Unused Closet Into Cozy Reading Nook: DIY Tips & Tricks

Transform an unused closet into a cozy reading nook with these simple DIY tips! Perfect for homeschooling families, this step-by-step guide will help you create a comfy space to display books and enjoy reading time together.

When we were right in the middle of the demolition phase of our dining room renovation, the idea of turning the old closet into a cozy book nook hit me. I had been struggling to figure out a great way to actually use the closet in our new dining room.

Rather than just creating more built-in storage, I wanted something to add charm to our space and create a spot in the room that we would actually use regularly.

This reading nook article contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here.

Old closet in homeschool room before we turned it into a reading nook

Closet during demolition phase of our dining room with the doors removed before it was turned into a cozy reading nook

If there’s one thing that we do a lot during our homeschooling days, it is reading together. Whether the kids are spending time reading to me (which they do daily as apart of their reading lessons) or if I’m just reading books aloud to them… we could definitely use a dedicated reading area in our home.

In our old homeschool room we had a reading chair, but it wasn’t big enough for the three of us. And our books were overflowing out of the small bookcase we had in the room.

Before we had the reading nook, we had books stored all around the house…in random bookshelves in the hallway, in our bedrooms, and in just about every cabinet of this house. We moved all over the house when it was time to read together…from my bed to the couch in the living room.

Having a designated space to store all of the books in our home and a place to cuddle up with a good read has been a game changer for our days. I start every single morning here doing my devotionals, usually cuddling with the dog, before the rest of the family wakes up. Throughout the day, I get high-quality one-on-one time with each kiddo in our perfect reading nook. There’s nothing better than snuggling up with a good book, right?

Want to turn an unused closet in your home into a cozy nook for reading too? Here’s how to make the idea come to life!

Step 1: Assess the Closet Space

Measure your closet to determine its potential. Ideally you’ll want to have room to add seating (small sofa or chair) and storage for books so make sure you have plenty of space.
If you have a walk-in closet, you’ll probably have more room to get creative with different cozy spots in your closet nook.
Consider shelving options, lighting, and seating. You could even create your own built-in bench with storage space in the bench seat!
Evaluate if any structural changes are needed (removing doors, adding electrical, etc.).
We opted to remove the closet doors and add an arched opening to our space to create a beautiful focal point. There are lots of ideas to make your reading nook special.

Step 2: Declutter & Clear the Space

Closet with doors removed and archway opening with pile of things laying on the floor before it was converted into a reading nook for kids

The best place to start is with an empty closet. Start by clearing out the closet and donating or repurposing unused items.
Relocate any items from the closet that you still need to other places in your home.
Since we were adding the built-in cabinets to our dining room, I relocated most of the items in the closet to those cabinets after they were finished.
After the closet is cleared out, you’ll have a nice blank canvas for your cozy reading nook.

Step 3: Add Shelving for Books

Reading nook in progress with empty bookshelves before it was filled

You can’t have a reading space without a good place to store all of your favorite books.
Take stock of how many books you’ll need to store in the reading area to figure out what type of shelving to add.
Consider adjustable shelves (or creating more shelves than you need right now) for flexibility as the book collection grows.
There are so many great shelving ideas: floating shelves, book ledges, corner shelves, custom-built units, or store-bought options.
We built these floating bookshelves on each side of the closet to fit perfectly inside the corners all the way from the floor to the ceiling.
We also added a ledge shelf to the back wall to display some of our favorite books. This is also a great place to swap out seasonal books, which we have a lot of.

Step 4: Create Comfortable Seating

Even though a closet is a small space, you don’t have skimp on creating a comfortable place to sit and read. Comfort is key, especially when kids want to linger and enjoy the books.

Reading nook with small convertible sofa with pull out foot rest being pulled out

Perfect small sofa for reading nooks or any other small space with a pull out footrest

We could this small sofa with a pull-out foot rest and it was just the perfect size for our closet reading nook.
There are lots of great ideas for seating: a cushioned bench, floor cushions, bean bags, or a comfy chair. Check out the thrift store or yard sales for affordable options.
Make it comfy and cozy by layering with blankets and throw pillows.

