9 Must-Haves for Creating a Cozy Sitting Area in the Kitchen
Tips for creating a welcoming sitting area that is sure to become a cozy reading nook for your family.
Creating a cozy sitting area in your kitchen may quickly become one of your family’s favorite gathering spots in your home. It doesn’t have to be big, in fact, the cozier the better! Today I’m going to share the welcoming sitting area at the end of our kitchen and tips for creating your own cozy reading nook. I hope this 9 Must-Haves for Creating a Cozy Sitting Area in the Kitchen will find you moving your furniture!
Today’s post is part of a monthly Pinterest Challenge hosted by Cindy at County Road 407. Our group of creative decor bloggers design around a themed photo. If you’re visiting from Sweet Pea, welcome! I’m sure you noticed Paula is a fellow vintage lover like me;)
This month’s theme is a pic of a Cozy Reading Nook, provided by Proverbs 31 Girl. Definitely check out Allie’s transformation of a ho-hum room into a beautiful farmhouse seating area…love it!
Take Notice of the Design Elements in the Inspiration Photo to Begin
In order to use this pic as design inspiration, let’s take notice of the decorating elements used. Here’s what I noticed:
Were these the things that stuck out to you? Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, it’s the perfect place to create a cozy reading nook. It doesn’t have to be big. Our little seating area is only 7′ x 11 1/2′. Cozier is better! Here are the must-haves for creating your own comfy, cozy sitting area. See if you can spot all of these design elements in my cozy kitchen nook!
9 Must-Haves for Creating a Cozy Sitting Area in the Kitchen
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Every Cozy Sitting Area Needs Comfy Furniture
If your reading nook is going to be in your kitchen, chances are you’ll need to use smaller scale furniture. This doesn’t mean you need to skimp on comfort, though. Skinnier arms will mean more seating space, and make sure to find overall dimensions that are more fitting for older homes or apartments.
(rolled arm, comfy furniture; check!)
Have Several Table Surfaces to Place a Drink or Plate
If you’ve got room for a coffee table in your seating area, great. But you may need to tuck in smaller landing spots next to chairs. Vintage suitcases on end, small tea tables, and old crates are perfect landing zones for a cup of coffee or tea and a dessert plate.
(notice the feedsack-inspired elements)
Anchor your Reading Nook on a Comfy Rug
Your toes will be happier with a comfy, soft rug underfoot. Anchor your furniture pieces by placing at least the front two feet on it. Bonus…your family pet will be much happier, too, and will join you while you’re reading!
Have Plenty of Cozy Afghans and Blankets Available
Thrift stores are my favorite places to find inexpensive handmade and vintage afghans and blanket throws. You can swap them up seasonally when you only spend $5-10 each. The cozy, soft knitted or crocheted yarn will put you in the relaxing mood immediately!
Several Squishy Pillows are Definitely Essential
Down pillows are perfect for nestling into a cozy reading spot. Get a couple basic 18″ x 18″ down pillow inserts and then buy seasonal cheap pillow covers online. You can make some of your own, too, to mix and match. I bought some cute, basic feed sack-inspired pillow covers recently, which totally worked with our inspiration pic!
Make Sure You Have Good Task Lighting in your Seating Area
In order to read, you’ll need good task lighting, not just overhead lighting. Small lamps on your side tables will work, but even better is a floor lamp like the inspiration pic has. You could also have a pin-up lamp or sconce that hangs on the wall behind your seating. Our sitting area is lacking in this area; I’ve got a couple vintage floor lamps that need to be re-wired for this spot!
Give your Sitting Area some Aesthetics
To make your cozy spot even more appealing for yourself, your family and guests, definitely have a flickering candle and fresh flowers. They don’t have to be expensive; just a couple fresh clippings from the yard will add so much!
Let your Sitting Area Enjoy a View
Whether your sitting area faces an inside wall or an outside window, create a pretty view or focal point. Yes, you want to read there, but you also want to look up and give your eyes a rest! And what better way than with a pretty vignette. Our inspiration pic seating area is gathered around a pretty mantel. Our home’s cozy kitchen grouping faces our sliding glass door, where nature itself in all it’s seasons is the focal point.
I create a pretty seasonal vignette outside on the deck with patio lights draped across. It’s a beautiful view in the daytime, while I’m standing at the stove, and at nighttime, too. It makes this cozy seating area so much more enjoyable!
Lastly, Make Sure You Have Enough Books!
