Brighten Your Library: How to Illuminate Your Reading Space

Reading is a hobby that many of us mean to get into but might not have time for. Much of this may come down to busy lifestyles! But, at the same time, finding a good spot to read in can be tricky. It’s why, in years gone by, there has been a boom in reading nook design ideas shared online.

A reading nook is somewhere that you can use to sit back in and read in peace. Whether you read traditional tomes or e-books, the lighting you use for your space really matters. At Arrow Electrical, we want to ensure you have your pick of the best lighting to dress your nook.

Let’s take a closer glance at why you may wish to set up a reading space and how you can light it for the better.

Why Create Your Own Reading Space?

The more voracious readers amongst you will likely find this easy to answer. A reading space or nook is a spot in your home designed for this specific purpose. Consider it somewhere in between a personal library and a study. It’s somewhere quiet where you can take a book to read without interruption.

As you might imagine, these spaces can be cosy and intimate. As such, it’s crucial to consider elements for nooks such as furniture, elbow room, and storage. However, lighting also plays a massive part in how your reading nook looks and operates. You’re going to need this space to be both comfortable and practical. What’s more, if you are setting up in a bedroom or lounge, there’s an aesthetic balance, too.

As such, you need to consider installing lights that provide you with just enough support to be able to read. Large, overhead ceiling lights only ever go so far by splashing the whole of a room in a glow. Reading lights, built for purpose, offer just enough glow at a precise angle. Therefore, you can see where you are on a page without getting overwhelmed.

Flexible reading lights are a must-buy from a practical perspective. We’ll cover comfort and practicality a little more below. However, it’s worth considering flexible units such as our LA CREU Gloss Wall Lamp. This model offers a dual purpose – gentle illumination through the main bulb, with an adjustable reading light underneath.

Fittings such as these will help you maintain an atmosphere in your space and gain precision. Reading lights are fantastic as they allow us to keep our places in books without distraction from glare or shadows.

Reading nooks can make for highly valuable spaces. It may be a tempting option if you are a keen reader or are likely to need a quiet study space. In households where appliances such as TVs are running at full volume elsewhere, it might be nice to make space!

The way you design your reading nook is your choice. However, consider comfort first.

Consider Your Comfort Levels

Setting up the perfect reading zone for you will revolve around comfort. When you like to sit down with a book, what’s most likely to help you relax? This is important to consider not only for furniture but also for lighting.

For example, while a strong, overhead light may give you extra precision when reading, is it comfortable? You may be the sort of reader who prefers softer lighting. This lighting may even be a little indirect, set up at an angle, washing your reading corner with a glow. You may also consider balancing your nook with natural light – but think what it looks like after dark.

A popular parameter in terms of lighting for reading spaces is flexibility. While you can create a great all-around reading space with a simple wall light, versatility is key. After all, if you are likely to read as the sun goes down, your lighting needs may change. With light pointing in one direction at one moment, you may prefer to change the angle a few minutes later.

As such, opting for a highly flexible and moveable lighting node may be viable for your specific reading needs. Comfortable reading can be made all the easier to achieve with a round switched LED reading light. One of our most popular specialist lighting options, this reading light is easy to adjust.

Simply set the angle as and when you desire – carefully moving the light node when the mood suits. This lighting choice also arrives with a gentle bulb to allow a precise yet never overbearing glow.

Comfort in reading nook lighting, of course, also revolves around temperature. As the sun sets, you’re likely to sway towards warmer light for natural comfort. Be sure to set up lighting in your nook that’s gently warm – cold lighting may feel too clinical.

It’s a great idea to choose LEDs in this regard, too. We provide a wide variety of modern lighting solutions with energy-efficient, warm LEDs as standard. LEDs will provide comfort, warmth, precision, and lower energy bills – an optimal choice.

Balance Style and Function

Of course, when building a reading space or nook into an existing room, aesthetics matter a lot. The style of your space is likely to be dictated by your current design. However, there’s nothing to say that you shouldn’t have a reading nook as a standalone space. When we think about libraries and bookshelves, we think of warm browns, oranges, and classical styles.

Therefore, it stands to reason that you may wish to look for lighting solutions that are either ornate or neutral. In the modern age, achieving functional flexibility is more likely with a neutral lighting setup. Consider choosing a light fitting that’s going to draw little attention. Opt for an open bulb or a flexible node that blends in with the surroundings with a small footprint.

