23 Kids Reading Corner Ideas They’ll Love

My son would not sit still for a story until I gave him a corner that was his, so I built a reading spot from a bean bag, a low shelf, and a string of fairy lights. Now he asks for one more chapter every night, and these Kids Reading Corner Ideas They’ll Love are the ideas that made that happen. Nothing here needs a big room or a big budget, just a corner, some cushions, and books within reach. (see also: kids-bedroom-ideas-budget) (see also: small-space-kids-room) Save this idea for the next rainy weekend, because a reading corner is the cheapest habit you can build.

1. Bean Bag Chair Tucked into a Sunny Corner

Bean Bag Chair Tucked into a Sunny Corner is the kind of project I do on a Sunday afternoon when the kids want to help. First, put the main piece in place and live with it for a day. Next, add one small finishing touch so it looks finished on purpose. Finally, clear the spot and measure it twice before you buy anything. I made the mistake of buying the fancy supplies first, then found the same result with the cheaper version and never went back. The best part is that nothing here needs special tools, just patience and a free hour. Keep the colours to two or three so the room stays calm instead of busy.

Cost: ~$15 | Time: 61 minutes

2. Low Forward-Facing Bookshelf They Can Reach

For a room that needs colour fast, Low Forward-Facing Bookshelf They Can Reach delivers without a big shop. Start with put the everyday toys at arm’s reach and the rest up higher. Then empty the spot first and sort out what actually gets used each week. Finish by label each bin with a picture as well as a word for younger kids. My son helped with this one and his wobbly lines are still my favourite part of the wall. I check it after a week and move anything that looks off, because small tweaks beat starting over. Let your child pick one small part, like the colour or the spot, and they will love it more.

Cost: ~$20 | Time: 74 minutes

3. Fairy Lights Strung Along the Reading Wall

Fairy Lights Strung Along the Reading Wall is one of those ideas that looks shop-bought once it is up, but it starts with cheap supplies and a free afternoon. First, test the lights on the floor first and check that every bulb works. Next, fix them with small clear clips so no wire hangs loose. Finally, plug them into a timer so they switch off on their own at bedtime. The first try looked too busy, so I took two pieces off and it finally felt calm. If a piece gets damaged, you can remake just that bit in ten minutes.

Cost: ~$3 | Time: 87 minutes

4. Floor Cushions Piled for Sprawling Reads

I like Floor Cushions Piled for Sprawling Reads because it uses things you probably already have and it changes the whole feel of the room. Start by pin the edges and sew a straight seam, then turn it right side out. Then press it flat with an iron before you hang or place it. Once that is done, cut the fabric a little larger than you need so the seams stay hidden. I hung this too high the first time and my daughter could not reach it, so now I check everything at her eye level. The trick is to keep it simple and stop while it still looks fresh. It works best when you stop at good enough instead of chasing perfect.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 25 minutes

Pro tip: Do this step in daylight so you can see the true colour before it dries darker.

5. Canopy Tent Draped Over the Corner

Canopy Tent Draped Over the Corner works well in a small room because it adds colour without taking up floor space. First, press it flat with an iron before you hang or place it. Next, cut the fabric a little larger than you need so the seams stay hidden. Finally, pin the edges and sew a straight seam, then turn it right side out. I almost skipped this idea because it sounded fiddly, but it turned out to be the easiest one on the list. I keep coming back to this one because it is easy to redo when tastes change. Keep the colours to two or three so the room stays calm instead of busy.

Cost: ~$13 | Time: 38 minutes

6. Small Side Table for a Drink and a Book

If a corner of the room looks bare, Small Side Table for a Drink and a Book is a cheap fix that takes less than an hour. Begin by clear the spot and measure it twice before you buy anything. After that, put the main piece in place and live with it for a day. To finish, add one small finishing touch so it looks finished on purpose. I made the mistake of buying the fancy supplies first, then found the same result with the cheaper version and never went back. Let your child pick one small part, like the colour or the spot, and they will love it more.

Cost: ~$18 | Time: 51 minutes

7. Wall-Mounted Book Ledges at Kid Height

Wall-Mounted Book Ledges at Kid Height is the kind of project I do on a Sunday afternoon when the kids want to help. First, fix a small hook or a Command strip rated for the weight. Next, step back and check it from the doorway before you press it firm. Finally, hold the piece up and mark the spot with a pencil at your child’s eye level. My son helped with this one and his wobbly lines are still my favourite part of the wall. The best part is that nothing here needs special tools, just patience and a free hour. If a piece gets damaged, you can remake just that bit in ten minutes.

