‘I love reading in a very deep chair that’s upright enough to concentrate, but still low, deep and high-sided enough to completely sink into,’ says interior designer Hollie Bowden. ‘Great reading chairs envelop you in my opinion.’ Similarly, stylist Sarah Corbett-Winder favours a high-backed wing chair designed by her husband – ‘you can really get your feet up, shut off the world, and indulge in your book’, she explains. Alternatively, built-in window seats and banquettes can be very lovely indeed, as designers Olympia and Ariadne Irving can attest: ‘Our go to reading place at home is our L-shaped banquette in our conservatory. We had the banquette built and added tonnes of big comfy cushions; the corner is the best place to get comfortable and read a book. The room is flooded with light, but also becomes incredibly cosy when it’s raining too.’
Which brings us onto the next ingredient: light. If, like Olympia and Ariadne, you are lucky enough to find space beside a window, then natural light might well suffice during the day (and can be a lot kinder on your eyes). However, if your chosen corner is dark and cosy, or if you’re hoping to read after nightfall, then you will need an artificial light source. Whatever you do, don’t rely on any form of overhead light – not only is this tricky for reading, but it will instantly kill any sense of atmosphere. Instead, look for a table, floor or wall-mounted lamp that will be strong enough to illuminate your page but warm enough to create the right mood. Adjustable lamps, like a classic Anglepoise, can work very well too, especially if your eyes often grow tired at the end of the day. For an awkward spot without any plug sockets nearby, you might like to consider a rechargeable light – but read our expert guide first before making the final call.