Corner Reading Nook Ideas: How a Corner Tent Makes the Most of a Small Room

Most children’s rooms have one corner that does nothing. It collects a laundry basket, a stray beanbag or a pile of soft toys. Yet a corner is already halfway to being a den: two walls give shelter, and all it needs is a roof and a way in.

That’s the idea behind our corner tents. They hang flat against two walls, so they turn that forgotten spot into a cosy reading nook without taking over the floor. Here’s how to plan one, hang it and make it a place your child wants to be.

Why a corner works so well for a reading nook

• It saves space. A freestanding tent needs room on every side. A corner tent uses walls you already have, so it suits box rooms, shared bedrooms and busy playrooms.
• It feels sheltered. With walls behind and fabric above, the nook has a clear inside and outside, which makes it easier to settle down with a book.
• It stays out of the way. Tucked into the corner, it keeps the middle of the room free for play, and there are no legs or poles on the floor to trip over.

Measure your corner first

Our corner tent fits a standard 90° room corner. Before you order, check you have:

• About 92 cm of clear wall along each side of the corner.
• A front edge of around 130 cm, the width across the opening.
• Roughly 195 cm of height from the floor to the top of the tent.

Inside, the top canopy section is about 95 cm high, and the valance edge sits about 100 cm from the floor. Look out for radiators, plug sockets, light switches and skirting heaters, and choose a corner well away from anything warm.

How a corner tent hangs

Each tent comes with the canopy, a support rod and three wall hooks. The tent is wall-mounted at three points, and the hidden rod keeps the canopy in shape. Installation is a job for an adult: check every hook is secure before anyone uses the nook. The corner tents page has a short installation video and step-by-step guide.

The cotton canvas may arrive creased after its journey, so give it a steam or an iron before hanging for the neatest finish.

Five ways to style a corner reading nook

1. Start with a soft floor. A thick rug or a play mat makes the nook comfortable for sitting and lying down. Our cosy accessories include mats and cushions chosen for exactly this.
2. Add cushions you can lean on. Prop a couple of larger cushions against the walls so there’s a backrest for longer stories.
3. Keep books within reach. A low basket or a forward-facing shelf beside the opening lets children choose their own book.
4. Choose gentle light. Warm battery lights outside the tent, or a lamp nearby, are easier on the eyes than a bright overhead light. Keep cables well away.
5. Let them make it theirs. A favourite toy or a garland gives the nook its personality. Our kids reading corner ideas have more layouts to try.

Cushions, rugs, books, toys and lights in our photos are for styling and aren’t included with the tent.

Picking a pattern

The corner tent comes in four patterns: Brown Stripes, Burgundy Circus, Chocolate Brown and Pastel Plaid. All four share the same size, rod and hooks, so the choice is purely about the feel of the room. Warm browns sit easily alongside wooden furniture, while Burgundy Circus and Pastel Plaid add a little more colour.

Corner tent, canopy or teepee?

If you have a free corner, a corner tent gives the most enclosed feel for the least floor space. A cotton canopy hangs from a single ceiling hook and works over a bed or cushion. A cotton teepee stands on its own and can move around the room.

Care and delivery

Spot clean everyday marks. If it needs more, a gentle cold wash and air dry is best. Corner tents are sent directly from our US supplier, with an estimated 10 to 14 days to the UK. Customs, import VAT and carrier fees are prepaid, and UK delivery is free on orders over £50.