Cost: ~$23 | Time: 64 minutes

8. Soft Rug That Marks the Reading Spot

For a room that needs colour fast, Soft Rug That Marks the Reading Spot delivers without a big shop. Start with press it flat with an iron before you hang or place it. Then cut the fabric a little larger than you need so the seams stay hidden. Finish by pin the edges and sew a straight seam, then turn it right side out. The first try looked too busy, so I took two pieces off and it finally felt calm. I check it after a week and move anything that looks off, because small tweaks beat starting over. It works best when you stop at good enough instead of chasing perfect.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 77 minutes

Pro tip: Let your child choose between two colours, not ten, so the decision stays fun instead of stressful.

9. Clip-On Reading Lamp for Evening Stories

Clip-On Reading Lamp for Evening Stories is one of those ideas that looks shop-bought once it is up, but it starts with cheap supplies and a free afternoon. First, test the lights on the floor first and check that every bulb works. Next, fix them with small clear clips so no wire hangs loose. Finally, plug them into a timer so they switch off on their own at bedtime. I hung this too high the first time and my daughter could not reach it, so now I check everything at her eye level. Keep the colours to two or three so the room stays calm instead of busy.

Cost: ~$11 | Time: 15 minutes

10. Basket of Favourite Books by the Chair

I like Basket of Favourite Books by the Chair because it uses things you probably already have and it changes the whole feel of the room. Start by label each bin with a picture as well as a word for younger kids. Then put the everyday toys at arm’s reach and the rest up higher. Once that is done, empty the spot first and sort out what actually gets used each week. I almost skipped this idea because it sounded fiddly, but it turned out to be the easiest one on the list. The trick is to keep it simple and stop while it still looks fresh. Let your child pick one small part, like the colour or the spot, and they will love it more.

Cost: ~$16 | Time: 28 minutes

11. Painted Rainbow Mural Behind the Books

Painted Rainbow Mural Behind the Books works well in a small room because it adds colour without taking up floor space. First, peel the tape while the last coat is still slightly tacky for a clean edge. Next, tape off the edges with painter’s tape and lay newspaper underneath. Finally, paint two thin coats and let each one dry fully before the next. I made the mistake of buying the fancy supplies first, then found the same result with the cheaper version and never went back. I keep coming back to this one because it is easy to redo when tastes change. If a piece gets damaged, you can remake just that bit in ten minutes.

Cost: ~$21 | Time: 41 minutes

12. Hanging Pocket Organiser for Thin Books

If a corner of the room looks bare, Hanging Pocket Organiser for Thin Books is a cheap fix that takes less than an hour. Begin by empty the spot first and sort out what actually gets used each week. After that, label each bin with a picture as well as a word for younger kids. To finish, put the everyday toys at arm’s reach and the rest up higher. My son helped with this one and his wobbly lines are still my favourite part of the wall. It works best when you stop at good enough instead of chasing perfect.

Cost: ~$4 | Time: 54 minutes

Pro tip: Buy the smallest pack first and test the colour on a hidden spot before you commit to the whole wall.

13. Teepee Tent with a String of Lights

Teepee Tent with a String of Lights is the kind of project I do on a Sunday afternoon when the kids want to help. First, fix them with small clear clips so no wire hangs loose. Next, plug them into a timer so they switch off on their own at bedtime. Finally, test the lights on the floor first and check that every bulb works. The first try looked too busy, so I took two pieces off and it finally felt calm. The best part is that nothing here needs special tools, just patience and a free hour. Keep the colours to two or three so the room stays calm instead of busy.

Cost: ~$9 | Time: 67 minutes

14. Personalised Book Box with Their Name

For a room that needs colour fast, Personalised Book Box with Their Name delivers without a big shop. Start with put the everyday toys at arm’s reach and the rest up higher. Then empty the spot first and sort out what actually gets used each week. Finish by label each bin with a picture as well as a word for younger kids. I hung this too high the first time and my daughter could not reach it, so now I check everything at her eye level. I check it after a week and move anything that looks off, because small tweaks beat starting over. Let your child pick one small part, like the colour or the spot, and they will love it more.

Cost: ~$14 | Time: 80 minutes

15. Curtain Panel to Make a Cosy Hideaway

Curtain Panel to Make a Cosy Hideaway is one of those ideas that looks shop-bought once it is up, but it starts with cheap supplies and a free afternoon. First, cut the fabric a little larger than you need so the seams stay hidden. Next, pin the edges and sew a straight seam, then turn it right side out. Finally, press it flat with an iron before you hang or place it. I almost skipped this idea because it sounded fiddly, but it turned out to be the easiest one on the list. If a piece gets damaged, you can remake just that bit in ten minutes.

