August 10, 2023 Abigail Singrey

Decorating my reading room

Using a bookish aesthetic to make my sunroom bright and cheerful

Do you want to create the perfect reading room in your home? Reading can be an escape from reality and a great way to relax when the world outside gets too overwhelming. With the right decor, you can turn any room into a cozy space perfect for snuggling up with a good book.

My sunroom has large, built-in bookshelves (which we painted white ourselves as part of a previous project), so it’s the perfect room to convert for reading and writing. But any space can be made cozy with the addition of some carefully selected decor!

Here’s what I’m currently loving:

A tile-inspired coaster on an end table next to a decorative bowl.

Tile-inspired coasters

Every reading session needs a great beverage! I tend towards sparkling water and decaf coffee these days, but I always have a cup of something with me. So I knew I needed to find the perfect coasters for my space.

I’ve been using a navy-blue theme throughout my decor to keep consistency, though my books can be any color they want. I love sourcing decor on Etsy, as I feel like I find more unique things there. When I saw these Damascus tile coasters, I fell in love! I now have them scattered throughout my downstairs.

A decorative plant stand

Since my sunroom has such great lighting and huge picture windows, I knew I wanted to play off that theme and use plants and flowers in my decor. However, every plant I touch dies, so I knew I’d need fake plants. I was looking for an affordable plant stand with a white finish, and I loved this option from Ikea. Filled with fake plants in white decorative pots, it brightens up the room and gives the feeling of a garden inside the room.

Hunt Slonem bunny throw pillows

I’ve loved Hunt Slonem’s bunny artwork for a long time. His famous and very expensive original paintings are on the walls of collectors and celebrities, with one painting featuring in Kris Jenner’s home. A Hunt Slonem painting is out of my budget, but I wanted to have fun with his bunny print in another way. I even considered wallpapering a wall but decided to dip my toe in with these throw pillows. I love how the whimsy of the design pairs with the window seat.

Bookish candles

I buy way too many bookish candles. For me, it’s more about the aesthetics than actually burning them, so the most important thing is the label. I love the look of labels by From the Page. With book-inspired candles and seasonal faves, I’m constantly checking her website to see what’s new.

Art prints that evoke book illustrations

I’m a big fan of how Angie Pickman’s whimsical cut paper work makes me think of magical worlds. It evokes picture book illustrations, and usually includes a hidden detail, such as a raven holding a key. Can’t you just imagine him using that key to unlock a hidden door? For me, this was the perfect piece to put by my bookshelves.

Creating a cozy reading space in your home doesn’t have to be hard. All it takes is a few pillows, plant stands, and candles to create a cozy atmosphere that will inspire you to read and study. And don’t forget the books! As the saying goes, “A room without books is like a body without a soul,” so make the most of your reading space and get cozy today.

Want more bookish shopping inspiration? Find all my faves here.

Abigail Singrey

Abigail Singrey is a storyteller, brand strategist and confirmed bookworm. She's the kind of person who wants to stop and pick up every stray dog by the side of the road and buy every book in Barnes and Noble.