There are only so many places you can go to get some private quiet time when you are the only girl with 3 loud brothers. My daughter needed a retreat. As luck would have it, Pottery Barn and PBS kids.org are trying to help inspire kids to read more this summer and they asked us to participate in a Book Nook challenge. They sent me some sweet stuff to use in creating a book nook. It was the perfect excuse for me to create a girly space where my daughter can retreat into a book whenever she wants.
Here is what I came up with for my Book Nook…
Design Process:
When thinking about the space I wanted to create and after scouring the internet for inspiration, I thought of a few different things I wanted to be sure to include…
1. Cozy. Fortlike. Comfortable
How: rug, pillows, canopy, bean bag
Pottery Barn sent me the canopy, rug, bean bag and book case. If you want to make your own canopy, Lara showed us an easy method, here.
2. Good Lighting
How: next to a window, lamp
3. Inspire Reading
How: Easy access to books. Display some titles forward, READ word display
I love the covers on these classic books so I decided to show them off by turning them into a display piece. 
I used to have most of these books up high where only my oldest could reach them. Now they are down low and easily accessed.
These cute owl bookends hold the books upright. Using bookends allows more white space so the bookcase doesn’t look crowded or overwhelming. I took a cue from libraries and book stores where they display books forward – I always end up grabbing one or two…I just can’t help it!
4. Space to be creative
After reading a good book, inspiration may hit to create your own story or draw a picture about what you read about. I wanted a space equipped with supplies to make it easy to create.
How: Desk, light, easily accessible art supplies and a place to display newly created art or inspiring words, book pages, etc.
5. Colorful!
How: Incorporate bright cheerful colors that also match her room.
After getting the basic big things in place, my sisters and mom helped me come up with some little projects to really brighten up the space.
Spray paint to the rescue!
I took an old frame and painted it bright pink then hot glued bright ribbon to the back. Now it houses fun art projects and story book pages from one of our favorite books, Are You My Mother by P.D. Eastman. My son wants me to be sure to point out his owl picture drawn on a dictionary page for the word wise. He made this in school and I loved it! I went out and bought an old dictionary just so we could make more of these type of pictures…so fun!
This can easily be changed whenever her mood desires!
To add more color to the blank wall, I decided to display some colorful art supplies on it. I hot glued some bright pom-poms to magnets. I spray painted the lids to some clear jars that house colorful art supplies and hot glued magnets to the back of those. I hung colorful paper with easy to access magnet clips.
All of these items can be pulled off and used when needed and then put back on the wall.
I really wanted the word READ somewhere as a display. I spray painted each letter of the word a different bright color. Then I took the big E and mod podged a variety of colorful images from a vintage storybook. For tips on how to Mod Podge perfectly, see this post.
After gluing the images where I wanted them, I just flipped the E over and used a razor to slice the excess off. Then I used sand paper around the edges to give it a finished look.
Before and After…
This one detail makes me happy. I love how it turned out!
I also added colorful ribbons to the tie backs for the canopy and a colorful flag around the top.
I don’t think she likes her new space very much, do you?
What are your suggestions for creating a space to inspire reading?
Don’t forget to print out our FREE summer reading printables to inspire your kids to read!
Don’t forget to check out the Book Nook Challenge and…
VOTE!
Nesleirbag says
Wow, Wow Wow, Missy! I was totally drawn in to your book nook! I want to go grab a book and curl up in your new cozy space! I especially love the READ you made! This offers so many doable, bright ideas to enhance kids to WANT to read!
michaela says
How adorable! Your daughter is just as cute as can be. I LOVE the “E” and how it’s bigger than the others. So whimsical 🙂
Mindy says
LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! I want to jump into the page and curl up with a good book on that bean bag. The E turned out awesome! I love the storybook detail modpodged on. EVerything turned out so so cute!
Emily says
I love this! I always say the best birthday/christmas/anything gift is a book. I love reading with my kids, and they are learning to read independently too. A nook would be so great for them! Thanks for the ideas, and good luck!
Bobbi says
I love the mix of light and airy, with comfort and coziness. It looks so relaxing and makes me want to curl up with a good book!
STACY says
This is the cutest space ever! I love how bright and cheerful it is! If I were a little girl I would want to spend hours reading and creating in these spaces! You are amazing! I hope you win!!!
Bettsi says
Wow, I love that decoupaged “E”! The whole nook is great- I’m sure she is loving it.
Ashley G says
Love it! This is so inspiring. I can’t wait to make a book nook for my daughters. Love the READ letters. Such an adorable idea. Can’t wait to get started.
Shelley says
I can NOT get over how much I love those READ letters. So super cute. I want a book nook pronto.
Stephanie says
I voted! You did an adorable, awesome job!
Alina says
Amazing is all I can say for the space you created.
Sean C says
Great color scheme! Love the space.
Patricia Mickelsen says
What a cute and creative idea! So beautifully done – I love all the bright colors and cute accents! Well done!
Carolyn B. says
I LOVE you book nook! Would love to make one for my granddaughter – totally inspiring!
Prana says
Loved this lovely girl-themed book nook and it definitely triggered some neat ideas of how to do something similar in my daughter’s room!
Diana says
I love this!
Wendy says
So cute!! I have some of those metal ‘squares’ that I want to use in a similar way, but I just can’t figure out how to hang them on the wall. Can you share, please?!?
Missy says
I got these from Pottery Barn and they included all the hardware needed to hang it – but if you just have the metal, try Lowe’s – I bet they could help you!
cristi says
LOVE IT! I love the owls and how you did those letters! I am inspired!!
Chelsea says
This is so adorable! So perfect, thanks for sharing!
Crystal says
Wonderful post, I am definitely inspired to carve out some reading nook space now! Thank you for providing the inspiration!
Emily M says
Where did you get the bookshelf? I need a short one like that.
Missy says
It is from Pottery Barn. I love it!
Jessica W says
What color did you use on the desk? I love it!
Missy says
I love that color too! I actually bought the dest like that at a second hand store – but it looks just like the light pink spray paint I used on the chair and I got that at Lowe’s – it is the only lighter pink they have.
Lucy says
I love the nook & am wondering where you got the little banner(s) for the canopy? Thanks.
Rosa Maria says
Wow! really perfect book nook ideas. Kids feel relax and inspire for reading. Thanks for sharing this idea.