Yes, you need to have your favorite reading material, whether it’s home decor magazines or the latest book. You may even have your laptop out to do a little work in this cozy spot (like me;). But another way to enjoy books in your reading nook is to decorate with them! Old books are an inexpensive decorating medium that look great so many ways! {See “Decorating with Books 101 and Beyond” and “Decorating with Vintage Books: On the Hunt for Tabs”}
Check out my “Best Books to Add to your Fall Reading List” for my latest reads and bucket list!
Did you see all the inspiration pic design elements we noticed in my kitchen seating area? I think I got most of them covered. Are you starting to think you need a cozy kitchen seating area in your home? Ready to move some furniture around? It will fast become the most popular place in your home, I’m sure!
Hopefully these 9 Must-Haves for Creating a Cozy Sitting Area in the Kitchen inspired you! I can’t wait to see the rest of my friends’ cozy reading nooks! If you’re going in hop order, visit White Arrows Home next; you’re going to love Kristin’s lodge-styled home!
Please Pin, Share, and Enjoy the Rest of the Inspiration!
Pinterest Challenge: Cozy Reading Nook
Sharing at these lovely parties:
The swing that is outside- what is it attached to?
The ceiling of our wraparound porch.
Your reading nook is my favorite! It looks well and happily used – so just by looking you can tell it must be comfy-cozy. Also, you have books! What’s a reading nook without books? Only one other photo has any visible reading material (thank you French Ethereal) but just one posed piece. My ideal nook has multiple books within reach – many people read more than one book at a time. I like having a nice stack of “this is what to read next” handy, too. I also read and enjoyed your “ramble” on cleaning out all the squirreled away treasures. It felt like we were sitting together in your kitchen having a cuppa’. ❤️
Sometimes I really dislike auto correct….. I love you “Reading” nook, not your “trading” nook! Yeesch!
So true…many readers around here with a couple options each! Glad you enjoyed it! Most used spot in the house, I think:)
Lora, I love all the elements in your reading nook! I pinned your main pin (which I always do for everyone in the PC each month); however, I would pin almost ALL of your photos to various boards for you if I could. For some reason, your Pinterest button doesn’t give any choices other than the one photo. Is that on purpose so there isn’t theft, perhaps?? You have great photos and I’d love to share them. <3
Enjoy your pretty sitting area and Happy fall,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Thanks for pinning, Barbara! I guess I didn’t know only the one could be pinned, but I’m happy if it’s the one that’s “optimized”. That’s supposed to be better, I guess. Oh, technology…changing faster than I can keep up with!
I always enjoy reading your posts Lora. You go into great details and tell me things I never thing about. I’d love to have a sitting area in my kitchen. And with a view like that, it would become my favorite place to be. Hope you can get one of those floor lamps rewired. Glad you could join in this month. Thank you!
So glad you always find something helpful, Cindy! Always love joining in!
Great tips for a reading nook, Lora… and the suitcases are such a smart idea. Love that view, as well! Pinned!
Thanks, Julie! I love the view, too:)
Lora, I love the idea of creating a seating area in the kitchen. This is so cozy it make me want to start rearranging furniture and review your “must have list” again. Great being on the PC hop with you! Hugs!
Definitely try it, Michelle! Even if you can only fit in 1 cozy chair; you’ll love it!
The kitchen, what a perfect place to have a cozy area to set and read. Love all your tips, this is the coziest place and pretty too!
Thanks, Marlene! We love it, and hope it inspires others to do the same:)
What a perfect idea to have a comfy reading chair in the kitchen. Yours is perfect and your 9 essentials are spot on. Love the bookcase holding more books to read too. You really have created the perfect spot to sit, relax and enjoy a book or just enjoy some quiet time.
Thanks, Marty! It is indeed the most popular spot in the house:)
Your kitchen reading nook reminds me of my grandparents’ home. In the kitchen my grandmother had two chairs, a bookshelf, and their tv. It was the coziest place to hang out! My kitchen doesn’t have such an area, but if it did, I’d set one up. I loved reading all of your decorating ideas and seeing your vintage.
I’m so glad this brought back good memories of your grandparent’s home, Paula:) Sounds like a wonderful childhood memory. Our kitchen is definitely the heart of the home, and this cozy spot makes it so!
I love your tips! They are right on! And I always love your styling!! I love using luggage as end tables and the way you did it looks so great!! I’ve always loved when people have cozy reading spots in their kitchen. I need to see how to fit one in mine!!!
Thanks, Kristin! Even if it’s one comfy upholstered chair where one of your kids or a guest can chat while you’re cooking, you’ll love it!