As mentioned, warmth is a must. You should consider warmer bulbs – again, as mentioned – for these nooks. This is a superb way to balance style and function. Warm bulbs above the 2700K marker will work seamlessly with deep-toned furnishings.

However, while cool light may seem clinical, your choice depends on how you wish to use your space. If you are reading for fun or escapism, then a warmer tone is necessary. Cooler tones, however, work better when you need to use such a space for work or study.

Thus, it may be a prudent idea to consider either option. You don’t want to change the bulb every five minutes – so try and strike a balance. You could offset either option with added light from candles or a few furniture touches. As we always suggest, it’s worth playing around with a few ideas before making a firm decision.

Above all, your reading nook should be quiet and uncluttered. That is, of course, apart from books! You’re going to need your reading zone to be a quiet, unassuming and relaxing corner. You want to pick up a book and unwind for a little while!

Therefore, carefully consider flexibility and function – and don’t ignore aesthetics. That said, try and strike a balance – it can be trial and error.

Choose a Lighting Type to Suit You

We’ve talked briefly about reading lights and specialist fittings. However, nothing is stopping you from using lighting styles and setups you might find elsewhere in the home. We want to provide you with as broad and as varied a catalogue as possible! There are a handful of lighting types that may serve you well in a reading nook and elsewhere.

Task lighting, for example, is a great choice. Task lights are built to provide you with enough illumination so you can see what you are doing. These lights tend to be popular in home offices, workshops and studies. They can work well if you are reading for either pleasure or work.

Task lights can provide intensive light depending on your needs. These lighting options can angle down towards you in the form of a standing lamp, for example. They act by directing light towards you and your book and thus casting shadows elsewhere. They are the very definition of function first, in many ways.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t install stylish task lighting, of course, and reading lights are task-focused by design. They are fantastic solutions when you want to fight against eye strain.

Ambient lighting, however, is another viable option to consider. Ambient lights wash spaces with light, creating an all-over glow or atmospheric touches. Therefore, they are not considered as precise or even as targeted as task lighting options. In fact, the leading ceiling lights you’ll find in most UK homes could be considered ambient.

The benefit to these lights lies in the fact that they are often soft and warm. Consider our points regarding comfort. For maximum comfort in your reading nook, you may consider a well-placed spotlight in your ceiling as an option.

Do also consider accent lights, too. Accent lighting is often great for creating focal points but can work well for reading corners. This is especially the case if you aim to set up a reading nook that looks fantastic, too.

Other Tips to Consider

As you can see, there’s plenty to think about when lighting your reading nook. As lighting specialists, we know what works and what doesn’t! When it comes to furnishings and furniture, much of the style and definition will fall to your tastes. However, there are still a few more tips and points to consider when it comes to lighting a fantastic nook.

While we’ve discussed ambient lighting, try not to rely too much on large, overhead illumination. This style of lighting (considered the default option in many rooms) risks you blocking out light or even facing full-on glare. Neither option will be considered comfortable or practical when you simply try to read!

Adequate reading lighting aims to shine on your books – not on you. You should consider whether or not you want to keep your lighting indirect. Purposely designed reading lights directly pinpoint your reading material. However, set up appropriately, a gentle wall light installation could provide enough focus without overpowering you.

For example, our famous Mesmeri Halo Wall Light is an excellent choice for nook setups. This highly contemporary lighting setup is a work of art in itself. Placed enough out of the way to offer a gentle glow, it’s the perfect pick for modern reading zones. Wall lights, in general, don’t have to be off the table – but they need to generate enough light to help you read!

Above all, it’s essential to consider your reading needs before your style wants. Reading lighting is vital to get right, mainly for your eyes! Reading in the dark is nigh on impossible, and with a full glare on your face, you will risk being extremely uncomfortable.

As such, it’s a good idea to practice with your space before installing new lights. Where are you likely to read most frequently? Where does your current lighting miss expectations? Try to fill that need.

Conclusion

Not all homes have reading nooks, but there are plenty of great reasons they should! With appropriate lighting and gentle interior design, you can easily create a warm, relaxing and inviting corner to read in. You don’t have to set up a whole library to relax with a few books. What’s more, getting started is easier than you might think.

Arrow Electrical is here to help you create stunning and super-practical spaces in your home. With a few well-chosen light fittings and fixtures, you could truly transform your space in no time. Please take a look at our more expansive catalogue online for more inspiration, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice.