Creating a Reading Nook

There’s a section of our living room near the built in shelving that I like to call our reading nook. It’s a place for displaying my DIY, decorating, home improvement book collection. A place where I enjoy curling up and flipping through the pages of the latest issue of my favorite home magazines.

Things to consider when creating a reading nook:

Bookshelves or bookcases are a must-have for display and organization. In our home, I use a section of built-ins in the living room.

Comfortable seating. I chose two Nico Accent Chairs by Sauder. I love the sturdiness, traditional design, durable linen fabric and fun print in neutral colors with nailhead trim for completing the look and function in this space.

Lighting: Everyone knows that reading in the dark was bad for our eyes, right? You’ll want to make sure there’s some sort of adequate lighting to provide a bright atmosphere for reading. I currently use a pole lamp but would love to incorporate some wall mounting lighting.

Accessories: A collection of books (and/or magazines) of course,

a warm comfy throw,

a foot stool (I’m still scouring estate and yard sales), coordinating accent pillows

and a few decorative accents that reflect your style.

Everything needed to inspire quiet time and reading. It’s my favorite spot in our living room, a little library corner.

For more design inspiration, check out the Sauder Look Book.

Do you have a designated reading space in your home? Do you have any tips to add for creating a quiet comfortable space?

*This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sauder. The opinions and text are all mine.

 

Craft Room Tour

Have you been following along the Craft Rooms and Spaces series hosted by Angie at Country Chic Cottage? It’s so fun seeing where bloggers create, getting ideas and motivation to maybe initiate some spring cleaning and organization in your own space?

DIY Show Off craft room tour

Thanks to Angie for the invitation to participate! I had no choice but to finally put things away. Here’s my chaotic craft room when I agreed to join the series…

craft room mess before

Yikes!

I’ve made some changes and cleaned things up for your arrival today. Ready for oodles of pics? There’s lots to see!

Craft Room at diyshowoff.com

Looking into the room from the hall (the resin button plaques on the wall are several years old, so no source to list).

Craft Room Tour at diyshowoff.com

One first thing you’ll notice is this room is PACKED full. But when everything is organized and tidy and in it’s place, its a great space for getting creative. The old farmhouse dining room table serves as a great workspace.

diyshowoff craft space

The skirt is sewn into simple custom sized rod pocket panels and attached using tension rods on 3 sides. I’m ready for an updated fabric/pattern but what I really love about the skirt is that it hides even more storage (things not so pretty to display, boxes of supplies and such) under the table. 

DIYShowOff Craft Room

The walls are lined with inexpensive shelving units, some tucked for a perfect fit against the back wall, providing TONS of storage and organization. A string of lights adds a fun festive feel.

DIYShowOff craft room tourdiyshowoff home officecraft room

A small DIY desk area holds our desktop computer, although I’m more inclined to work from my laptop in the living room most days. 

work space at diyshowoff.com

I love the mix of old crates, baskets and vintage finds for storing craft supplies, mason jars for scrap ribbon by color…

diyshowoff craft room storagecraft room organization at diyshowoff.comcraft paint storage at diyshowoff.comcraft room tourstorage for craft roomvintage craft room storage at diyshowoff.comcraft supply storage at diyshowoff.com

I recently added some shelves to the window for plants to bring some “life” to the space. 

diyshowoff craft room

 I love that this window sits low, close to the floor. The shelves add a little privacy (second floor) but still allow for lots of natural light to flood the room.

window plant shelves at diyshowoff.comwindow shelves at diyshowoff.comwindow succulents

I don’t remember where I got the light fixture (maybe Urban Outfitters years ago) but I really like the cage and sometimes clip cards or paint swatches there. 

craft room light fixture at diyshowoff.com

The walls are filled with a mix of fun frames collected over time, some with family photos, others just random art or thrift store finds and continues to grow here and there. 

gallery wall at diyshowoff.comCraft Room photo wall at diyshowoff.comCraft Room gallery wall

Pet Silhouette Art Tutorial

Framed Pet Silhouettes on Burlap

A DIY chalkboard + cork board + burlap message center helps keep ideas and schedules more organized. 

DIY burlap message centerCraft Room message center

A lot going on, right? A LOT of junk which I’ve unsuccessfully tried to downsize but perhaps one day I’ll grasp the truth that if I haven’t used it in 10 years, I probably never will but I’m still waiting for that day to arrive.

Craft Room at diyshowoff.com

Ready to see more craft spaces? Start the tour at here to see Angie’s super organized space. Or if you’re visiting from the creative room at Major Hoff Takes a Wife, welcome friends! I’m so glad you stopped by! Or following along and ready for the next awesome craft room tour on the list? Head over to Homemadeville!

craftroomtourbutton

Eclectic Guest Bedroom Ideas

When I shared our family room and kitchen in the What’s Your Style Series, one style those rooms (and all rooms in my home) share is “eclectic”.

Visiting from the beautiful bedroom at Shabby Love? Welcome, friends!

When you do what you love, specifically on a small budget; thrift stores, flea markets, estate sales, yard sales and Craigs List become favorite sources for unique, eclectic decor. Our guest bedroom is no exception. 

blue orange and gold eclectic guest bedroom at diyshowoff.com blue orange and gold guest room bed at diyshowoff.comblue orange and gold guest room bed at diyshowoff.comguest bedroom at diyshowoff.comeclectic guest room at diyshowoff.com

and a mix of old and new.

mixing old and new - eclectic guest bedroom at diyshowoff.com

Small budget? Wrap a canvas you already own with pretty wrapping paper to freshen up old decor. 

wrapping paper canvas art at diyshowoff.com

Layer the bed with a folded top sheet topped with a throw blanket. Cat optional. 

eclectic guest bedroom at diyshowoff

Eclectic: mismatched furniture, a mix of pattern and colors, collected-over-time gallery wall, DIY accents, a painted floor and flea market finds. 

blue orange gold eclectic guest bedroom at diyshowoff.commixed media gallery wall at diyshowoff.comguest bedroom redo at diyshowoff.comeclectic guest bedroomDIY cat window seat

I’m in the process of planning a re-do on our other guest room/dressing room. Our master bedroom is a disaster since the day we moved in but always seems to get pushed further down the priority list. What’s your style and favorite bedroom in your home?

Posts related to this room/DIY in this bedroom:

diy luggage rack

easy DIY cat window seat

chevron Shape Tape tray

painted dresser tutorial at diyshowoff.com

See more of my style in the DIY Show Off Home Tour.

Ready for some more bedroom inspiration? Check out these bedroom beauties in the What’s Your Style Series:

what's your style series

Ready for a little inspiration to get started on freshening up your bedroom? Check out the giveaway using the widget below to be entered to win a $100 gift card to Online Fabric Store. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway