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Built in DIY Reading Nook Bench in Shiplap Alcove

See how this awkward alcove is transformed into a built-in DIY reading nook bench with storage!! This shiplap alcove with seating will make you want to cozy up and read a great book.

We’ve always been at a loss on what to do with this weird unused space and awkward alcove in our living room. Then we figured it out…DIY reading nook!

Turns out it was originally a fireplace, but at some point in the past the fireplace was removed (along with the chimney and everything else that went along with it). 

We talked about putting in a new fireplace someday but needed to wait until we could budget for it because it’s a pretty expensive thing to add.

So the weird alcove in our living room sat there and held a shelving unit. It didn’t look great, but it didn’t look bad either. So it is one of the projects that got overlooked.

When we were getting ready to move out of our house and into our new fixer upper (see the full tour of the new house here and see all of the before and afters we finished on our first fixer upper here), we knew we needed to fix this weird little alcove. It was bringing down the entire room. The alcove needed a pop of color and was the right place for our favorite reading nook.

Years ago when I saw this cozy farmhouse reading nook on my friend’s blog, Sarah Joy Blog, I knew something like this would be the perfect solution for our weird alcove in the living room. 

We were going to be renting the house out and what better perk for a renter than to add more storage with a built-in diy reading nook bench. So off I went to look at some reading nook ideas

I envisioned a cute farmhouse-style reading nook with a seat that lifted up to provide extra storage for blankets…or extra throw pillows…lots of pillows…or DVDs…really anything that belonged in the living room. 

I knew the shiplap wall feature would be the perfect complement to fit right in with our newly finished shiplap accent wall with plywood in our living room. This is one of my favorite DIY projects and was a real simple solution to make a comfortable place out of this alcove.

DIY Reading Nook: Before Photos of Our Awkward Living Room Alcove

Here’s how the alcove space started before we began building our cozy reading nook. This is the perfect spot for a reading area since its a small space.

The reason we have the concrete backing is that we originally put it up long ago when we were still planning on someday putting back in a fireplace. It is not a necessary part of this tutorial. 

You can build your own DIY reading nook directly on top of your existing drywall. This was a great way to use this alcove to make the perfect reading space

A head-on look at the empty alcove in our living room, the walls lined with incomplete construction concrete backer and wood trim.

This built in reading nook bench tutorial contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t wholeheartedly recommend anyway! Read my full disclosure here.

Supplies for built-in living room DIY reading nook:

How to Create a Built-In Living Room Reading Nook with Shiplap Walls

Step 1: Decide how high you want your built-in reading nook bench.

19” is the approximate height of a standard couch, which is what we used. If you want to add a seat cushion to your reading nook, subtract the cushion height. This is a great idea to make sure your height is at a standard comfortable level

Step 2: Mark the wall for seat height.

Measure and mark your wall for the height of your desired seat. Now, measure the balance, the height from your first mark to the ceiling. 

Divide the height to the ceiling by the width of your shiplap board (remember we made our own shiplap with plywood, you can check out the full tutorial). 

This is how many rows of shiplap you will need to cover the inside of your reading nook.

Logan begins installing the shiplap wall planks on the reading nook walls using a nail gun.

Step 3: Start hanging the shiplap on the wall.

We started at the back wall on the top because we had done the math on how many rows we needed and knew exactly how wide the top row needed to be. 

Alternatively, you could also start on the bottom where your mark is on the wall where the seating will be.

Use a level for the first row. Then check periodically to make sure everything is level as you hang the rest of your shiplap boards.

If needed, rip the final row to the proper gap width for your last row to make it flush with the ceiling (if you started at the bottom) or flush with your mark for the seating (if you started at the top).

Step 4: Start building box storage space opening.

Measure your alcove width. Cut the back panel of your box first. We used plywood for this. We wanted the inside of the box to be finished. 

Alternatively, you could use 2x4s to build the box seat if you wanted.

To cut the larger pieces of plywood, we used a circular saw and clamped down a large level for a guide to make sure things are straight because we didn’t have a table saw. 

Learn more about different types of saws here.

Step 5: Build side panels of the storage box.

