Help With Reading Area Please

[melilley]

I'm going to redo my reading area and am trying to figure out what or how I can make it comfortable and cozy. Right now I have a small couch, an ugly plastic tray thing to put books in, a few fuzzy animals, and the floor is the foam ABC puzzle tiles that I absolutely can't stand. The area is in the back corner of my dc area.

So far I bought the leaf from IKEA that you hang on the wall, which I want to use and, well, that's about it. I am thinking of hanging gutters for bookshelves or somehow building book shelves so they resemble a tree. Has anyone done this? I looked online and it's really expensive to buy one already made, but I think dh would be able to build one.

Also, I want to put something on the floor to replace the foam letter tiles. What would you suggest? I was thinking of getting some type of circle time rug, or a fuzzy rug.

I focus my care on infants/toddlers, up to 3 years old, if that helps. I do child-led, theme based learning and do not want to really look like a preschool home, but still want to look professional/cozy all in one, if that makes sense.

Also, someday, maybe I'm going to have dh (if he agrees) make a loft and that will eventually be the reading area. Has anyone made one, and is it hard?

[MarinaVanessa]

Depending on how big the area is what about bringing a sensory experience into that area and getting a fur rug for the floor? Ikea has a small faux sheepskin rug for $10 (39 3/8 ", Width: 23 5/8 ") or a bigger sheepskin one for $40 (no dimensions on website). You can check your local store for availability (can't order online). Then you can add some pillows and cushions.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30229077/

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70026822/

As far as bookshelves go, my experience is that the children have a harder time putting the books on actual shelves than they do in a bin or those bookshelves that are tiered with either canvas or wooden "pockets". If you like the tree idea what about painting a tree onto the wall and then using gutters and placing them on the trees "branches" at different levels? I checked on the vinyl gutters and I thought that they were a little pricey but Ikea has some spice racks that you can paint (or keep natural) that when installed backwards would make excellent wall-mounted bookshelves.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40070185/

Here's one example:

[melilley]

Thank you MV!
I like the rug idea, I think that's what I'm going to do!

I have seen the spice rack idea and forgot about it, that exact picture actually. I've actually been looking for decent priced wooden letters.

Thank you for the ideas! I'm definitely going to have to go to IKEA, dd needs a desk anyways. That'll give me an excuse to go!

[daycare]

I have the ikea expedite shelf that is 1x5 cubbys. I laid it on its side turning it into a sofa, the books go under it. Let me see if I can get a pic of it.....the kids are sleeping now near it, so I will have to take it after..

I don't have a big place...

[daycare]

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/515169644845542789/

this is not mine, but mine looks just like this......but better...I wish I would have seen this before. I have a huge tree on my wall and the the looks exactly the same, I also have it cushioned on the top. I do not have the baskets, my books are just on the shelf...

[melilley]

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/515169644845542789/


this is not mine, but mine looks just like this......but better...I wish I would have seen this before. I have a huge tree on my wall and the the looks exactly the same, I also have it cushioned on the top. I do not have the baskets, my books are just on the shelf...

This idea is awesome too! Thank you for posting the pic, that was so nice of you!