Reading nooks are such a great way to utilize odd or unused corners of your home.
We had a unique space in our attic that used to be an observatory. It was never used, so Vivi and I decided to turn it into a reading nook.
Here’s a look at where we started.
And what the observatory used to look like before we had it removed…
The back story on the observatory
The observatory was added to our house in the 70s, when we were practically in the country with small trees.
Fast forward 50+ years and we’re in a populated area with lots of tall trees and light pollution. These conditions render an observatory practically useless. We were also tired of having a big white dome on the top of our house, ha.
We moved into our house in 2015, and had the observatory removed when we had our roof re-done in 2021. A friend took the dome to use on his acreage, so we were happy it was going to be given new life.
Oh, we also had the house painted, and it looks so much different now!
Back to our reading nook project
When the roofers removed the observatory dome, we had them simply frame it in for us. We decided to take some white paint we had on hand and add a couple coats to the wood.
Vivi was such a great helper!
We both took turns painting until the area was covered to our liking.
The reading nook as coming together – it’s amazing what some paint can do!
Then Vivi and I added our favorite plug-in fairy lights and tulle we had on hand to the ceiling.
We also decided to use some bulb string lights that we also already had on hand.
To add the fairy lights, we simply used clear tacks, and Vivi did this part mostly on her own.
We used up the whole strand and covered the ceiling to our liking.
And finally, The tulle was tacked on over the LED fairy lights and the reading nook was nearly complete!
The tulle was a step that didn’t make much difference honestly, so you can skip that part if you’d prefer.
We added more items we had on hand – blankets, pillows, and of course, BOOKS!
Vivi loves her observatory turned reading nook, and it’s a favorite hangout spot when her friends come over to play!
I know most people don’t have an observatory (ha), so I wanted to show another reading nook idea.
We have a window seat between two Murphy beds begging to be turned into a little nook. I created this little space when I set up Vivi’s playroom years ago.
I hung some tissue tassels (that I had from Vivi’s nursery in our previous house) and art, and then added pillows. Easy as that!
I made the teepee for Vivi’s first birthday, and is still one of my favorite DIYs eight years later.
And yes, that “book shelf” to the right is actually a door – our house is very unique!
What do you think of our DIY reading nook? Super easy, right? I recommend one for anyone at any age. 🙂
P.S. I’d love for you to follow along on social – Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.
xoxo
Audrey
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