They say the most magical time to read a good book is when the rain is gently pattering against your window. It makes you feel all cosy and wonderfully lost within those pages. 📖 And while I couldn’t agree more, I believe there’s another perfect moment for this simple joy. On summer days. 🙂 When a warm breeze flutters through the sheer curtains. When the world outside feels soft, golden, and at ease. ☀️ When all is calm and moods are light. In our little dreamy, pastel hued reading nook setup. 🌸
So if you’re anything like me, you’ll know how important it is to have our restful corner ready. Not just for the chilly, rainy days, but for the sun-drenched, lazy ones too. Honestly, it’s not even about a big decorating effort. Just a few simple changes in textures, colours, and little details here and there. A light, breathable throw for summer afternoons. Or swapping out heavier cushions for soft linen covers in mellow hues. Maybe just a fresh bunch of garden blooms on the side table.🌷 After all, our reading nook deserves a little love all year round. Just like the rest of our home. 🩷
The Heart of Our Reading Nook: The Perfect Seat
Of course, we need to start with the seating area. Fundamentally, the most important thing is to find a truly relaxing position. And, of course, a captivating book in hand. The rest? Those are just lovely little details. Once I’m hooked on the story, I completely lose myself. I forget where I am, what time it is, even how I got there. That’s what reading means to me, and honestly, I love it. 🙂
Summer, for me, equals pastel tones all around. Especially in my dreamy little reading nook. Those soft, airy shades that make me feel calm, balanced, and completely in tune with the world outside.💆 Pale pinks, buttery creams, soft sage, and sky blues … they turn my space into a peaceful corner where every page feels even lovelier to read. As a small person, I absolutely adore curling myself up in a big, comfy chair, in any pastel colour I can find. And if I struggle to track down something in a soft, dreamy hue, I’ll simply stick to neutral tones. And I will dress it up later with floral cushions and light-coloured throws, perfect for catching the summer breeze.
But if we’re lucky enough to have big windows, we can even go for an elegant chaise lounge sofa with gold legs. Or maybe add a larger wooden bench by the window and dress it up with the softest, pastel textures we can find. Or even an indoor swing chair to help us dream with our eyes open. And one thing I’ve learned over time … there’s no right place for a reading nook. It doesn’t have to be by the window, in a corner. It can be in any room that feels right. It’s all about intuition rather than visuals, trust me. You can feel it. 🤍
The Magic of Sheer, Swaying Curtains
And while seating is the heart of any good reading nook, the next thing I always think about is the curtains. I truly think they are the perfect setup for a reading session. As professional as it may sound.😋 But honestly, once those curtains catch the gentle wind, it feels like the whole room was made for that very moment. 😊
I can picture myself now, book in hand, with the scent of greenery drifting in from outside. And the warm air wrapping around me like a fairy tale moment. ✨ The sheer curtains softly swaying with every breeze, casting patterns of light and shade across the room. I’m not afraid to admit that most of the time, I even fell asleep in my reading nook.😴 A thirty-minute summer nap right there, surrounded by softness and light. Believe me, it doesn’t compare to anything else.
I would opt for sheer, light, pastel-coloured curtains. It’s the perfect season to add a bit of colour to our windows. Plus, it makes the whole place look so much happier. The natural light they’ll let in is an absolute game changer for our mood. And the best “reading glasses” we could ever wear. 😋 We can even go for a combo, a sweet little mix of sheer curtains and slightly thicker ones. Just for those moments when we crave a little privacy. Though … I’ll admit, I never close my windows during these blissful warmer months. 🤭
Add Soft Pastel Cushions and Throws
Even when the weather’s warm, I sometimes feel the need to cover my legs while I’m reading. I suppose it just gives me that extra sense of security, safety, and cosiness. But of course, I’m talking about light materials here. Those that are absolutely summer-proof. 🙂
So, we can always drape a cute pastel throw over the arm of our chair. I have a soft spot for the ones with fringes. They take me straight back to my childhood summers at my grandparents’ house. My grandma used to adorn every room with them, and I’d even take them outside to play. It’s so special how certain little additions in our home can stir up those quietly tucked-away memories.🤸 The ones we rarely pause to remember. Yet they shape such a solid, tender part of who we are. 🤍
As for decorative cushions, I absolutely adore pastel floral print ones. They bring a feeling of joy and mirror the awakening nature outside so beautifully. And to be honest, I don’t just use them for the aesthetics.😅 I have cervical spondylosis, so for me, cushions are a little lifesaver. They help me find the right position while reading. And believe me, it takes about five of them for me to truly relax, both mentally and physically. 👀
Include a cute side table
I know it might sound like just a decorative touch, but while it enhances the aesthetic of our pastel-hued reading nook, it’s so much more than that. We need a stylish little table nearby for all our comforts. A place to rest our reading glasses, to hold a cup of our favourite drink (maybe an iced one on those hot summer days). Or even a generous plate of our beloved homemade cookies. I like to indulge myself during what I call my “reading therapy sessions.” Yes, that’s exactly what they are to me.💆 The best medicine for my mind, my soul, and even my body. A chance to unwind, to detach myself from every single aspect of the outside world.
While for decorative purposes, we could go for a pastel-coloured table. Or even a neutral-toned one with elegant gold finishes. Whatever we choose, it will beautifully complement the rest of our decor. To make the most of it, I’d add an adorable pastel ceramic vase, filled with the flowers I love most. For me, it would be lilies. And for you? What would you choose? 😊
Make space for a small bookcase
I always insist on this part right here. It doesn’t matter if our space is small, we can still find a spot for a little bookcase. I absolutely adore having all the books I’ve read close to me. I love the scent of books, the feel of the paper, and everything they awaken in me. Consider it an homage to all those beautiful pages that have kept us company.🩷 Those books have seen me through my best days, my worst days. And those random afternoons when I just needed to escape. It’s unreal how a simple story can hold so many versions of me inside it. 🤍
We could simply install a few floating shelves on the wall and line them with the books we cherish most. Or, we might opt for an open-shelves bookcase and give it a decorative touch too. You know what I keep between my books? Lots of scented candles. And I swear, it smells like heaven. My reading nook couldn’t be dreamier. The comforting scent of old pages, stories that have shaped me. And aromas that wrap around me like a soft memory. It’s where I meet the person I’ve been and the one I’m becoming, between the lines of well-loved books. 🙂
Never underestimate the importance of warm lighting
I know. You might say, who needs artificial light during summer, right? 😅 When we have all that delicious and soothing natural light pouring in. I couldn’t agree more. Windows wide open, sheer curtains fluttering, and all the vibrant life of nature coming inside our home.
But personally, when I’m really lost in a book, I just can’t stop reading. Dark or light outside, it doesn’t matter. I literally can’t sleep if I don’t read just one more chapter … and then another, until the story’s finished. I bet you know exactly what I mean. 🙃
For those moments, warm lighting is our best friend. It’s gentle on our eyes, doesn’t break that zen mood, and helps create a truly serene ambiance. I’d always say have a lamp near your seating area, whether it’s a table lamp or even a floor lamp. I really adore the ones with dimmable lights, you know … for when I’m feeling sleepier and sleepier. 😋
Scented candles already give off that warm glow, so maybe add some cute LED lights tucked under your shelves. It really makes the reading corner feel tranquil and truly intimate. 🤍
P.S. How does your reading nook look? 😊 I’d love to hear all about it!
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