Friday, February 11, 2011

Children's reading nook

With little kiddies in the home, I love the idea of having areas that "invite" reading. My children have a gazillion books; on bookshelves, in bookcases, in bins, in drawers, in stacks...but, the playroom needed a nook that suggested reading. I took a blank wall, hung white photo ledges from Ikea and in 45 minutes created this space. As I was measuring, hanging the ledges and placing the 50+ books, my children were under foot perusing the book selection...a huge hit!
What theory do you subscribe to, books hidden or books in the open?  Have a great weekend! 

39 comments:

Unknown said...

Books in the open, totally! It's a great way to encourage kids into reading. Love what you did, looks fantastic! Xo

Loretta Fontaine (EcoHappy Blog) said...

What a nice display you made! Perfect to browse!

Our kids have almost too many books on the shelves, they just get lost in there and unread. This highlights your books AND the cover art, too!

Loretta

p.s. two giveaways on my blog - come over!

Sarah Rieber said...

Brilliant, like you!! I love it!

Anonymous said...

I love the books displayed openly! So great to encourage a love of reading. One of the things I miss most about having little ones... visiting the library and reading to them! xo

Natalie {Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers} said...

That is such a great idea, Lisa! I have all my son's books on a few bookshelves and in baskets too! When we switch him to a big boy room in a year or so I must do this! I once saw a picture where Kelly Wearstler did a similar thing in her son's room.

and you will definately be able to find pimento cheese served in restaurants here when you visit! It is very prominent down here, I can't believe you have never had it! If you love cheese you will like it!
Have a fabulous weekend!

quintessence said...

Adorable!! Love this as you can imagine. I think it's fabulous that they have their own little lending library where they can reach (most of) their own selections. And as they accumulate more books you could always rotate the selection or each child could have their own shelf. Also a good lesson on putting things back where they belong :-)

Karen said...

Fantastic idea for making use of a small space that may otherwise be neglected decorating wise. Developing a joy for reading is paramount in helping your child achieve in school. You're smart to tempt them with books at every turn.

The enchanted home said...

Great idea, and you have an instant cozy reading corner...love it! Clever and as you said hopefully a space that will continually invite them to sit and read. Very well done.....and I love how, like a library, you can change up the days "featured reads"...you could have a lot of fun with it. Enjoy and enjoy the little kiddies while they are young..it goes by way too fast!

WaterWorks Car Wash said...

An absolutely stellar idea! They look so much more attractive to the kids with the covers showing. Great job!

About Last Weekend said...

What a brilliant idea. I love books out in the open, even though they get really messy, but think they look like little works of art when they're up because the covers are so delightful! Have a wonderful weekend!

Kathysue said...

I think books need to be seen by children and this is a great way to do so. I also like the idea of a special spot to read!! I am a book lover and childrens books are favorites of mine to purchase!!! I have a special area planned for my play room re-do I am really excited about!! Kathysue

Anonymous said...

i love that the books are so colorful and out for easy picking. esp with kids, it's so important to making reading easily accessible!

have a great weekend!

xo,
joAnn

Amber B (Simple Dwellings) said...

Great job! It looks amazing. I love that the books are shown and facing out- the kiddos will remember where they are and to read them!

bluehydrangea said...

Loving this!! I may need to try it in one of my kids rooms!!

Danielle Sigwalt Interiors said...

Books in the open for sure, especially children's books and my all time favorite Jon J Muth. His books are incredibly gorgeous and the stories so inspirational and heartwarming.
Love your kids reading nook and I am sure they adore it too!!!

Unknown said...

Loving your book nook! And of course you hung it yourself...in a million trillion years I could never get this to hang right if I tried my very hardest...your amazing!

The Buzz Blog said...

Books should definitely be displayed and accessible to all - on shelves, in stacks by the bed, in baskets... Nothing like a little reading nook to entice the little ones and yours is wonderful!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

What a great idea. It is so cute.I really like for books to be displayed.I hit a milestone on my blog this past week and I just wanted to Thank You for helping make it possible by you coming to my blog and commenting like you have. Thanks Again!

Kelly Green said...

This looks fantastic - I am thinking of doing this in my older childrens rooms too. I have been tidying and sorting all the old games and they have started plaing with them again becouse they are out of the cupboard! If they can;t see them, they lose interest! Great job. KG

Unknown said...

I have some books out in the open, but most of them are hidden.
I love this whole reading nook idea, you've done an amazing job :). I would have loved this sort of thing when i was a little girl.
Happy Valentine's Day!
*kisses* HH

Shaunna said...

Definitely books in the open. I like to show the books and I've actually created a little corner in our home where I have a wonderful sign from http://www.ramsign.com in the entrance with the text Books and in that corner I've placed some of all the books that the kids have. Books are too good to be hidden :)

Andrika King said...

A wonderful decision. Where is this? Looks like it is next to the fireplace?

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

If they are outta sight, they are outta mind. As crazy as the on going book fair can look at times in my house, I just tell myself an educated mind is much more beautiful! You my dear have achieved greatness here!! XO Kelly

C+SK said...

This looks fabulous (as always!) - and both hidden and showing. If your child has a lot of books, you can also rotate them in the shelves. We also have them by room - some in the bedroom, like bedtime stories - and some in the playroom, like colouring books! :-)

Unknown said...

We love books....and they are....everywhere. Wish I had a space as organized as this. Love what you did and that you did it with such ease.

Happy reading!!!
xoxo Elizabeth

Viera said...

I am pro displaying books.Easy to reach.
X
V

Marianne said...

Love the books displayed. What a wonderful little reading nook. So great!

Unknown said...

love love love love them OPEN to see!!!!!

*kiss kiss*
Erika
~Tiptoe Butterfly~

Design Elements said...

looks fantastic! wonderful job!

Kellie Collis said...

Very well done! Such a brilliant solution to a book cluttered kid's room. Have a lovely day, Kellie xx

pve design said...

What fun to have books open face and covers displayed!
It looks like a wall of fun art....
(Oh, been meaning to let you know the best cheese fondue comes ready packed at Trader Joe's and is so foolproof!)
pve

North of 25A said...

I love this! I am a big fan of books out in the open - part of everything (neatly). What an amazing gift for your children - a special place to read and see their books. Bravo!
Best
Colleen

That Girl in Pearls said...

This is such a sweet set up. I would have died for something like this as a kid.

Love all the work with the kid's spaces lately!

B.

Cici Crib said...

So creative! A great alternative to a conventional bookshelf. Just love it!

Susie @ Maddie G Designs said...

Reading is huge in our house...Maddie loves it. We go in phases with a handful of favorite books and then we move on.....coming back to the favorites after they've had a rest. This would be such a great idea to display her favorites....as she takes great care picking what story she wants before naps and bed. Thanks for the tip!

Stacie Thompson said...

I'm a teacher with a baby on the way and I love this! I'm a HUGE advocate of displaying books "Barnes and Noble" style. It invites kids to read and fosters a love for it. Thank you for NOT jumping on the Nook and Kindle bandwagon for kids books! :)

STYLE'N said...

so cute! I love books out in the open but I admit I like most things hidden. I think books add so much personality to a room.

First House on the Right said...

In the open, without question! Nicolex

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