While some RVs are more spacious than others, space is always a precious commodity. Yet in our opinion, even in the most compact campers, there’s always room for a little corner of calm. A place to fill your mind with new ideas, sink into an incredible story, or drift off for some much-needed rest. Creating a cozy RV reading nook (that’s also good for napping) isn’t about the available square footage. It’s about your intention: how you want to use the space in your RV. Fortunately, a few thoughtful touches can transform any hidden corner into the ultimate escape.
Simple Transformations: From Normal Use to RV Reading Nook in Minutes
A great nook doesn’t have to take a lot of work or time—just a bit of imagination. Take a look at your current RV spaces. Say, a side dinette, a recliner, or even a swiveling captain’s chair. Can you add a layer of comfort without disrupting your RV rhythm?
For example, swapping out the hard edges of a dinette with soft, fluffy pillows or adding a warm throw to a sunlit corner can create the perfect spot to nestle in for a morning coffee and daily meditation or those late nights when you just can’t put your book down.
A plush cushion or two can turn a stiff dinette bench into a cozy reading perch. A blanket tossed over the back of a seat instantly adds softness and warmth. (It also serves as décor that can be updated every season if you like.)
Slip a soft pillow behind your lower back, add an easy-to-stow footstool or ottoman, and even your swivel seat can become a place to relax and get lost in another world.
The same goes for a sofa or lounge chair. Add a simple basket to store your travel pillow and throw to transform sitting areas into places you’ll want to settle into. Add a foldable desk lamp, your favorite book or e-reader, and you’ll have everything you need to create the perfect RV reading nook. All you have to do when it’s time to hit the road again is pack it back into the basket and slide it under the seat or into a storage compartment until it’s time for the next chapter.
Small changes can transform any ordinary corner into an inviting retreat. Best of all, when it’s time to head out to the next adventure or pack up to head home, clean up can take mere minutes.
Level up with Smart DIY Touches for Serious Bookworms
For those who love to tinker, personalize, and create their own well-organized space (you are our heroes!), there are so many more ways to create a customized RV reading nook. It is true that you probably won’t be able to bring Herminoe’s entire library or a full wall of books. That said, you can still carve out enough storage space to satisfy your thirst for reading on the road.
Slim shelves can be tucked into unused wall space. Hanging fabric pockets, which can be hung from a wall or drape from a cabinet door, serve as both décor and a convenient place to keep a handful of books close by. They aren’t only lightweight and functional; they don’t take up precious square inches.
Even small furniture tweaks can give your RV reading nook a built-in feel. Blankets, extra pillows, journals, lighting, and even reading glasses can easily fit into under-seat bins or ottomans, keeping everything tidy and within reach. A swivel chair can be angled toward a window for more natural light (or stave off a glare). A small fold-down side table can hold a mug of coffee or tea, a glass of wine or dirty soda, or an afternoon snack. These DIY projects don’t require a full renovation—just a few smart add-ons to customize your space.
Let There Be Light in Your RV Reading Nook
No reading nook—RV or otherwise—is complete without the right amount of glow. Light sets the mood and saves your eyes. Adjustable lighting can help you stay up a little longer to indulge in just one more chapter, jot down your latest adventures in your travel journal, or check your lids for cracks after a long hike or paddling session. The trick is to be able to increase the glow to read comfortably or soften when the pages begin to blur and your eyes need a little rest.
Natural light is best during the day. Position your reading spot near a window, if possible. Morning sunshine can make the pages look almost golden. If you’re journaling or reading a book that makes you think, being able to view the natural world outside can deepen the experience. When the afternoon sun is streaming through, though, it can become almost blinding. A soft shade or curtain can help soften the glare without blacking out the room or totally obscuring the view.
Once the sun begins to set, layers of light can be your best friend. A booklight is a road-trip essential. You can find lights that clip onto a nearby side table, shelf, desk, or headboard. Alternatively, you can try lights that clip directly onto your book. These take up almost no space and can often be tucked into a drawer or reading basket when not in use.
To set the mood, you can add small LED lamps or adhesive-mounted sconces for a cozy ambiance. Again, dimmable lights increase the versatility of your space, making it easy to shift from being ready for a page turner to snuggling into a catnap.
