I'm a shopping editor and these are the 12 essential buys to create a cozy reading nook for fall
Elevate a reading nook with these 12 brilliantly cozy buys


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1. Best table lamps
2. Best wall lights
3. Best side tables
4. Best armchairs
As the seasons begin to show signs of turning and our thoughts turn toward fall, we need our interiors to work harder to offer cocooning spaces where we can feel cozy. Creating a reading nook is an easy way to achieve this, and with just a few furniture additions, you can turn an unloved corner of your home into a cozy space, or a nook perfect for tucking into your favorite read as the leaves begin to fall outside.
'There is something magical about a reading nook in a home,' says Sarah Brown, director of Sarah Brown Interiors. 'A place where you can cozy up with a good book and take yourself away from the hustle and bustle of family life.
'We like to keep ours dark and atmospheric, with a good light to read by, a low library chair that you can tuck your legs into, and a soft cushion at your back.'
Investing in your cozy corner involves a few furniture essentials, and I've done some searching on the best home decor websites to find the best floor lamp, wall lights, side tables, and armchairs to give that corner a bit of love.
Best floor lamp
Material: Steel and marble base
Price: $509.99
Create a space where the light comes from above with this arched design that will cast a pool of light over your armchair. I like the weathered brass interior of the pendant that brings a golden glow to the living room.
Best wall lights
Material: Brass or steel
Price: $349
This wall sconce comes with a plug that you can tuck neatly behind a bedside table, or desk, and stylishly illuminate any surface. The sconce has a 90-degree swivel and there are a range of colors to pick from. I like it in butterscotch, with a touch of mid-century charm.
Material: Brass
Price: From $461.23
Make your living room look more expensive with this luxurious wall sconce by Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort Signature. With a veined, marble look, the light diffuses, creating a warming and glamorous look on the wall by your armchair.
Best side tables
Material: Hardwood
Price: $298
Handcrafted from tropical hardwood in a sculpted pillar silhouette, this side table offers the perfect perch to rest a drink next to a sofa or armchair. I like the jet black colorway that means without anything placed on it, it still works as a piece of art.
Best armchairs
Materials: Oak or Walnut, Steel, Solid beech, plywood, cold foam, linen, quilt foam
Price: $5,750
With an integrated headrest and incorporated wooden armrests, this is a comfortable piece that also adds wow-factor to any living room. Available with legs in natural oak or walnut and a footrest to perch your feet.
What to buy for a cozy reading nook
'There are some must-haves for a comfy reading nook,' says Anna Burles of award-winning boutique design agency, Run for The Hills. 'An amazingly comfy, cozy armchair or sofa to sink into with a great book is one,' says Anna. 'Great light is essential. Think either daylight (veluxes in lofts are great for this), or a great floor lamp - or both!'
'You also need space for a cuppa, like a side table or a coffee table, and a place where you can store your books.' Think about decoratively placing them on your coffee table in a neat stack, on a shelf on the wall, and I've even seen stacks of books on the floor that look a little quirky.
'A comfortable seat is essential,' adds Daniela Ciarcelluti of Ciarcelluti Mathers Architecture Ltd. 'It could be an armchair, a chaise lounge, or a bench, whatever is more appropriate for the space.'
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Former content editor at Livingetc.com, Oonagh is an expert at spotting the interior trends that are making waves in the design world. She has written a mix of everything from home tours to news, long-form features to design idea pieces, as well as having frequently been featured in the monthly print magazine. She is the go-to for design advice in the home. Previously, she worked on a London property title, producing long-read interiors features, style pages and conducting interviews with a range of famous faces from the UK interiors scene, from Kit Kemp to Robert Kime. In doing so, she has developed a keen interest in London's historical architecture and the city's distinct tastemakers paving the way in the world of interiors.
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