DIY Cozy Reading Nook!

August 18, 2025

When I moved into my first dorm back in college, I was well-familiar with the feeling of "four walls, but doesn't feel like home."

Back then, I taped paint swatches to the walls, and hung up superhero posters. Added a bit of color. Maybe a little string light.

A girl sits on a yellow comforter in her first dorm room. String lights are around the walls. The caption says: Me in my first dorm in college.

Though as I sit here today, I've learned to value a little bit more of a soft, subtle yet cozy vibe. Something comfortable and warm, which feels just like home- I wanted a cozy corner.

And then a "cozy corner" became my favorite thing. Sometimes life gets so busy it can be hard to organize and keep things super tidy. The entire house feels like a daunting task.

But a corner? I can do a corner.

So today I wanted to walk you through some of my favorite ways to make just one corner of your home feel like your own cozy, unique moment.

A cute heart blanket is draped over a table. A lamp and set of books sit on top of the table: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman. Above the cart, there's a beautiful art print titled Calming Kitchen by Jen Carmiel. It is in a gold frame, and depicts a woman in the kitchen grabbing blue teacups out of the cupboard. A cat sits in the window sill.

Introducing "Cozy" to the Corner

For me, my cozy corner always needs some natural wood grain. The wood grain reminds me of the earth, and any kind of statement piece which can tie me back down to my roots (pun intended, haha), is important to me.

Wood grain can be as simple as a cute coffee table, nightstand, or… a humble cart from Home Goods.

A wooden cart hold several books, and impressionist paintings are printed out and thumb tacked to the wall behind the cart. An expressive abstract painting sits on top of the cart, next to a cozy house plant.

I've had this cart for over two years now. The day I bought it, I didn't even know what I would do with it. (For a few months it held the soap in the bathroom, but shhhhh… we don't have to talk about that.)

But once I moved it into my cozy corner, it genuinely provided me the PERFECT vibes.

A set of books and air diffuser sit on a wooden cart. The books are: Van Gogh's letters to his brother, and the Creative Act by Rick Rubin.

Adding Fabrics = Comfy Forever

I also love adding fabrics.

There's something about a soft blanket or pretty pattern which ties the whole space together. Maybe it's the feeling that I can just grab the soft fabric and drape it over myself while reading a book or watching a feel-good show.

A black kitten is sitting on a white fuzzy blanket. A book is open: Ali Hazelwood Check & Mate. A romance novel, perfect cozy vibes.

Blankets don't only have to be used for comfort (though they certainly can be). Sometimes I like to drape a blanket over a table or other furniture just to... Give the vibes. Y'know how it goes.

Romance book = heart blanket time.

Take a look at this heart, knit blanket from Home Goods.

A black calico cat sits on a window sill next to a cozy corner. There's a pink lamp, pink artwork hanging in a gold frame, and Heartstopper graphic novel by Alice Oseman on the table. On the right, a polaroid displays someone holding Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, about to read.

Doesn't it just make the whole space cozy?

Don't Forget Lighting

Listen. Do not underestimate the power of a cute lamp in a dull room.

I have seen spaces transformed by how lamps affect the environment. In fact, I once dragged my fiance to three different stores just to look at all the lamps.

What can I say? I'm a lighting enthusiast. After all, how are you supposed to read your favorite book without a lamp?

A pink lamp sitting on a table. The table has a cute heart blanket draped on top. A stack of books, Heartstopper by Alice Oseman, lean against the lamp.

This is a lamp I got from Target– It was actually a build-your-own kind of lamp. I picked out the pink piece, and the lampshade separately. The lines of the lampshade introduce a fun texture into the space.

Though as far as where to get lamps, Facebook marketplace will have some good stuff too. Stay resourceful. Reduce, reuse, recycle, as they say.

Art & Decor (Don't Skip This Step)

Last but not least, the perfect decor item. Items, possibly. Plural.

I love to use house plants and paintings/art prints here.

I really do wish I was the type to be able to keep real plants alive...

...but alas.

I've settled for fake house plants. They do the job for me.

A house plant, stack of books, in front of an oil painting. Cozy, comfortable

Now we don't have to resort to Target or Home Goods for artwork… I don't blame you if you resorted to that in the past, but hey. Now we're friends. Now you know better.

No, in this house we invest in art from real, practicing artists. I've linked some of my favorite book corner artwork below.

Check this out: A cute orange kitty sitting on a stack of books. Iconic.

An original art print greeting card. the card is laying with an envelope on top of a white fluffy blanket. The card design is an orange kitty sitting on top of books.

Get the Art Print or Greeting Card Set by clicking the respective links.

This past weekend, I had a customer come into my booth, smiling from ear to ear. She told me that she collected an art print from me the week prior, Kitty Gazing Out the Window, and it's now her favorite thing she has in her home.

You're All Set.

Once you've assembled your cozy elements, now it's time to put it all together!

Some of my favorite extra items are...

A little bin, perhaps, to hold your books? A little bit of rain noise or Stardew Valley music in the background?

Anyway. You get the point. Make it your own, and make it fun.

This evening I'm reading Water Moon- a book I'm only a few chapters into. Here's to hoping it's a good one!

What books have you been reading lately? Leave a comment for your favorite book rec!

Need a Statement Piece?

And if you happen to be needing a statement piece... the Calico Sleepy Kitty is my favorite right now for cat lovers. For the nature-lovers looking for a timeless piece, I love this Blue Bicycle Print.