HOW TO CREATE A READING NOOK WITH LIMITED SPACE

Apart from Shirley and Audrey, the cats from hell heaven, I live completely on my own. I do as I please, come and go when I want and decorate exactly how I see fit. Living alone also means I can lay back on the sofa or crash diagonally across my bed when I need to just take a break from the world. But I know this isn't the case for everyone - not everyone has that little space they can just call their own in their home, without the kids climbing all over them, or their partners getting there first, hogging the remote, with football blasting out of the TV.

Today I wanted to show you how to create a little reading nook of your own, even if it's just the corner of a room, so you can go put your feet up, curl up with a page turner, a brew and take five minutes away from everything. The rule is, once you're in this space, other people in the house need to respect that and give you some time out, OK? All you need are four fundamental elements - somewhere comfy to sit, a side table, a lamp and a good read.

Let's start with the chair. Although I've mentioned this beauty on my Instagram, I don't think I've ever photographed it properly in in my home before. I was lucky enough to be sent this Chesterfield armchair from DFS, as part of their Britannia Range in partnership with Team GB for the Rio Olympics. I actually helped to make this very chair believe it or not, hammering in the gold studs around the bottom and helping to upholster the arms when I went to visit the factory in Derbyshire. I didn't realise how intricate furniture production was until I watched the team build one of these chairs from scratch, but I'd definitely like to give upholstery another go once I, erm, order my tool belt and nail gun from SGS Engineering.

The chair fits perfectly by my French doors, with loads of natural light streaming through to create the ideal reading spot. Truth be told, it has to fit here. It's too heavy for me to move alone, and it wouldn't fit anywhere else in my flat. So here it is.

For an extra dose of comfort, you'll find my latest interiors purchase in the shape of this pink Oriental inspired cushion from Marks & Spencer. I actually went in looking for a vase I spotted on a haul from Liv Purvis over on Youtube, but when I couldn't find it, I decided to spend my money on this instead. It was £19.20 and I'm supposed to be saving money right now, so I can't even justify this apart from saying doesn't it look so pretty?

Marks & Spencer are absolutely on top of their game when it comes to homeware right now. I could have seriously spent hundreds yesterday, from furniture to bedding to beautiful sequin cushions - this latest collection is #interiorgoals

A reading nook wouldn't be complete without a side table, and this granite and wood design was a steal at £29.99 from Homesense. I spotted it hidden behind a huge wooden cabinet, just waiting for me to pick it up and give it a proper home like the runt of the litter. I've decorated the space quite simply with a vase and faux flowers, both again from Homesense, and a tealight holder, again from Marks & Spencer. I love the mix of gold and pink against the grey of the armchair, tying together the stud detailing. 

If you have a corner of a room, even your bedroom or the dining room where you can create a space of your own then do it. You only need somewhere comfortable to sit and space for an electric fence to go around you in case the kids want to come and sit with you - jokes. 

Here are a few bits I've picked out to help you create your own reading nook. Let me know if you have a space in your home where you sneak off and relax. Which room is your sanctuary? And don't you think this cushion is amazing? Mum, if you're reading this, I already know you think it was too damn expensive.

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