activities you can do is reading books. Some people enjoy reading books since they can escape for a while from the harsh realities of life and wander somewhere they want to. It is true that when you read fiction books, you can imagine and dive into the story and enjoy it. Reading books bring some benefits for yourself, for instance, strengthens the brain, increases empathy, reduces stress, and some other advantage. Therefore, if you are keen on this activity, you should make a special reading corner as a little oasis in your apartment. To help you find ideas, we have noted some things you can do to create a cozy reading nook in your apartment.
- Comfort is number one
Reading allows you to calm yourself down and because of this, you should assure that the reading nook is comfortable, and you will not want to leave this spot. Choose a cozy chair, a sofa, or a beanbag so that you can sit down comfortably during reading. Put several blankets and shawls near the chair so you can wrap yourself in them when it gets cold. Since reading requires you to sit for a long time, that’s why the chair should be as comfortable as possible.
- Personalize the corner
Reading can be your me time moment, therefore the reading corner should be set up based on your preference and style or it should be personalized by you. The corner should be a place you love the most and you do not want to leave it. You can decorate the nook by putting some things that make you happy and it can set you in the mood to settle in and read good books. To name a few, you can hang some pictures of your best moments, place some motivational words, put on several pillows and blankets, or decorate with some greenery to give some mood to the morning breeze and allow you to breathe in the fresh air. The important point to notice is not to let your favourite things distract you from reading, but they should raise your mood for reading. You can place a simple wooden bookshelf to hold all your book collections, so it will look clean and tidy.
- Organize Everything
Of course, you want to have a comfy reading nook that is nice to see a.k.a. well-organized. This kind of corner allows you to enjoy every moment of your reading time. You should organize everything to create a comfy reading nook. For example, you can group the books based on the alphabet from A-Z, or based on the topics like fiction, non-fiction, business, self-development, psychology, education, or other topics, or based on regions like Europe, Latin/South America, USA/Canada, Africa, Asia, and Oceania/Australia, or you can arrange the books based on To Be Read (TBR) books for every month, but make sure it will not weigh you too much since reading time should be a small recreation for you. Classified books make it easier for you when finding a book that you want to read. To name the groups you can use magnets or stickers and stick them on the shelves. Make sure that you put everything back in its place when you finished using them, so your nook will stay organized and you can feel comfy every time you are there.
- Illuminate with Warm Lights
When creating a reading nook, you should avoid shadows in the room because they can distract you when you read a book. Some string lights can illuminate the corner to be warm and calm, so you can apply this for the decoration. But, also put a desk lamp or a floor lamp next to your cozy chair to brighten your sight during reading. Clear light is crucial if you want to have a comfy reading nook in your apartment, and of course, you do not want to have pesky shadows or straining in the dark. You can hang the string lights in the warm tone on the wall, hang them across the corner, wrap them on your chair, or place them near the shelves. We guarantee that you will love the ambiance created because of these string lights. In addition, you can also place some scented candles in this nook, when you light the candle you can feel the ambiance of relaxation and calmness. Opt for scented candles that have a calming smell like lavender, ocean breeze, vanilla, lemon, or other relaxing scents. Illuminating string lights plus scented candles can make you stay longer in your favourite corner of your apartment.
- Avoid Distractions
It is very common when someone reads a book that (s)he can wander into his or her imagination, it can feel like you move to an imaginary world where the story takes you. Therefore, it is important to remove all things that can distract you while you are reading a book. Because you want to focus on the reading, so your surrounding should be free from any distractions. You should remove any kind of photos, posters, or decorations that can hinder your concentration. You should free yourself from other businesses at work so that you can enjoy reading. Place only some things that can bring a good mood for you and do not make it too much. By having a comfy reading nook, you can have quality reading time, so you can improve your creativity and get some insights from the books and we believe that they are good for you.
When you realize the benefits of reading books, you will start reading books as your regular activity. A perfect reading nook you created in your apartment can help you to enjoy this relaxed moment. The more you read the more you are enlightened by some stories and knowledge you got from the books. Make the reading corner as personal as possible and enjoy your time there.