Creating a Book Nook in a Spare Closet

If you have a closet in your playroom, guest room or hallway that you’re not using, you might consider this cute idea: Create a book nook in the area, which is the perfect place for little (or big) ones to sit and read, daydream or even color! Even the tiniest closet will work if you have small children, but older kids and adults will probably need a slightly bigger closet. If you have one the size of a typical kid-bedroom closet, then that would be perfect. Here are some tips on creating your own book nook in a closet:

First remove the door from the closet, then take everything out of the space. This includes the clothing rod, any shelving, and, of course, whatever you have been storing in there. Once it’s out, give everything a good dusting and a wipe down, and paint it something light and cheery. It’s up to you whether you decide to hang some sort of curtain or even a door on your nook. If you’ll be leaving it open, choose colors that complement the rest of the room that the closet is in. Now is also a good time to decide what kind of lighting you would like and to install it, before you put anything else in the nook.

Depending on the size of your closet, you could actually purchase a bench, or you could custom-build one. Building one might be easier than you’d expect: You can start with a sturdy wood shelf, then cover it with upholstered thick foam (like what sofa cushions are made out of), or simply make sure that the wood is smooth and add a handful of throw pillows to make it comfortable. You could also use a flat-topped chest or other piece of furniture. If you are building your bench, make sure that it is anchored to the walls securely. You don’t want an avalanche when someone sits on the bench, after all!

If the closet is wide enough, you can put shelving off to one side. If it’s really wide, you might even be able to fit a bookshelf in there. The shelves will hold books, of course, but they can also hold art supplies, puzzles, quiet toys or whatever else you’d like to keep in your nook. Little ones often find small spaces like this perfect for pretend play, so expect that and provide them with toys that will encourage their creativity.

This isn’t a possibility if the bench is solid at the bottom, but if it’s open, place a big basket or a slide-out shelf underneath. Here, you can keep items that are too tall or heavy to fit on the shelves. You could also keep stuffed animals, throw blankets or other comfort items in this area.

You’ll want to make the space cozy and inviting. If you have made or purchased a solid-color cushion for your bench, some brightly printed throw pillows or a cuddly blanket will liven it up a bit. You could designate a wall for kid-art, and hang some of their masterpieces up for inspiration. You could also put up a high shelf and display some knickknacks or family photos, or maybe a painting or sign that you find particularly endearing. If you want to, put the door back on, or add a tension rod and hang a curtain to provide some privacy.

Setting up a book nook is great for getting kids to settle down and read. It functions as a place where they can “get away from it all,” without leaving the house or getting into mischief. You might even find yourself squeezing in there with a good book to read on occasion. Enjoy!