Yesterday I wrote about creating the perfect sitting space for curling up with a good book, and today I want to give you some tips for getting the most out of this space.  With minimal cost and just a few simple products – including comfy slipper booties! – you can turn your reading nook into a sanctuary of relaxation and luxury.

First, function

Relaxation is largely about having a comfortable place to sit, but it’s also about having an uncluttered space to unwind.  Clearing your area of distractions will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on the task at hand – in this case, relaxing!  If you intend to use your sitting space for reading (as I suggest you do), then you need a good place to stash all your books and magazines.  A nice wicker basket, or even an inexpensive A4 plastic storage box, is all you need to tidy up your materials and keep from drowning in paper.  After all, this is your space – not your books’.

And now, comfort

Once you’ve got things cleaned up, you can focus on making your reading area as comfortable as possible.  Most people assume this means throwing out your old reading chair in favour of an expensive new one, but this most definitely does not need to be the case.  Adorning your chair with a nice blanket and throw pillows is an easy and inexpensive way to add an extra layer of comfort to your sitting area while also making it more appealing to the eye.  Quilted bed throws, in particular, look terrific and are large enough to curl up under for a quick nap.  Pairing one of these throws with a comfy pair of slippers will have you forgetting work and enjoying the solitude of your home in no time.

What’s in your reading space?  Leave a comment and let us know!

Did you know?

Owning a pillow may seem like a no-brainer now, but in Tudor England it was believed only effeminate men and women in labor should use one.

-Jeff O.

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