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tartanmeup

Tell me about your home office/library/favourite reading spot

6 years ago

In the process of reorganizing my home office, I've realized I don't have a comfy chair in which to curl up and read a book or magazine. For anyone still reading books, what's your favourite spot to read? Also, does any board (cork or magnetic) in whatever 'home office' space you have get regular use?

Comments (30)

  • 6 years ago

    We have a chair with ottoman in the bedroom that I use for reading or Internet surfing. My home office is also home to the elliptical so it's not a relaxing room at all. Rather than a physical board, I take pictures of notes and things and set up a virtual board on my iPad/iPhone. I'm not doing too many projects these days, so I don't need a physical board, but having one was sure handy in the past.

    tartanmeup thanked Fun2BHere
  • 6 years ago

    I don't read in my office - other than stuff like this online. I read in the living room - the chairs and sofa are all comfy for reading. I don't have any boards in my office - no longer have a need to stick anything up on a board.

    tartanmeup thanked 3katz4me
  • 6 years ago

    Gorgeous room, IdaClaire! Those bookshelves make me swoon and your armchair look very curl up worthy. I think I need a proper armchair....

  • 6 years ago

    Thank you, Tartan! The cats love this room. I think they think we've created it just for them. It's actually one of my favorite places in the house too.




    tartanmeup thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    This is my favorite reading spot:

    tartanmeup thanked jojoco
  • 6 years ago

    I think I'm a bit odd. Okay, I know that I am. I do not curl up in a comfy chair to read. My favorite reading spot is the dining room. Sitting on a wood, un-cushioned, chair with the book on the table. When the weather is good I read on the deck - sitting on the steps not in a chair. I like to sit upright. You will rarely find me leaning back in a chair.

    tartanmeup thanked rosesstink
  • 6 years ago

    Roses, I like reading at the kitchen table, too, on the hard chair. I’ll also sit in my comfy tv chair with my feet up on the ottoman, but sitting up. Probably with the book on a pillow on my lap. I like being in the kitchen, the table looks out the front window and I can see the neighborhood going by, enjoy the beautiful house across the street, and the light is great.

    I still have my big bulletin board in the kitchen! My Monster Grid calendar is on it, and while the calendar and bulletin board are not as full as they used to be when the kids were in school, I still rely on them. I tried moving the calendar to other walls so I could put something nicer looking (or a Hoosier cabinet!) there, but it just works where it is.

    tartanmeup thanked bpath
  • 6 years ago

    I absolutely adore your room, Idaclaire. I can't think of a more cozy place to relax and read a book or play a board game. I have the exact same rug, btw, and I love it!

    tartanmeup thanked User
  • 6 years ago

    Thank you for sharing pics of your cute kitties, @User. I love cats. That room looks so cozy, @jojoco!! @rosesstink, I have fond memories of reading the newspaper on our dining room table growing up. Not odd! :) I read magazines at the kitchen table but that's more of a quick leaf through than actual reading. @bpath, thanks for reminding me that I also appreciate a physical calendar.

  • 6 years ago

    IdaClaire, I just want to fall right into the photograph of your room and live there. With the cats.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Being a family of readers, when we designed this place, we had bookcases built into the kids rooms, and bought nice ones for the MBR, living room, and our study/library. DH and all of his medical ”stuff” quickly took over the study, though. Our living room has become our favorite place to read. During the day it has beautiful views out every window. In the evenings it takes on a warm coziness.


    As for cork or whatever boards, we don’t use them anymore, as they quickly became clutter magnets which drove me crazy.

    tartanmeup thanked LynnNM
  • 6 years ago


    Well, maybe not really the fav, but a favorite patio pic. I usually prefer stretching out on the sofa to read outside.

    tartanmeup thanked martinca_gw sunset zone 24
  • 6 years ago

    I'm still having problems uploading pictures to Houzz.

    My favorite reading place is in bed. I take a couple of time outs in the daytime to rest and read because I need the quiet. On pretty days I sit on the front porch to read.

    We have what I call a book nook in the living room. It's it own little room with a window in the middle wall and bookshelves on each wall. I spent two days re-organizing the books last week. What a chore!

    Lynn, I feel your pain. When my DH semi-retired and started practicing from home, he ended up taking over a bookcase in the back of the LR, (I have to admit, the green law books are awfully pretty) and in the joint "home office" where we have his and her personal computers, he put 5 tall filing cabinets in there. His office isn't big enough for all of the files and law books. We had a bed in our office but it had to go to storage. grrr.

