Once Upon a Bibliophile

As many book worms can, I will read anywhere and everywhere. But as autumn creeps up on us and I begin to spend more time indoors, my reading space becomes less of a place and more of a refuge.

Relaxation and reading go hand in hand, and my reading space has become somewhere that I can retreat to, sparing myself the hustle and bustle of daily life, the stress of school, and distractions. And now, with hundreds of viral DIY ideas taking over the internet, making a low cost but perfect space is easier than ever.

In this post, I’ll be putting together a guide to building your own perfect reading space in just four easy steps, so that you can enjoy that same sense of joy that comes from solitude, comfort, and a cup of tea.

STEP ONE: find the space you want

No two readers read the same. Consider what position you like to read in, what seating you prefer and how warm you like to be. Locate the area in your home where your most likely to be found with a book and think: why here? Is there a corner of a sofa you like to lean against, back support from a certain chair, the view from a window or door? Establishing how and where you like to read is the first step to recreating or adapting that space.

For example, my reading space is centred in my bedroom, around my bed, bookcase and a large armchair. I like to curl up like a cat, elevate my feet, and be surrounded by cushions, pillows and blankets. Vicinity to the bookcase takes priority (obviously) but comfort and versatility takes a close second.

I would advise being close by to things or rooms you frequently use- like the kitchen, bathroom or a radiator.

STEP TWO: lighting

I find lighting to be one of the most important parts of a good reading space. Nothing sets the mood like lights. So whether it’s strings of fairy lights, colour changing LEDs, or cozy lamps, make sure to find suitable lighting for your space, not only for visual reasons, but also to make sure you don’t strain your eyes.

So now that you’ve worked out the basics, lets move on to the fun part…

STEP THREE: aesthetic

Just one search online will bring up a multitude of aesthetics and styles, from gothic to minimalist to cottagecore to kawaii. Apps like Pinterest are the perfect place to find inspiration, and I found loads of niche design ideas on the internet by simple typing in ‘fantasy aesthetic decor’- like the inspiration behind the apothecary kit and wax-sealed wizard’s scrolls decorating my bookcase.

The easiest way to identify the perfect aesthetic for your reading space is to take inspiration from the books you’ll read there. Every popular book has an ‘aesthetic’ online now, with fans spending hours creating boards, art and colour pallets for everything you could dream of. I once even discovered a collection of moodboards for individual characters (in case you want to make a Selwyn Kane inspired room. Just a suggestion).

One easy trick I also got many ideas from is taking note of locations and sets in TV adaptations. Nothing is easier than nabbing ideas from the pros, and though many things seem impossible to recreate at home, you’d be surprised how much you can make with cardboard, PVA glue and some patience. And if it’s a popular franchise, no doubt you can buy most everything from the film on online marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon.

Here’s just a few ideas of aesthetic designs you could try:

1. Lover of crime? Scatter magnifying glasses, letters and old newspapers across a surface and illuminate it with an office lamp
2. Lover of romance? Incorporate a vase of artificial red roses and let a few petals fall, light scented candles and buy or sew heart shaped cushions to decorate your space
3. Lover of academia? Buy preloved textbooks from sites like Word of Books or leatherbound volumes to add interest to your bookcase
4. Lover of historicals? Check out online or physical antique shops and load your surfaces with bits ‘n’ bobs, buy one of those really cool lamps with green shades that I’ve always wanted and use filters to make photographs look vintage.
5. Lover of sci-fi? Use card and tinfoil to create futuristic boards to stick up reading lists, quotes or drawings, and create light up control panels using LED lights and painted cereal boxes.

STEP FOUR: invest in a hooded blanket

because they are happiness incarnate

…

Happy reading!