Reading outside is magical. The sun, the fresh air, and the sound of the leaves rustling can make a simple reading session feel like a short trip. To make a comfortable outdoor reading nook at home, you need more than just a chair and a book. You need to plan a space that helps you relax, concentrate, and feel at peace. You can turn any spot in your yard, balcony, or patio into a great place to read by selecting the right furniture, plants, lighting, and decorations. Here are all the steps you need to make a cosy and stylish reading nook that you will want to use every day.
Choosing the Perfect Location
Consider the Sunlight and Shade
Find a good spot for your reading nook. This is the first and most crucial step. You need a place that gets the right amount of sun and shade all day. When there is not enough shade, the room can feel dark or cold. Too much direct sunshine can hurt. Pick a spot that gets soft morning light or light that comes through the trees. After the fact, you can change the light by adding a cover, umbrella, or trellis.
Find a Quiet Corner
When you are trying to read, noise can get in the way. Look for a spot that is not near busy streets, homes, or places with a lot of foot traffic. If you live in a noisy area, putting your nook near a wall, fence, or lots of plants can help block out noise. A quiet place will help you get the most out of reading outside in peace.
Make the Most of Your View
Being in beautiful scenery is part of the fun of reading outside. Pick a spot with a nice view, like your yard, a faraway mountain, or even a small group of plants in a pot. If you do not have a view, you can make one with plants, hanging boxes, or pretty screens.
Selecting Comfortable Seating
Pick the Right Chair
How long you can stay in your reading nook without getting too uncomfortable will depend on where you sit. You could choose a padded sofa, a lounge chair that reclines, or even an egg chair that hangs from the ceiling. So you can read for hours without getting tired, find chairs that support your back and help you stand up straight.
Add Soft Cushions and Throws
The right add ons can make even the most comfortable chair better. If you want to make your chairs more comfortable, add soft cushions. On cooler days, a throw blanket can keep you warm. If your nook will be outside, choose fabrics that will not get damaged by the weather. This will help your pillows last longer and maintain their appearance.
Consider Alternative Seating Styles
You can use a hammock, floor pillows, or even a swinging bench for a more laid back look. These will make your reading nook more enjoyable, and they will transport you to a different world. Make sure the seats are safe and stable.
Providing the Right Amount of Shade
Use a Patio Umbrella
A patio umbrella is an easy and quick way to block the sun in your reading spot. There are many colours and styles to choose from, making it easy to carry. Pick one that complements the rest of your outdoor decor and provides enough space for you and your books.
Install a Canopy or Pergola
If you want shade that lasts longer, you should build a pergola or canopy. To make these buildings feel more cozy, you can add climbing plants, string lights, or fabric drapes. A trellis can also help block off your reading area, making it feel more private and comfortable.
Trust Natural Shade
If your yard has big, old trees, they can be the perfect natural shade for your reading spot. Over time, planting tall plants or bamboo can also make an area cool and shady. This choice is good for the environment and can make your outdoor area look better.
Adding Lighting for Evening Reading
String Lights for Ambience
String lights look nice and give off a soft glow, so they are often used outside. Hang it over a vine, across a fence, or around some trees near your reading nook to make it glow at night.
Portable Lamps or Lanterns
You can read outside at night with lanterns and lamps that run on batteries or the sun. It is easy to connect them because they emit direct light. To feel calm, choose lights with warm tones.
Candles for a Cosy Touch
Putting candles in your reading nook can make it feel nice and cosy. Put the flames in glass lanterns or storm cases to protect them from the wind. If you want something safer, LED lights that don’t catch fire can do the same thing.
Choosing the Best Flooring and Rugs
Add an Outdoor Rug
Putting down an outdoor rug in your reading nook will make it feel like a cosy room right away. It makes the ground feel softer and reduces the space available. If you want to use your rug outside, pick one that is made of materials that will last and won’t get damaged by the weather.
Deck with wood or tiles
Wooden tiles can make your patio or porch nook look nicer and cosier. They look better and are easy to put up in your reading spot.
Go Natural with Grass or Gravel
Bring out the country feel by putting your nook on grass or dirt. Gravel requires minimal care, and potted plants can make it look like you are in a yard. Just make sure that the area you pick is stable for your chairs.
Adding Greenery and Nature Elements
Surround Yourself with Plants
If you put plants in your reading nook, it will feel fresh and new. Place plants near your seating area using hanging planters, potted plants, or vertical gardens. In addition to being pretty, plants can help clean the air.
Incorporate Flowers for Colour
Flowers in your reading nook will make it look happy and bright. For example, petunias, geraniums, and marigolds are flowers that bloom for a long time and are easy to care for.
Invite Nature with Bird Feeders
A bird feeder near your reading nook can make it look cosier. Birds singing in the background can help you relax and enjoy your reading.
Adding your style and decor
Use outdoor art to decorate
Display waterproof art or signs in your reading nook to give it personality and style. Utilising mirrors can assist in creating the impression of a larger outdoor room.
Use Cosy Textiles
Consider adding outdoor curtains to your pillows and blankets for extra comfort and safety. Select materials that match your style and can be used outside.
Add a little table
Having snacks, drinks, and books close by can make a small side table particularly helpful. Additionally, it creates a cosier reading nook so you can stay there for longer without getting up.
How to Keep Your Nook Working All Year
Protect against the weather
Getting a moveable umbrella or weatherproof covers for your furniture is a good idea, especially if you live in an area with frequent extremes of weather. These steps will let you use your nook all year.
Get ready for less hot weather
Even in winter or early spring, you can still use your reading nook by adding more covers or a portable heater. Being comfortable has changed a lot because of these little things.
Protect against bugs
Mosquitoes are the fastest way to ruin reading outside. Bugs can be kept away with citronella candles, plants that repel bugs, like lavender, or a fine mesh roof.
Taking Care of Your Outdoor Reading Nook
Clean your furniture often
Furniture outside accumulates dust, pollen, and dirt more quickly than furniture inside. To keep chairs, tables, and cushions clean and welcoming, wipe them down often.
Change or refresh the fabrics
Fabrics used outside may fade or wear down over time. If you want your nook to look brand new, change the covers, pillows, or rugs every so often.
Take care of plants and decor
If you put plants in your nook, make sure you water and trim them often. Check your ornaments for weather damage and replace any worn out ones.
Conclusion
Simply placing a chair outside is not enough to create a nice reading spot. The goal is to create a serene spot where you can immerse yourself in your favourite books and appreciate the beauty of nature. If you pick the right place, add your touches, and make sure the chairs are comfortable, you can create a space that encourages you to take your time and enjoy every page. Anywhere, from a big yard to a small balcony, you can make a reading nook. Your happy place can be a peaceful haven that brings you joy every day. Your home outside is now ready for you to use. An enjoyable book, a warm blanket, and some alone time are all you need.