Cost: ~$19 | Time: 18 minutes

16. Rotating Book Display on a Lazy Susan

I like Rotating Book Display on a Lazy Susan because it uses things you probably already have and it changes the whole feel of the room. Start by put the main piece in place and live with it for a day. Then add one small finishing touch so it looks finished on purpose. Once that is done, clear the spot and measure it twice before you buy anything. I made the mistake of buying the fancy supplies first, then found the same result with the cheaper version and never went back. The trick is to keep it simple and stop while it still looks fresh. It works best when you stop at good enough instead of chasing perfect.

Cost: ~$24 | Time: 31 minutes

Pro tip: Take a photo before you start so you can see how far the room has come.

17. Stuffed Animal Reading Buddies on a Shelf

Stuffed Animal Reading Buddies on a Shelf works well in a small room because it adds colour without taking up floor space. First, put the everyday toys at arm’s reach and the rest up higher. Next, empty the spot first and sort out what actually gets used each week. Finally, label each bin with a picture as well as a word for younger kids. My son helped with this one and his wobbly lines are still my favourite part of the wall. I keep coming back to this one because it is easy to redo when tastes change. Keep the colours to two or three so the room stays calm instead of busy.

Cost: ~$7 | Time: 44 minutes

18. Chalkboard Sign That Says Todays Pick

If a corner of the room looks bare, Chalkboard Sign That Says Todays Pick is a cheap fix that takes less than an hour. Begin by clear the spot and measure it twice before you buy anything. After that, put the main piece in place and live with it for a day. To finish, add one small finishing touch so it looks finished on purpose. The first try looked too busy, so I took two pieces off and it finally felt calm. Let your child pick one small part, like the colour or the spot, and they will love it more.

Cost: ~$12 | Time: 57 minutes

19. Window Seat Cushions for Daylight Reading

Window Seat Cushions for Daylight Reading is the kind of project I do on a Sunday afternoon when the kids want to help. First, fix them with small clear clips so no wire hangs loose. Next, plug them into a timer so they switch off on their own at bedtime. Finally, test the lights on the floor first and check that every bulb works. I hung this too high the first time and my daughter could not reach it, so now I check everything at her eye level. The best part is that nothing here needs special tools, just patience and a free hour. If a piece gets damaged, you can remake just that bit in ten minutes.

Cost: ~$17 | Time: 70 minutes

20. DIY Bookmarks Jar on the Side Table

For a room that needs colour fast, DIY Bookmarks Jar on the Side Table delivers without a big shop. Start with add one small finishing touch so it looks finished on purpose. Then clear the spot and measure it twice before you buy anything. Finish by put the main piece in place and live with it for a day. I almost skipped this idea because it sounded fiddly, but it turned out to be the easiest one on the list. I check it after a week and move anything that looks off, because small tweaks beat starting over. It works best when you stop at good enough instead of chasing perfect.

Cost: ~$22 | Time: 83 minutes

Pro tip: Keep spare pieces in a labelled bag, because small repairs are much easier with the same materials.

21. Soft Throw Blanket Folded Over the Chair

Soft Throw Blanket Folded Over the Chair is one of those ideas that looks shop-bought once it is up, but it starts with cheap supplies and a free afternoon. First, cut the fabric a little larger than you need so the seams stay hidden. Next, pin the edges and sew a straight seam, then turn it right side out. Finally, press it flat with an iron before you hang or place it. I made the mistake of buying the fancy supplies first, then found the same result with the cheaper version and never went back. Keep the colours to two or three so the room stays calm instead of busy.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 21 minutes

22. Wall Decals of Open Books and Stars

I like Wall Decals of Open Books and Stars because it uses things you probably already have and it changes the whole feel of the room. Start by lay the pieces out on the floor first to get the spacing right. Then stick them up with removable dots so you can move them later. Once that is done, cut the shapes on a flat table with sharp scissors so the edges stay clean. My son helped with this one and his wobbly lines are still my favourite part of the wall. The trick is to keep it simple and stop while it still looks fresh. Let your child pick one small part, like the colour or the spot, and they will love it more.

Cost: ~$10 | Time: 34 minutes

23. Reading Log Chart Pinned to the Wall

Reading Log Chart Pinned to the Wall works well in a small room because it adds colour without taking up floor space. First, add one small finishing touch so it looks finished on purpose. Next, clear the spot and measure it twice before you buy anything. Finally, put the main piece in place and live with it for a day. The first try looked too busy, so I took two pieces off and it finally felt calm. I keep coming back to this one because it is easy to redo when tastes change. If a piece gets damaged, you can remake just that bit in ten minutes.

Cost: ~$15 | Time: 47 minutes