How to Create a Cozy Reading Nook Surrounded by Plants

Imagine this: a soft chair, a good book, warm lighting, and lush green plants all around you. Sounds perfect, right? A cozy reading nook isn’t just about books — it’s about creating a calming environment that invites you to pause, relax, and recharge.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to design your own plant-filled reading corner, blending comfort, style, and nature to create your new favorite spot in the house.

Why Mix Plants with Your Reading Nook?

Plants make your reading space feel like a retreat.

🌿 Benefits:

  • Boost concentration and focus
  • Reduce stress and mental fatigue
  • Improve indoor air quality
  • Add beauty, texture, and life to your space
  • Encourage quiet, screen-free time

Even just a few potted plants can turn an ordinary chair into a peaceful escape.

Step 1: Pick the Perfect Spot

You don’t need a lot of space — just a corner you can claim for calm.

📍 Ideal locations:

  • Near a sunny window (bonus: natural light for reading and plants)
  • Bedroom corner with a floor lamp
  • Space beside a bookshelf
  • Cozy nook under the stairs or in an unused corner
  • Near a wall where you can hang trailing plants

Make sure it’s a spot you’ll want to spend time in — quiet, cozy, and away from daily distractions.

Step 2: Choose Comfy, Functional Furniture

Your reading chair should be something you actually want to sit in for hours.

🪑 Key items:

  • Plush armchair or papasan chair
  • Soft throw blanket and supportive pillow
  • Small side table for your tea, book, or plant
  • A lamp with warm light for evening reading
  • Optional: A small bookshelf or basket for your current reads

Keep it minimal but inviting — comfort is king here.

Step 3: Layer In the Plants

Now for the fun part — let’s green it up!

🌱 Where to place your plants:

  • Floor plants beside your chair (like snake plant, rubber tree, or monstera)
  • Hanging plants above or behind (pothos, ivy, string of pearls)
  • Shelf plants on a nearby bookcase or wall shelf (ZZ plant, prayer plant, aloe)
  • Tabletop plants on your side table or stool (peace lily, philodendron, succulent)

Tip: Use plant stands to create height variation and visual flow.

Step 4: Choose Plants That Thrive in Your Space

Pick based on light levels and your care routine.

☀️ Bright light nook:

  • Fiddle leaf fig
  • Succulents
  • Snake plant
  • Cacti
  • Herbs (great for aroma too!)

🌥️ Low-light nook:

  • ZZ plant
  • Pothos
  • Calathea
  • Peace lily
  • Spider plant

Don’t forget to rotate plants occasionally for even growth.

Step 5: Add Cozy Touches

Complete the vibe with layers of warmth and personal charm.

🕯️ Extras to include:

  • A candle or essential oil diffuser (lavender, eucalyptus, or sandalwood = pure calm)
  • Soft rug or plush sheepskin underfoot
  • Fairy lights or a salt lamp for mood lighting
  • A journal or sketchbook for reflection
  • A cozy mug for tea, coffee, or cocoa

This is your space — make it feel like you.

Step 6: Make It a Ritual Space

A reading nook can be more than a place to read — it can be your daily retreat.

📖 Use it for:

  • Morning reading and journaling
  • Unwinding with fiction after work
  • Mindful tea breaks
  • Meditating or intention-setting
  • Flipping through your favorite plant book or zine

Even just 10 minutes a day here can help restore your energy and focus.

Your Plant-Filled Peace Corner

You don’t need a huge room or fancy furniture to create a cozy, meaningful space. With a comfy seat, a few favorite books, and a circle of leafy green friends, your reading nook becomes a retreat — a pocket of peace in the middle of everyday life.

So pick your corner, add your plants, and let the calm begin. 📚🌿🛋️