Step 5: Lighting for Ambiance

Woman reading bible sitting on small couch

You’ll, of course, need lighting if you’re going to be reading! Many closet don’t have a light fixture, so you may need to add something.
We didn’t have a light fixture or any outlet in the closet, so we added an outlet when we we redoing the electrical wiring in the dining room renovation. This plug-in light is the perfect solution for the reading space.
To keep the cozy factor in your reading nook, you’ll want to choose soft, warm mood lighting…think string lights, wall sconces, or a even small table lamp if you have the space for it.
The rest of our dining room has brighter lights that can be turned on when needed. But if your closet reading nook isn’t next to more lighting, you may want to opt for adjustable lighting for different reading needs.

Step 6: Personalize the Nook

Cloud wallpaper on the ceiling in a closet with shelves full of books

Add character to your fun reading nook with wall art, rugs, or curtains.
Consider adding something special on the ceiling, like wallpaper. Since the ceiling of the reading nook can’t really be seen from the rest of the room, I wanted to add something unexpected and interesting for the kids to stare at while we read. So we added this cloud pattern peel and stick wallpaper.
Include favorite books or decor that makes the space feel special.
In our reading corner, the floating shelves, ledge shelf and wall sconce light took up all the wall space I had, but I also considered creating a gallery wall with reading themed wall decor, like this vintage girl reading book or this cool kids read books printable.

Step 7: Organize your Books

Organized children's books on bookshelves with little girl sitting in nook and reading a picture book

Sort your books into categories that are easy to access, like by reading level, subject (e.g., science, history), or favorite genres.
Use baskets or labeled bins for smaller books or chapter books. It’s a great way to keep things tidy and ensure the right books are within reach.
We keep picture books all together on one shelf, seasonal books on another shelf (with dividers), our reading curriculum books in another spot, etc.
We have a regular rotation of library books that we check out from our local library. The library books in a special basket so we keep them separate.
Regularly swap out the books on display in your nook to keep things exciting. When a book feels new or forgotten, it sparks interest. We use our small shelf on the wall as a special place for books that get swapped in.

Step 8: Create a Reading Routine

Girl sitting in reading nook in old closet reading a picture book with book shelves in the background

After you’ve created this reading area in your home, you’ve gotta actually use it!
Remember that your children learn best by watching your example. The best way to turn your children into book-lovers is for them to see you enjoying books.
Take a look at your homeschool daily routines and find a time where you can spend time reading aloud with your children. You won’t regret this.
It can help to create a ritual: grab a favorite blanket, make a special warm drink, put on some quiet background music, light a yummy smelling candle and settle in. The routine makes reading time special and consistent.
Introduce fun reading challenges: “Read 5 books this month and pick a special reward” or “Read for 20 minutes a day.”
Display a progress chart in the nook to track how many books the family has read together. This is such a fun way to encourage reading that our kids love.
After reading, use the nook for other quiet activities: journaling, sketching, or even discussing the book.

Conclusion

Old closet turned into a reading nook with archway in sofa

Our closet reading nook has seriously transformed homeschooling routine and adds so much character to our dining room. I think it was the best idea we had during the dining room renovation.

Small sofa in old closet turned into reading nook with wood bookshelves with an archway opening

We have created quite the book collection since we started homeschooling last year. Reading books is definitely one of our favorite parts of homeschooling, so now we have a place to display all of our books and a cozy spot to cuddle and read together.

Homeschooling room with closet behind a reading chair before it was turned into a reading nook after converting the room to a dining room

Dining room with closet turned into a reading space with bookshelves and small couch

What about you? Do you have an unused closet in your home that could be used for a reading nook? Follow these simple steps to create the perfect place for reading in your home.