Measure the side panels of your alcove against the wall. Subtract 1.5 inches to account for plywood width on the back and trim width.

Cut out the side panels from the plywood.

Attach the side panels to the back of the box. Use a little bit of wood glue and then nail corner joints together with finish nailer

Be sure to use a square to make sure the box is square. You should have a “U” shaped box now.

Logan has finished installing the shiplap walls, and is now installing the frame of the wood storage box - which will also be the bench - in the living room reading nook.
A close up look at the inner corner of the wood storage box frame, nailed into the wall of the living room alcove.

Step 6: Hang the U-shaped box inside the shiplap alcove.

Gently slide your U-shaped box into the alcove.  Use plywood scrap to create spacers to use on the wall behind your plywood box and underneath your shiplap wall if needed. 

Check for level on all sides of the box while you hang.

Find and mark where the studs are on your wall. We used wood screws and drilled them into the wall through the plywood where there were studs.

Note: we left the floor exposed in the box. If you wanted that to be finished off with plywood as well you’d want to put that down before hanging the box.

The reading nook in progress - shiplap walls are installed in the reading nook, and the frame for the storage box/reading bench is finished.

Step 7: Measure and cut the front panel.

Measure the area on the front of the DIY reading nook and cut plywood for the front panel. 

Using a finish nailer on the edges, hang the panel while checking to make sure everything is nice and level. 

Learn the difference between an finish nailer and brad nailer here.

Logan is using a nail gun to install the white trim frame on the front of the storage box/bench in the living room reading nook.

Step 8: Add trim.

We wanted to add trim to the front of the reading nook bench to give it a little more farmhouse charm. We used  3 inch primed trim board for the trim.

Measure and cut your trim pieces. Install with brad nailer and 1 1/4” nails.

Logan installs the lid/bench seat on top of the wooden storage box/bench seat in the living room alcove.

Step 9: Make DIY reading nook bench lid/seat.

Measure your lid to fit on the top of your box. We made our lid about 1/2” deeper than the seat so there is a little lip on the front. This makes it easier to open.

Cut the plywood down to size and set it on top of the box. Slide the lid up to make sure it will open all the way and fit between the shiplap walls. 

Your walls may not be completely straight or flat, so just be sure to double-check this.

Shave lid down to fit opening if necessary.

Logan uses a router on the unpainted wood of the bench seat/storage box in our new living room reading nook.

Step 10. Router front of the lid.

We used a palm router to round the front of the lid to make it look more finished with a rounded edge. This was a great thing and it helps prevent the edge of the plywood from splitting.

Step 11. Fill holes and marks made from nailers.

Your shiplap or box may have gotten bumped or damaged during the installation.  Use wood filler to fill any holes or marks.

We decided to leave our nail holes on the shiplap. It gives the shiplap wall a more rustic wood, like the other shiplap accent wall we have in this room. You could fill all the nail holes if you wanted.

Sand any areas of wood putty for a smooth finish before you start painting.

Applying caulk along the corners of the shiplap wall in the living room alcove reading nook.
A close up look at the line of caulk that runs along the shiplap wall and top of the storage bench.

Step 12: Caulk shiplap wall corners, edges, and ceiling.

Run a thin bead of caulk in the corners of the reading nook bench, where the shiplap meets the ceiling and where the shiplap meets the front trim of the alcove. 

Also, you can add caulk to the inside edges of the trim pieces and where the bench side panels meet the shiplap.

If you’re confused about what type of caulk to use and how to apply it – check out our full article of caulking tips and tricks! 

An in progress look at our new living room reading nook! The shiplap wall and storage bench is installed, and we've started painting all the wood white.
Logan is using a paint roller to paint the shiplap walls of the reading alcove white.

Step 13: Paint the built-in reading nook bench.

We used Snowy Pine by Behr for our reading nook color, which is what the trim color is in our entire home (see more about our whole house color scheme here). 

Alternatively, you could paint the shiplap before you install it if you wanted as well. 

Don’t forget to paint the inside of your storage box too!

Be sure to tape off your floors and use a drop cloth while painting. We painted the trim and edges and corners with a brush and then used a 4-inch roller for the rest.

