Make Yourself a Reading Corner in Your Home!
Your home is a temple, and you should be able to feel comfortable, peaceful, and balanced when you walk in. It’s the place where you rest, recharge your batteries, and get to be totally yourself. This makes it all the more important to create environments that give you some time to be alone, for the sake of your well-being. Having a reading corner in your home is one of the best ways to do that.
What do you need to make a reading corner in your home?
Take a piece of paper and a pencil. We’re going to show you a list of all the things you need to create the best reading corner you could ever imagine in your home. You don’t need much space, either. With a few basic elements and the classics in your hands, you’ll be ready to settle.
1. Something to read in
The best option here would be a nice big armchair. It needs to be comfortable above all, with good back support so that you can spend a long time in it. Adding a footrest would just ideal if you wanted maximum relaxation.
Another great, very decorative option would be to put in a chaise longue. With this, you’ll be able to stretch your legs and even take a quick nap if you want.
2. Plants
When it comes to making a room feel relaxing, you can’t forget about plants. Not only do they purify your environment, but they also help you concentrate and relax. Not to mention how beautiful they look in any part of the home.
3. Good lighting
This is obviously one of the most crucial things you need to think about for the reading corner in your home. Ideally, it should be near a window so that you can get lots of natural light during the day. But you’ll probably want to use it at night too, so it’s good to have a flexible lamp for the dark hours.
Make sure the light isn’t too strong or too soft. It shouldn’t cast a shadow over you, either, because this could end up damaging your vision in the long term.
4. A nice aroma
Now that we’ve gone over some of the most important physical and visual aspects of making a reading corner in your home, it’s time to talk about scents. You can use essential oils (a couple of drops in a diffuser are a good option) to work some aromatic wonders. On top of that, they have real benefits for your physical and mental health!
For example, did you know that eucalyptus can help you with nasal congestion? And what about how lavender has relaxing properties? The list goes on and on.
5. An orderly bookshelf
Having a small bookshelf will allow you to have all your favorite books close at hand. That’s a key part of a good reading corner, and it will also make it clear what the area is for. Don’t worry, even if you’re mostly reading e-books now, you probably still have some physical copies of books laying around. These make for great decoration!
6. The ideal temperature
Keep a comforter close by so that you can snuggle under it on a cold winter afternoon. As for the summertime, make sure you pick an area that’s easy to cool so that the heat doesn’t give you a reason not to use your reading corner!
7. Cushions
Not only are they great as decoration, but cushions are also super comfortable. Put one under your lower back area, and make sure you’re not craning your neck to read. Always choose soft cushions in warm colors, and make sure they match the couch or armchair you’ve picked.
8. A side table
You’ll need to have a small side table nearby as a place to put your book and anything else you might need. Like what, though? Well, it’s good to have a glass of water nearby, and if you want to make it even more lovely, you can bring a bowl of nuts, a glass of wine, a mug of tea or coffee…It all depends on what you like!
Just remember, the goal here is for you to be comfortable, so you should try to create an environment that feels perfect and allows you to lose yourself in a book for hours.
Having a reading corner in your home is good for you!
Yes, we know what you’re going to say: you don’t have the time to read. But give it some real thought before you lock yourself into that position. You’re probably all caught up with the latest popular TV show, aren’t you?
We’re not saying that to judge you, you just may not have found the motivation yet to spend time on this wonderful habit. Luckily, making this kind of space for yourself can be just the motivation you need. If that’s not enough, here are some of the concrete benefits of reading every day:
- Reading activates your neural networks, helping form new connections. What that does is help you find new ways of thinking, new perspectives, and new solutions to problems.
- It broadens your horizons. Reading is like traveling, but with your mind. You can learn all about new worlds just by opening a book.
- It’s a good way to deal with the stress of daily life, and it can help you get better sleep.
This is an article where you can learn more about the benefits of reading. So, what are you waiting for? Start designing your reading corner now!