How to make your bedroom better for reading

Reading in bed is one of life’s little pleasures, but creating the right setup can make your entire bedroom perfect for indulging in a good book at any hour.

The best part is that you don’t need to spend hundreds to make your bedroom a fantastic spot for reading – £100 or so will do for most upgrades. 

Join us below to discover how to make your bedroom better for reading. 

Comfortable reading furniture 

Your bedroom needs a few comfortable reading spots, such as a welcoming bed, chair, sofa, or chaise lounge if you have the space. 

Most bedrooms can at least accommodate a chair – look at swivel armchairs to adjust your reading spot a bit. Rocking chairs (yes, even nursing chairs) are another top choice for a comfortable reading spot. 

Your bed should also promote comfort; there’s no better way to achieve that than with a padded headboard. Padded headboards give you something soft to sit against and create a thermal barrier between you and the wall. 

Book storage

There’s nothing wrong with stacking your books on a desk or bundling them into your drawer but displaying them can give your bedroom bags of character and promote reading when you might otherwise jump on your smartphone. 

A floor-standing bookshelf is one solution but takes up precious floor space. If you’re short on space, your walls are a better solution – tiered wall shelves will help you separate your book types and organise your reading material.

Another option for out-of-the-way storage is an ottoman bed, which can hide books, clutter, and bedding out of sight.  

Over-door storage pockets are also a useful use of space – just add your books to the pockets and pull them out when you want a good read. 

Pictured: Bedmr Osborne 4FT 6 Double Ottoman Sleigh Bed – Grey. (Available from Bedstar)

Good lighting

Flush spotlights are the best at providing even illumination throughout your bedroom. Put them on dimmer switches and get colour- or temperature-changeable units. You will have customisable main lighting that is perfect for reading and unwinding.

Warmer light (2700-3000K) is more comfortable for reading, but it can make your bedroom feel a bit old-fashioned (hence why temperature-changeable units are a good choice).

We like floor lamps for softer, lighter lighting. You can stick one in the corner of your room and use it as the only indirect light source. 

Adjustable bedside lamps and wall lights at the sides of your bed are also helpful in creating a soft, well-lit environment for reading.

Temperature control

If your bedroom isn’t at an optimal temperature, you won’t want to read in it. 

You can cool your bedroom with a portable air conditioner or use a simple fan to move air around and make your space feel cooler. External solar window film can also slash heat gain in the summer if your window gets direct sun. 

Heating your bedroom is easy with a portable fan heater. Get one with a built-in thermostat and leave it to do its thing. 

Humidity is also worth monitoring if your bedroom backs onto a bathroom or you live in a wet area. Indoor humidity over 70% calls for a dehumidifier.

Snuggly, lovely textures

Hard materials and fabrics that are pleasant to touch and create a warm, fuzzy feeling inside you are the best for reading. 

You could dress your bed with brushed cotton or silk bedding, add knitted throws to your chairs, and decorate your walls with textured wallpaper – all these will give your bedroom a warm, inviting atmosphere for reading.

Wooden surfaces are warmer than metal ones, but fabric surfaces are even better, making an upholstered bed frame an excellent choice.