    A few months ago I finally had a spare guest room. I worked hard making it nice. After I came home from the store, guess what? He put a filing cabinet in there. That's when I put my foot down and he removed it. :)



    tartanmeup thanked Oakley
  • 6 years ago

    All those books sound amazing to me, LynnNM! I can see how your living room is your favourite spot to read. What an inviting space, Martinca. I'd love to see your book nook, Oakley. Hope the pic issue resolves soon.

  • 6 years ago

    We have bookcases scattered throughout the house. I read in bed, in a recliner in the living room, in the sunroom, at the counter in kitchen. I read both hardbacks and e-books, mostly from the library as we are temporarily out of book space. Also have my tablet with me for waiting rooms, etc. e-books have also made travel easier as I don't have to take a bunch of books when traveling - running out of book on a trip is not good.

    tartanmeup thanked chessey35
  • 6 years ago

    You all have created some amazing, cozy and comfy looking spaces to read and relax. I wish I had something to share, but I typically read in bed at night and promptly fall asleep. I'm inspired now to create another space for reading that is not in bed.

    tartanmeup thanked rubyclaire
  • 6 years ago

    How’s this for an unstaged pic...just got up from my favorite reading spot at our beach house. This daybed is accessorized by different things at different times: pillows, blankets, reading materials, dogs, snoring humans...



    tartanmeup thanked Sueb20
  • 6 years ago

    My favorite reading spot is at my kitchen table in a wooden chair with arms. It's especially good for my iPad, and when I have a regular book I use my purse as a backstop. It's my favorite part of the house and the light is good until the sun goes down and then I move to my couch.

    I like to look things up when I'm reading, so my laptop is nearby. Always space for a drink or something to eat. My cats love it when I'm reading and join me on the table.

    Anything that's too comfortable will send me to sleep.

    tartanmeup thanked Bunny
  • 6 years ago

    I don't have a place to read. As I stand and read. I vowed to never ever sit again for any length of time after my migraines became better. I have kept to that vow.

    DH loves to read on our sofa in front of the fireplace. He says we need to get the cushions redone. I have to take his word at it as I never sit there :-)

    tartanmeup thanked yeonassky
  • 6 years ago

    I have a number of favorite reading spots...

    my bedroom

    stretched out on the sofa in the library



    tartanmeup thanked Annie Deighnaugh
  • 6 years ago

    Re desk area, we collected a ton of wine corks and DH made me a cute little jig which held them while I cut them in half. I then used it as backsplash material by our bar and desk area...works great for tacking notes to.

    tartanmeup thanked Annie Deighnaugh
  • 6 years ago

    DH's reading chair in his study.

    tartanmeup thanked Annie Deighnaugh
  • 6 years ago

    Bunny, and anyone else needing something to prop up your book or iPad (I do the same Bunny, always look things up while reading!), I highly recommend getting an iPad pillow.

    Figure out exactly how you'll use the pillow before you order one. I have the polka dot universal beanbag pillow because I can shape it in any position I want, especially when laying on my side in bed reading or iPadding. :) It has a slot for a phone too.

    These make great Christmas gifts!

    iPad or book pillow

    tartanmeup thanked Oakley
  • 6 years ago

    I have several favorite reading spots, depending on the weather. Summer reading is done in our sunroom:



    The living room is another favorite spot:



    Lastly, the family room, where my spot is on the lounger of the sectional, closest to the gas fireplace;



    My home office is an alcove behind the sofa. Since retiring last year I rarely use that area.

    tartanmeup thanked Bonnie
  • 6 years ago

    Oakley, my iPad cover is a perfect stand. If I put it on a book, it raises it to the perfect height. The neat thing about using a purse for a book rest is the strap holds down the page corners. But as long as another object is holding most of the weight of the book (some are so heavy), it's good.

    I would read so much faster if it weren't for stopping and looking up a place, a piece of furniture, an historical character, etc.

    tartanmeup thanked Bunny
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Ohhhh, I love seeing cozy places to curl up and read! I’ve showed you my very favorite place, but here are my second and third favorites:

    Out on our front portal, Summer mornings. BTW, this fireplace is indigenous to New Mexico and is called a kiva (KEY- vah) fireplace.



    And always, cozied up at night in bed with a nice cup of hot tea. Ahhhh!



    tartanmeup thanked LynnNM
  • 6 years ago

    In my next life I’m coming back as a book in Annie Deighnaugh’s collection. Just to be able to gaze out at her reading nooks. swoon.

  • 6 years ago

    Aw thanks jojoco!

  • 6 years ago

    I love seeing pics of your reading spots! They all look so cozy and comfy. You're Inspiring me to create a new space for myself.

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