Interiors | Creating A Literary Inspired Reading Den + Giveaway

After recently talking about how I really want to makeover both Toby’s and Teddy’s bedrooms, I thought I’d delve in a little further and elaborate a little more on the makeover dreams. Pinterest is literally the devil and I could spend hours on there hunting for ideas but I want their dens to be authentic, real and original to them.

I loved reading a good book and my designated area was just my bed. It was my escape and I have great memories of reading amazing books but I want the boys to have that one better. I want them to look around their den and link the books to real things. To act out scenes if they want to. To get into character if they want to.

I have started Toby’s reading den and the first original thing is that it’s collapsible and that we can take it anywhere. It’s literally just a tipi. We got it for him for Christmas last year and he loves it and he and Teddy are always in there when it’s up. But what’s inside? If I could keep it up in a corner of his room, which will happen eventually, this is exactly how I picture it.

Reading Rug

I really love this monochrome, geometric print rug and think it would make a perfect base for what else would be inside. The tipi is grey and this carries on the monochrome theme, but I want to incorporate colours in other ways. So I thought I’d keep it simple and cheerful and this one from Rug and Roll is perfect!

Cushions

These are an amazing way to incorporate so many different things into a reading den. They can bring familiarity, quotes from books, colour and comfort, who wouldn’t want a big bundle of cushions to lay on? Four of my absolute favourites are this lion and polar bear cushion from Kidly, this amazing Roald Dahl Enormous Crocodile cushion from Brewers Home and this Elmer cushion from John Lewis.

The lion and polar bear cushions can be related to characters in book should they ever feature and they’re something you can take with you if you wanted to. I just like it when kids can make a connection with something and I feel that they understand and love the book more if they find it relatable to something they have.

The Elmer cushion brings another dash of colour to the den and who doesn’t love Elmer, right? I think these placed around pillows from the bed make for the perfect pre-bed time cosy up. The Enormous Crocodile cushion is one of my favourites though just because it opens like the page of a book and has a quote from the actual book. It’s super soft, plump and Toby is really loving “snap snaps” at the moment. I love that it’s Roald Dahl themed because he is obviously a childrens’ literary great and it wouldn’t be a reading den without something massively literary inspired. I adored his books as a little girl and I can’t wait to read them to my boys.

Snuggle Blanket

As I tend to read in the evenings I love snuggling up under the duvet, so for the boys I thought it might be nice for them to have their own blankets to snuggle up under. Is there anything cuter than a kid falling asleep while reading a book? I know I’ve done it plenty of times.  The boys each have their own knitted blanket from their Nanny and they’re perfect for popping in the den.

Lights

When I’m reading I love mood lighting. Whether it’s a lamp on in the corner, a candle burning or some fairy lights, I really love it being just light enough to read especially in the evenings. However, for the boys I’d really love these gorgeous string lights round the tipi, or at least around the room for reading. They’re from Cable and Cotton and are just beyond gorgeous. You can pick and mix your own colours, but personally I love a good mix.

Handy Book Holder

Lastly, just to really finish the reading den off, you can’t be without some kind of bookshelf. I don’t want a huge one as there isn’t much room for one, but this little FLISAT one from IKEA is perfect for storing a few of their favourite books and they’re easily rotated with others. It can fit easily inside the reading den or just outside for easy reach, and it’s perfectly cheap enough too!

What would you have in your reading den? Is there something I’m missing, or something you’d add?

If you’re thinking of creating your own reading den then Brewers Home and I have teamed up to offer you one of their Roald Dahl cushions to get you started! They are gorgeous and you can view the full range here. Just enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions

• This competition will open on 27th August and will close on 11th September at 11.59pm
• One winner will be selected at random
• One winner will receive one Roald Dahl cushion of their choice which will not exceed the value of £18
• UK entrants only
• No cash alternative will be offered
• The winners will be announced on Raising the Rings social media outlets, not the blog
• The winners will have 28 days to respond to their winner’s email