BookTok Is Inspiring a New Home Design Trend: The Cozy Reading Retreat

If you love to read, #BookTok’s latest trend—a personal reading retreat—might be right up your alley. And with highly anticipated releases like Audrey Niffenegger's Life Out of Order and Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Splintered Harmony arriving this fall, there's no better time to bring it to life.

Complete with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a comfortable chair, soft lighting, and a cozy spot to curl up under a blanket with a pumpkin spice latte, it’ll encourage you to relax, unwind, and get lost in a good book this fall and beyond.

“I'm thrilled about this trend. Reading retreats are practical, cozy, and such a great way to spend time in your home. And best of all, they’re easy to implement,” says Liz Swaminathan, founder and creative director at LSD Studio / Gallery in Austin, TX.

Why reading retreats are taking off

When you add a reading nook to your home, you create an intentional escape from everyday life.

“If you establish a few rules for the space—like no phone or TV use—it becomes a place where your brain can actually shut off from everything else,” says Shandon Barrett, interior designer at Love vs. Design in Washington, UT.

There’s also something really powerful about having a physical space associated with that feeling of calm. 

“Instead of just saying, ‘I should read more,’ you’re designing an environment that motivates you to actually do it,” Barrett explains.

Romina Zamanpour, director of operations at loanDepot in Orange County, CA, agrees. 

“I’m a book nerd, so this trend excites me. It’s the perfect way to unplug from my day-to-day to-do list, never-ending emails, social media, and outside noise. It’s a getaway without actually needing to leave my home, which is arguably the best kind of getaway,” Zamanpour says.

In addition, you don’t need a lot of time, money, or effort to bring a reading retreat to life. In many cases, it can be a great, more affordable alternative to a wine cellar or fancy media room.

How to create your own cozy reading escape

Fortunately, you don’t need to build out an entire room or remodel your home to create a reading retreat. 

To get started, look around for a random, neglected, or underutilized corner. This may be a corner of a bedroom, an awkward space at the end of a hallway, a spot near a window, or even an unused corner of a living room. 

Once you find the ideal space, add a comfortable chair, a small table for your book and coffee, a good lamp, and a cozy throw. 

“Then layer in the things that make the space feel like you—bookshelves, artwork, a rug, pillows, candles, or even wallpaper to make that little area feel more special and intentional,” says Barrett. 

Be sure to prioritize lighting and comfort. 

“A good reading chair and warm, soft lighting can make a greater difference than having a perfectly designed space. And if you can find a spot with natural light during the day, even better,” Barrett adds.

As far as costs are concerned, Swaminathan says you can spend anywhere between a few hundred dollars to thousands, depending on what you have already and how creative you're willing to get.

This is one of those projects where you can spend as much or as little as you want. 

“If your vision includes custom built-ins, professional lighting, electrical work, or other major upgrades, costs can quickly climb into the thousands of dollars. Like any renovation, it all depends on the size and scale you are looking for,” says Zamanpour.

Can a reading nook help sell your home?

Janelle Patton, principal designer and owner at Lark Interiors in Dallas points out that a reading nook is something you create for you, not because you want to sell your home or every home is supposed to have one.

“You’re creating it because you love to read and want a beautiful, comfortable place to do it. We always believe the best homes reflect the people who actually live there, and this is such a perfect example of that,” adds Patton.

It's important to recognize that more often than not, buyers prefer a space they can personalize rather than one that has been designed for a very specific use. However, a thoughtfully designed reading nook can make a home feel warm, inviting, and memorable during showings, ultimately helping it stand out from comparable properties.

"From an ROI perspective, the value often comes less from the reading nook itself and more from the improvements that support it, such as built-in bookshelves, custom millwork, lighting, window seats, or other permanent features that enhance the functionality and character of a space," Zamanpour explains.