the closet the same color as the other walls in the room or use a contrasting color.

Remember, a reading nook is typically a calm space, so choose colors that help you feel this way. Also, make sure the colors you choose complement the rest of the room.

If you haven’t already done so, remove the closet doors. You might want to store them in your attic or garage if you ever plan to sell your home. This way, future homeowners have the option to turn the space back into a closet.

If you don’t plan to sell anytime soon or don’t have the storage space, sell or donate the doors. You can always get new ones if you end up wanting doors back on the closet at a later date. If you still would prefer some privacy for your reading nook, hang curtains across the opening.

You can’t have a reading nook without some books. You can install wall shelves, use a freestanding bookshelf, or use decorative baskets.

For young children, display books with their covers facing out. You can use a shallow shelf or even create DIY wall shelves out of PVC rain gutters.

Don’t forget about the side walls of your closet. This space provides additional opportunities to store books, extra pillows, blankets, and more.

If you don’t have any light in your closet turned reading nook, you won’t be able to read. So, make sure adding lighting is part of your overall plan.

Your closet might already have a light. If so, look into making it dimmable. But if there’s no light, you have some options.

If you have it in your budget, hire an electrician to install a light or an outlet. An outlet in your closet allows you to plug in a cute lamp or LED rope lights that change colors.

If you’d rather not add electrical into the mix, look for battery-powered LED lights that you can install on the wall. You can find battery lights in numerous styles, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your nook’s design.

You can turn your closet into a reading nook and still use it for clothes or other items. Turn the bottom half of the closet into a reading nook and maintain the upper half for storage. You would follow the above steps, only applying them to the lower portion of your closet.

At the top of the closet, leave a couple of shelves as storage. Or have a high-mounted rod for things that don’t hang low, like shirts and blazers. Then, in front of this closet section, hang a short curtain that blocks this part from view.

If you plan to hang curtains as privacy for your reading nook, hang them in front of this other short curtain. Since you’re only using the bottom half for reading, keep things low.

Use a large cushion or pillows for sitting on. Hang artwork centered between the floor and midpoint of the closet, etc.

Turning a closet into a reading nook is an excellent way to use the space if you don’t need it all for storage. Take everything out of your closet, including shelves and rods, and prep and paint the walls.

Then, add some storage and shelves for books and other nook essentials. You’ll need a cozy place to sit, whether a chair, poufs, or a big cushion. You can add lighting easily with battery-operated LEDs or have an electrician install a light or outlet in the space.

Finish everything off with some artwork and accessories that help make the space inviting and more personal. Now, all you need to do is grab that book you’ve wanted to read, kick back, and relax.