Set up a reading nook! and glam it up with Ikea!

Reading nooks are usually set up in the waiting room of dental clinics, paediatric clinics, fashion boutiques etc. It's a really good way to keep the kids occupied as they wait for their turn to be seen at the doctor's or just to keep them entertained while mommy does her shopping!

As for your own home, a nice cosy corner for reading is a good way to inculcate the reading habit among children. Plus it's a good thing to have when little guests come a-visiting!

Just a few simple steps to get you started on setting up your own reading nook.

First & foremost decide on a special area which you would like to designate as the reading nook eg an area in your baby or child's room. Then you need to allocate a sum of money for spending - budget.

If you have most of the items needed, you probably won't be spending a huge amount. Another alternative is to source for pre-loved items.

My dream reading nook would really be an entire room! (but then....it wouldn't be called a nook but rather it would be a library!) Anyway, I've compiled some cute furniture ideas to 'glam up' your reading nook at home. These are all from IKEA (me favourite furniture shop!).

The Ikea PS Lomsk Swivel Chair - is ideal for an older child. With the hood pulled down the chair is a secret hiding place for a child. The fabric lets light in so it is never completely dark under the hood.

Cosy & comfy for quiet reading or even playing 'peek-a-boo' or just for spinning.

Next, you need a sturdy bookshelf to display those books (what's a book nook without its star attraction?). This shelf is from Ikea's Mammut range. Looks plastic-y but it's actually wood. Very solid and perfectly suitable for both books and toys. Place heavier books on the bottom.

 

You might also consider adding a table too although it is not an absolute must. This bright red one is also from Ikea's Mammut range specially designed for children. Easy to maintain & lightweight plastic table. Kids can even use this for coloring or drawing or some fun activity pertaining to the book they read.

To complement the table, add on this Mammut chair. Wow.... you now have a little RED reading nook! This chair is also suitable for an adult to sit - and it's pretty comfortable too - with the back support!

 

Ensure you have adequate lighting for your reading nook. I like this one from Ikea which is a good reading lamp with no-glare light. Comes with a decorative spider's web that serves as a safety cover for small fingers as well. Can also be used without netting as the child grows.

A soft rug would be great as well to cosy up the nook. Again, it's from Ikea. Children can even read lying on the rug or just sitting on the rug. Young babies can be placed on the rug with a cloth book or board book. Get 2 or 3 of these if you have the space.

Last but not least, fill up the nook with lots of books! So many types of books available. Basically the must-haves are board books on a variety of topics, cloth books, touch & feel/lift-the-flap books, pop-up books, even those with music is a whole lot of fun! Invest in picture books & storybooks as well. Your kids will read and re-read his or her favourites and pester you to read to them over and over again everyday.