Today, over 18 million young adults attend American universities, and that number is only growing. It's no secret that students have to do a lot of reading. But this is only one demographic of those who have their nose in a book on a regular basis. Anyone who's a big reader knows. There's no better way to have a perfect night in than to immerse yourself in another world. Whether you read regularly for work or for pleasure. Creating the perfect home study room or reading space should be a priority. You might not know exactly what this space entails- study materials? Bookshelves? In any case, though, you know it's something you want. It's even more difficult to assess what you need in a reading room. Because every person is different. There's no standard for decor that makes everyone cozy. So you need to know yourself in order to create the right space for your comfort. Luckily, we're here to help! Read on for some food for thought on how to create the perfect space and curl up with a textbook or mystery novel.
1. Decide What It's For
Before you can decide on the actual decor of your reading room, you need to decide what you're going to primarily be using it for. If you're a student, you're likely going to be using it for studying and critical thought. If you're someone who reads a lot for your own enjoyment, you likely just want a place to snuggle up and lose yourself in the pages of a book. You might want a more serious space if you're reading mostly for classes or work. Consider harsher lighting and designated areas to remove distractions. If you read mostly for pleasure, you might like some soft lighting and relaxing colors surrounding you when you curl up with a cup of tea. If you do both regularly, create a combination of these spaces! There's so much you can do. From designating different areas of the room to study and fun to creating a unique combination of design ideas, the possibilities are limitless.
2. Create a Reading Nook
One thing's for sure: you want to be comfortable when you read. If you're constantly worried about that spring digging into your back or that uncomfortable lump under your butt, you won't focus on anything. Here are nine reading nook ideas to create a cozy space. Read on for some ways to make your reading room as comfy as can be.
Books, Books, Books
If you love to read, it's obvious that you're going to want to have books in your reading room. If you're using it more as a study space than a place to kick back with a novel, you might think you need fewer books. Still, it's a good idea to have some on hand and read them as a reward for your hard work. Stock up on all kinds of books. Classics like Austen and Dickens are great for nights that you want to be immersed in the past, and mysteries like the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes or Deanna Raybourn's more recently written Veronica Speedwell mysteries are perfect for rainy days. If you want to have a little bit of twisty fun, try fantasy books like those by Cassandra Clare or VE Schwab. Get the right amount of shelves for all the books you want to include in your 'home library.' If you're using it as a study space, keep the books you read for fun in a different spot than your textbooks. You don't want to be distracted from neurobiology textbooks by a relaxing manga like Black Butler or Urusei Yatsura.
Study Materials
Of course, not everything can be all fun and games. Your room is probably not just for a relaxing night in, after all: it's a study. This means that you're going to need to have an appropriate place for the study materials that you need to be successful. Make sure that pens, post-it notes, highlighters, and anything else you may need are easily accessible from the space that you'll be reading your textbooks and doing your work. The beanbag chair that you should be sitting in should be next to drawers that hold these supplies.
Seating
Having a traditional desk isn't a bad idea for the times when you want to have materials in drawers right at hand. Desks are also good because they provide you with a place to spread everything out when on a laptop or sorting through things. For actual reading, though, there's a better alternative. When you think of beanbag chairs, you likely think nostalgically back on your childhood. But beanbag chairs aren't only available for people of all ages- they're encouraged for adults. They're great for all your needs because they're so versatile and healthy for your back by promoting good posture and offering support. Besides that, they're also eco-friendly.
3. A Relaxing Decor
Having a relaxing decor is crucial to any room where a lot of studying or reading takes place. Here, we're going to tell you some of the ways that you can make your space perfect for kicking back and relaxing with a book in hand.
It's All in the Lighting
As any big reader knows, the lighting of a room is essential to creating the perfect atmosphere for spending time with your book. Too little light means you can't see anything. Using harsh lights is uncomfortable (and, in extreme cases, unsafe) for your eyes. It's a good idea to have a bright bulb above your designated study space. However, it shouldn't be the only option. If you're trying to get cozy while reading or it's just been a long day, softer lighting is going to help you relax like you wouldn't believe. There are a lot of options. Fairy lights are a modern and current trend that will make your room look amazing. And give you the right amount of lighting to both see and relax. Coloured bulbs that give off a soft glow are also amazing As are small lanterns or Christmas lights that circle your room in various colors.
Colors and Designs
Speaking of colors, you're going to want to pick the right ones. Studies show that the colors you surround yourself with empirically have an effect on your mood. This means that it's time to crawl into your study beanbag and do some research on what the best colors are. Spoiler alert: it's going to vary based on what your room is primarily for. If you want a cozy space, blues are universally viewed as serene and relaxing. For a more invigorating space that encourages you to be a go-getter, reds can give a room more energy. For a mood lifter in any kind of space, yellow is a safe bet. You can include these colors in your decor in a variety of ways. Wallpaper and furniture colors are obvious ways, as well as light fixtures and decorative features. You can mix and match these colors, too- consider a sky-colored beanbag in the corner of the room where you curl up with a novel and a red one where it's time to focus on your calculus textbook.
4. Love Your Placement
Placement of objects also, of course, affects the vibe of any room. Here, we'll give you some tips and tricks to make sure that everything in your study/reading room is just so.
Outlets
You know when you go to a coffee shop and all the tables next to outlets are taken? That's one of the most frustrating feelings on the planet. It would be even more frustrating, though, if it happened in your own home. Make sure to place the beanbag that you sit in to study near an outlet. Chances are, this is the part of the room where you're going to use your computer the most often since essays are mostly written for school or work. You don't want to find yourself angry because your computer's dead when you need it.
Windows
On the other hand, windows are best placed in areas where you engage in cozy reading. You'll get to bask in nothing but the natural light while the sun's out, which means that you'll get a lot of health benefits through vitamin D and healthy UV rays. Still, windows are essential in any room and can be used in any part of a room. You definitely want to get some natural light while you're studying or reading, so make sure that you choose the right space before setting up a reading room.
Love Your Home Study Room
You might be a little overwhelmed when you first start to create your reading room. But if you think about decor, placement, and what's going to make you feel at home in a cozy atmosphere, you'll have the space of your dreams in no time. Now that you know all the best tips and tricks for creating the home study room of your dreams, check out our shop! We offer the best deals on beanbags that are sure to make your space comfier and more welcoming. Happy reading!
