A cozy bedroom has somewhere to sit that isn't the bed.
It sounds like a luxury for big rooms, but it isn't. Most bedrooms have a corner that's doing nothing: the gap between the bed and the window, the space beside a dresser, the angle under a sloped ceiling. A small chair, a floor lamp leaning over it and a blanket over the back turn that dead corner into the best seat in the house.
How much space you actually need
Less than you think:
- Small armchair: about 28 inches wide by 30 inches deep.
- Slipper chair (no arms): as little as 24 inches wide.
- Clearance in front: 18 inches for your legs.
A 3-by-4-foot patch of floor is enough. Measure your corner before you shop, and remember the chair doesn't need to face into the room; angled toward the window is often better.
Choose the right chair
The best reading chair is one you'd want to sit in for an hour:
- A slightly reclined back so you're not sitting bolt upright.
- Arms, if there's room, to rest your elbows while holding a book.
- A seat depth of 20 to 22 inches. Deeper chairs are great for curling up but take more space.
- Soft upholstery: bouclé©, linen, cotton velvet or leather.
Cream bouclé© is used here because it reads light in a small corner.
The lamp that leans over
A reading corner needs a lamp that puts light over your shoulder and onto the page. The best option is an arc floor lamp or a swing-arm floor lamp that can reach over the chair. Place it behind and to one side, so light falls from above and behind.
A brass arc lamp looks elegant and takes up almost no floor space.
Something for the cup and the book
A small side table, a stool or even a stack of books big enough to hold a mug. If there's no room for a table, a clip-on tray or a wall shelf at arm height works.
The blanket over the back
A throw over the chair back is more than decoration. On cool evenings you'll use it. Pick a color that ties the chair to the bed: rust, olive, oatmeal.
Stopping it becoming a clothes pile
Every bedroom chair risks becoming the place where half-worn clothes land. A few tricks:
- Put a hook or valet stand nearby for tomorrow's outfit.
- Keep a book on the seat, so the chair has a job.
- Choose a light-colored chair. Clothes piled on cream look worse, which is surprisingly motivating.
A rug to mark the spot
A small round rug or a sheepskin under the chair defines the corner as its own zone. It also warms your feet.
Wall color helps
The corners in these images are painted a warm moss green, Benjamin Moore Wethersfield Moss. Darker colors make corners feel enclosed and snug, which suits reading. If your walls are light, a single dark print or a tall plant beside the chair gives the corner some weight.
Where to put the reading corner
- By the window: the best daylight for reading.
- Under a sloped ceiling: a chair fits where a bed or dresser can't.
- In a bay window: a built-in bench with cushions.
- At the foot of the bed, facing out, in a large bedroom.
What it costs
- Small armchair: $250 to $900.
- Arc floor lamp: $80 to $300.
- Small side table or stool: $40 to $150.
- Throw and small rug: $80 to $200.
Under $600 for a basic version, more for a designer chair.
Mistakes to avoid
- A chair too big for the corner. Measure first.
- A lamp that shines in your eyes. Light should come from behind.
- No surface for a drink. You'll stop using it.
- Facing a blank wall. Angle it toward the window or into the room.
Bedroom reading corner FAQ
How do I make a reading corner in a small bedroom?
Use a small slipper chair or armchair, an arc floor lamp and a stack of books as a side table. A 3-by-4-foot space is enough.
What lamp is best for reading in bed or a chair?
An arc or swing-arm floor lamp that puts light behind and over your shoulder.
What chair is best for a reading nook?
A comfortable armchair with a slightly reclined back, arms and soft upholstery.
How do I stop my bedroom chair from collecting clothes?
Add a hook or valet stand nearby and give the chair a clear job.
