Hey friends! Thank you so much for stopping by to check out our modern reading nook with built in bookshelves. I completely re-did this space over the course of the last six weeks as part of the One Room Challenge.

We started out with this space at the top of our stairs It had a poorly positioned linen closet, lots of yellow paint, dingy carpet, and served no function in our house. If you’re new, here are the posts from the last six weeks, that should get you caught up to now, reveal week!

Reading Nook Before Pics

Reading Nook Mood Board

How to DIY Ikea Built Ins

How to Move a Light Fixture

A Modern Light Fixture

Reading Nook Art and Pillows

We tore down the linen closet, built a laundry closet for a stackable washer and dryer, and then created this built in reading nook using Ikea bookshelves. We also moved the light fixture and installed this amazing modern light. I’ve been loving the trend of buffalo check, and was pumped to find this rug for a bold geometric pop in the space.
All of the pillows for this space came from Minted. I Love the combination of the floral, the marble, and the confetti pillows.

Along with providing pillows for the space, Minted also provided this gorgeous artwork and typography. I just love the pairing of the watercolor with the typography. I also love how the thin black frame looks against the deep green wall.

Speaking of that green wall, if you’ve been following along throughout the challenge you know that it was a final hour decision! Just days ago after finishing the green door for the laundry closet, I decided to carry the same color over to the  nook. I’m so glad I did because I love how it unifies the spaces and adds some bold drama, without making the whole space too dark.Styling these bookshelves was hard, because I need them to be functional, and hold lots of books, but I also wanted them to look pretty. I ended up fitting all of our books on both sides. So that the shelves wouldn’t be overtaken by books, I hid some in the baskets and bins on the shelves.

My good friend Amber from Averie Lane makes custom signs, and created this “Home is the Nicest Word There Is” sign for me. I love that it’s a Laura Ingalls Wilder quote because her books have always been some of my very favorites.

Over on the other side of the built ins I broke up the books by stacking them horizontally and vertically. I love how this green marble tray holds all of the Little Golden Books that were my husband’s when he was little.

I also used quite a few different bookends that I’ve collected over the years. I love that I finally have a place to use bookends! We actually realized that it’s been YEARS since all of our books had been unpacked! It’s nice to have them all at an arm’s reach now.Through the entire challenge I had a green sheet on the twin mattress, but after painting the wall green it was just too much. I ended up grabbing this pale pink jersey sheet and I love how it looks. I’ve used a lot of coral in my home, but never pink! I’m loving the feminine touch! We are about to have another girl around here after all!

I feel like every space needs a good pop of greenery, and this faux fiddle leaf fig is just perfect. I also love that I don’t have to remember to water it! In the first week of the One Room Challenge I painted all of the spindles on our staircase black, and I love how they well they go with all of the black details in the space.
Even though this space is just a hallway passthrough, creating this space was able to give it so much function. Now rather than an eyesore at the top of the stairs, we’ve got a laundry space, book storage, and a place to read as a family. In a pinch it would also work as an additional sleeping space.

This space has already gotten tons of use! It’s inspired all of us to read more. It’s also great to have such a cozy space that we can all sit together in at night.I know that not everyone has an extra space they can convert into a reading nook, but I hope that this post inspired you to look at the unused space in your home and make it your own!

Source List

**Some of the items on this list are affiliate links**

Light Fixture (Lamps Plus)

You are Loved Print & Stormy Sunrise Print (Minted)

Midnight Florals Pillow, Fields Pillow, Modern Marble Pillow (Minted)

Buffalo Check Rug (Overstock- Sold OUT) (Similar one here)

Brass Chains (Target)

Faux Fiddle Leaf Fig

Pink Jersey Sheet (Target)

Metal Wall Art (Target)

Home is the Nicest Word Sign (Averie Lane Boutique)

Paint Color- Benjamin Moore Hidden Falls

I am so thankful to LampsPlus and Minted for sponsoring portions of this space. Without sponsors like these I wouldn’t be able to bring great room makeovers like these to you.