Also, paint both sides of the lid (not yet attached).

Let everything dry for at least 24 hours before moving on.

Logan installs the lid of the storage bench in the reading alcove, which has been painted all white.

Step 14. Attach the lid to the storage box.

Attach the lid to the box with piano hinge or hardware you purchased. This will allow the seat the be lifted so you can use your box for extra storage.

A look inside our in-progress reading nook - the shiplap walls and storage bench have all been painted white, and the bench lid has been installed - and sits open with hinges exposed.

Step 15: Install soft close hardware (optional).

We purchased this soft close hardware. This helps the seat close slowly and not slam shut, which is nice so you don’t have to worry about fingers.  

If you decided to use these, install one on each corner of the lid inside of the storage box.

Our living room reading nook as a convenient storage bench with a lid that lefts up for extra storage.

Do you want a seat cushion for the farmhouse style reading nook?

You could check out this Etsy store, they make bench seat cushions in custom sizes.

A look at our completed living room reading nook, made in an alcove in our living room - white shiplap walls with a bench for seating.

It was easy to transform this alcove into a built-in perfect reading nook bench with storage. 

Our tutorial on how to create a shiplap wall with plywood will give you the foundation you need to save you some money on the shiplap component. 

The seat portion of the shiplap alcove was simply built with plywood and some extra trim pieces for added farmhouse character. 

The piano hinge allows the seat to be lifted easily and is a great place for storage. I just love the soft close hinges that help the seat not to slam shut (I kept imagining fingers getting slammed shut in the seat…ouch!!).

A look at our finished living room reading nook! We transformed an alcove in our living room into a reading nook with white shiplap walls and a built in bench seat with extra storage underneath

It was so fun to watch this built-in simple reading nook bench come to life! This is the perfect place to sit down in a quiet space and read all your favorite books

The extra storage is surely appreciated by the renters and I can see this space getting used a lot in the winter months with a warm cup of coffee and a blanket. 

I love the farmhouse charm that this perfect reading nook added to our home and the cozy spot it now is. 

It really made a weird and awkward little alcove turn into a cozy space that is useful and looks like it belongs with the rest of the home.

I can’t wait to sit down with a cozy blanket and get in some good reading time and make some fond memories before its time for our new fixer upper.

Before and after: how to turn an empty alcove into a living room reading nook with shiplap walls and bench.

What good book would you want to read in a farmhouse style reading nook like this??

Let me know in the comments below!!

Side by side before and after photos of the empty living room alcove and completed reading nook with white shiplap walls and built-in reading bench.
Side by side before and after photos showing our empty living room alcove, and our completed farmhouse style reading nook with white shiplap walls and a cozy bench.
Side by side photos of a transformed empty alcove into a farmhouse style reading nook with shiplap walls.
How To Make A Built In Reading Nook Bench With Storage

How To Make A Built In Reading Nook Bench With Storage

Yield: 1
Active Time: 2 days
Total Time: 2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $130

Learn how we transformed an awkward, empty alcove into a cozy farmhouse-style reading nook in our living room. Step by step tutorial on how to install shiplap walls and a bench with built-in storage.

Instructions

  1. Decide how high you want your reading nook bench.
  2. Mark wall for seat height.
  3. Start hanging shiplap on wall.
  4. Start building box storage opening.
  5. Build side panels of storage box.
  6. Hang up shaped box inside reading nook.
  7. Measure and cut the front panel.
  8. Add trim.
  9. Make storage box lid/seat
  10. Router front of lid.
  11. Fill holes and marks made from nailers.
  12. Caulk shiplap wall corners, edges and ceiling.
  13. Paint farmhouse style reading nook.
  14. Attach lid to storage box.
  15. Install soft close hardware (optional).

5 thoughts on “Built in DIY Reading Nook Bench in Shiplap Alcove

    1. We opted not to add any shelving because we wanted a very clean look to the backdrop of the alcove with the shiplap. We thought the shelves might make it feel too small in there to use as a reading nook. 🙂 If you were recreating this, you totally could easily add shelves !

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