The Best Pieces of Reading Nook Furniture for Your Home Library

Creating a cozy reading nook in your home library is like crafting a sanctuary for book lovers. It's a place where you can escape into the pages of your favorite novels, immerse yourself in stories, and let your imagination run wild. To make this haven complete, you'll need the perfect reading nook furniture.

To that end, we've curated a list of our best pieces. Whether your chosen interior decor style is contemporary Arts and Crafts, classic Mission style, rustic, shabby chic, or anything in between, these pieces will transform your reading nook into a literary retreat!

Bookshelves/Bookcases

Bookshelves or bookcases are the heart of any home library, which makes them an essential piece of reading nook furniture. Here at ShopStickley.com, we carry a wide variety of bookshelves and bookcases to choose from.

This walnut bookcase is a particularly handsome example. It is part of our Walnut Grove collection and, as the name suggests, is made from beautifully rounded black walnut. It has three floating shelves and one stationary shelf, for over ten feet of display area.

Additionally, this walnut bookcase features two drawers that can be used for additional storage. It works great as a standalone piece, or you can place two or more of them side-by-side and line your walls, depending on how big a book collection you have!

For those with a substantial collection who would like something more robust in both look and feel, there’s the Origins High Bookcase from our Origins by Stickley Office collection. You’ll find versions available in three heights: the Origins 72-inch High Bookcase, the Origins 60-inch High Bookcase, or the Origins 48-inch High Bookcase. Just as with the Walnut Grove Bookcase, multiples can be bunched along your wall, thanks to their flush tops. In addition to their clean, universal design, these bookcases can be customized in 10 gorgeous finishes to suit your home library’s decor: Clay, Coast, Bay, Bluff, Ember, Dune, Mist, Harvest, Russet, and Ebony.

Looking for something a little more eclectic? Try the Bookshelf Tower from our Mission collection! Inspired by the work of various Arts and Crafts manufacturers, this bookshelf is made of solid oak and features five graduated shelves, keyed tenons, and canted sides. With its unusual shape, it makes a great centerpiece and is an excellent conversation starter. 

Seating

Every home library needs seating, and the pieces that you choose for your reading nook should be supremely comfortable.Since it’s where you’ll be spending most of your time in the room, it’s worth careful consideration. We also offer a wide variety of seating options here at ShopStickley.com, from plush recliners to cozy armchairs.

Our collection of Stressless® recliners is worth a look if you’re in the market for contemporary style and comfort. Introduced in 1971 by Norwegian designer Jens Ekornes, Stressless® recliners are known for their innovative functionality, unmatched comfort, and timeless Scandinavian looks. For a reading nook, we highly recommend the Wing Classic Power Leg & Back Recliner. Available in Paloma Chestnut Leather or Paloma Sand Leather, this recliner comes in medium and large sizes and is a luxurious addition to any home library.

Looking for an armchair that you can sink into, instead? We’ve got you covered there, too! The Stressless® Buckingham High Back Chair is exactly what its name implies: a high-back chair that features a gently curved design and a supple seat that envelops you in comfort. It comes in Paloma Silver Grey or Paloma Sand, with Wenge wood details.

If you’re a fan of the classics and want to furnish your reading nook with an armchair-and-ottoman combo, consider The Leopold's Chair and Ottoman set. Named for our co-founder, Leopold Stickley, the pieces in this set are based on one of his favorite designs, featuring deep tufting, a gently sloped back, and wraparound arms. We suggest two irresistibly warm and inviting leather colors: Rialto Pecan or Rialto Coffee.

Surfaces

In addition to bookcases and seating, you may also want to add side tables or a desk to your home library. They’re great for handling overflow from your bookshelves, allowing you to access your favorite books more easily. You’ll also need a desk if your home library doubles as your office; our selections can help you work in comfort and style.

Let’s start with end and side tables that you can place these next to your reading nook chair. The Walnut Grove End Table matches our Walnut Grove Bookcase perfectly. Beautifully constructed of walnut wood, this end table features tapered legs that are angled to the floor as well as an exposed drawer box that doubles as a shelf.

The Dwyer One-Drawer End Table from our Origins by Stickley collection is a good choice to pair with our Origins bookcases. It’s available in the same 10 finishes and features a low-positioned soft-close drawer for storage, with ample space up top for a stack of your favorite books or a reading lamp, if you prefer.

You’ll also find a wide variety of desk options here on ShopStickley.com. You can complete your Walnut Grove set with a Walnut Grove Desk, which like the rest of the collection is made of solid American black walnut. It exemplifies mid-century modern style with its clean lines and gently tapered legs and features two side-hung, center-guided drawers with finger cutouts for easy access to your supplies and belongings.

Our Origins by Stickley Dwyer Desk Tables, available in 48-inch and 60-inch sizes, are the perfect complement to your Origins bookcases. They’re made out of solid maple and feature clean lines for a contemporary silhouette.

Extras

Proper lighting is crucial for an enjoyable reading experience. We have an entire section dedicated to lamps to help you find the perfect lighting solution for your reading nook.

You can go with a floor lamp placed beside your chair, such as this simple yet elegant Square Base Floor Lamp with Linen Shade from our Mission collection. Alternatively, you can accent your reading nook with this Cross Base Table Lamp with Art Glass Shade, also from our Mission collection.

For the finishing touch, add a cozy blanket and throw pillows to your reading nook, which will make the area feel that much more inviting.

Creating the perfect reading nook in your home library is all about combining comfort and style. With these pieces, the space will become your favorite escape, where you can lose yourself in the pages of a good book for hours on end.