Cozy Up: Pillows, Blankets, and Beyond
Reading nooks aren’t places to just sit; they’re places to truly sink in and relax. And often, that comes down to just the right mix of pillows and blankets. Within your RV, these extra comforts don’t just invite you to linger into the next chapter. They pull double-duty—keeping you warm by the campfire or providing additional support for your tired back on long drives.
A few cushions can instantly soften a cold corner. A small lumbar pillow can transform a bench seat into a comfortable seating area. Use a mixture of textures and colors to add personality. Or change them up for each season—cooler cotton for spring and summer, cozy knits or fleece for fall, and perhaps faux fur for winter. With RVing, though, storage and space saving always remain top of mind. Choose pillows and cushions that are easy to stack, store, or toss onto the bed when it’s time to roll.
The same goes for blankets. A lightweight throw is perfect for warm-weather trips. As the temperatures dip, a fleece or wool can keep you snug. Blankets can be easily rolled up or folded and tucked away into baskets, under benches, or in ottomans. Again, look for blankets that can be used not only for a cozy RV reading nook or a quick afternoon nap, but also as an extra layer when you’re hanging out by the campfire or setting out a delicious picnic.
Finding Solitude: Privacy in a Shared Space
Anyone who’s shared a small RV space knows it can be challenging to carve out even a sliver of private space. Curling up in your reading nook should signal that you’re slipping into your own little world for a while, but that’s easier said than done.
A simple curtain on a tension rod or a lightweight fabric panel can provide a visual reminder that you’re off on your own, even if you’re just in a corner seat. Partially drawn blinds around a window perch can give the same message. Neither has to interfere with the flow of the rest of the RV.
If your RV mate is moving around, crunching on snacks, or thumbing through reels, that can make it harder to stay focused on your book. A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones comes to the rescue. Turn on some soft music or even white, brown, or pink noise. (You can find playlists on Spotify, YouTube, and Pandora.) Or use a small noise machine or even a gentle fan to blur outside noises. Personally, I love cozying up in a nook and reading when it’s raining—nature’s own blissful hum.
Don’t underestimate the power of claiming your corner. A favorite throw, the right reading light, and a book nearby send a strong message: this spot is reserved for reading. In a tiny home on wheels, even subtle signals can make a world of difference, allowing you to claim your place to read, recharge, reset, and return only when you’re ready to rejoin the adventure.
Taking It Outside: The Open-Air RV Reading Nook
One of the main reasons so many of us love RVing is because it affords us more time (and comfort) in the great outdoors. Indeed, I’d argue the best RV reading nook is outside of the RV. Natural light, fresh air, gentle breezes, and the soft soundtrack of birds, perhaps accompanied by the gentle lapping of water nearby, are the perfect setting to get lost in a good book. Even if you only have time to indulge in a few chapters (or a few pages) before hitting the next adventure, it’s an ideal way to escape for a few moments.
Start by rolling out an outdoor rug under your awning. This instantly defines a comfortable space. Add in your favorite folding chair or zero-gravity lounger and something to use for a small side table, and you’ve got a perfect setup for reading, journaling, thinking, or dozing off. If you want to take it up a level, string up a portable hammock or swing chairs.
If you plan to spend time outdoors, don’t forget to bring some good sunscreen, a sunhat, and bug repellent. Clip-on repellents, citronella candles, or even a lightweight mesh screen for particularly buggy areas can help keep pests away, allowing you to get lost in your story. Grab a cozy blanket to drape across your shoulders or lap to stave off any chill if needed.
Every once in a while, take a moment to set your book down, take a big, deep breath, and reconnect with the wonderful world around you. Isn’t this one of the biggest reasons to 🧡 RVing?
Your RV Reading Nook: Sanctuary on the Road
Wherever you create your own little reading nook—tucked into a corner dinette, cozy under your RV’s awning, or gently swaying in a hammock—it’s an invitation to pause, recharge, and escape into a story (or nap).
Again, it doesn’t require a lot of renovation or a significant amount of money; it just takes your intention, perhaps an extra cushion, and the right lighting. Suddenly, you’ll have a built-in reading retreat that goes with you on all your RV adventures. 🧡