How to Create the Ultimate Reading Nook for your Kids

Whether your child is discovering picture books for the first time or flying through chapter novels, giving them a dedicated reading space can help build focus, creativity and a lifelong love of books. And it doesn’t take a full home makeover to do it! Just a little thought, the right atmosphere, and a seriously comfy bean bag chair.

At Icon, we believe comfort and calm go hand in hand. That’s why our children’s bean bags are made to create spaces that feel safe, soft, and perfect for slowing down (even if it’s only for a chapter or two)

Here’s how to create the ultimate kids’ reading nook using bean bags and soft furnishings that work beautifully with your home and their imagination.

Start With the Right Seat

A comfy seat is the heart of any reading nook. It needs to be soft, supportive, and just the right size for curling up with a book. A bean bag offers everything traditional seating doesn’t: comfort, flexibility, and movement-friendly lounging.
Best picks from our Kids bean bag collection:

Kids Kingston Faux Rabbit Fur Bean Bag
- Soft-as-a-cloud texture for little readers who love to snuggle
Animal Shaped Loungers (Dinosaur Sage, Rabbit Pink, Bear Brown, Elephant Grey)
- Doubles as a cosy seat and an imaginative friend
Football Corduroy Bean Bag
- Great for sporty kids who like to kick back with a comic book after playtime

Choosing a seat that’s lightweight, like our bean bags, so they can move it between rooms or find their favourite sun spot.

Create Calm With a Defined Space

Children thrive with visual cues, so define their reading nook with simple markers that say “this space is for slowing down.”
Ideas include:

A corner tent or fabric canopy for cosy vibes
A soft rug or floor cushion underneath their bean bag
A small side table or low shelf for easy-access to favourite books

Low lighting, fairy lights or a warm reading lamp will help build the right mood, without distractions.

Add Soft Touches for Focus and Comfort

Layer up with soft furnishings to make the space even more inviting:

Chunky knit throws for warmth
Cushions in playful prints to lean against or hug
Tactile textures like faux fur or corduroy that feel as good as they look

Not only do these pieces encourage longer reading sessions, they also help children associate reading with relaxation — not homework or screen-free rules.
It’s all about creating a space that feels like theirs — not just another corner of the room.

Keep It Tidy (and Easy to Reset)

Reading nooks should be low-maintenance, especially if they’re doubling up as play spaces. Keep organisation simple with:

A basket for books and blankets
A wall hook for headphones or bean bag accessories
A writable chalkboard wall or mini peg board to track their reading list

Bonus: All icon kids’ bean bags are easy to wipe clean and built to handle real-life mess.

Scale It to Your Home, Big or Small

The beauty of a bean bag-based reading nook? It works anywhere:

Under the stairs
Beside a window
In a bedroom corner
At the foot of a bed

All icon bean bags are lightweight and flexible, so they can move as your child’s needs (and furniture layout) change.

Why icon Bean Bags Are Perfect for Reading Corners

✔️ Ergonomic support for relaxed posture during long reads

✔️ Soft-touch fabrics like faux rabbit fur, fleece and corduroy

✔️ Styles and colours that suit every space, from pastel nurseries to bold bedrooms

✔️ Durable fill and stitching made to last through story time and beyond

✔️ Lightweight designs kids can move themselves, empowering them and their increasing independence

The Perfect Reading Corner

A great reading nook isn’t just about books, it’s about creating a soft, safe space where your child wants to slow down, stretch out, and get lost in their imagination.
With a little thought and the right Icon bean bag, you can turn any corner into a comforting, creativity-boosting reading retreat that fits seamlessly into your home.

Shop icon’s Kids Bean Bags and start building the perfect reading nook your child will love, today and for years to come.