How to Create the Perfect Reading Retreat at Home This Summer
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OK then. Let’s talk about something you probably haven’t given yourself permission to do in ages. A proper reading retreat at home. No airport queues. No overpriced hotel minibar. Just you, a good book and a space that actually feels like you’ve escaped.
And honestly? It can feel just as good as going away. I promise.
If you’ve been eyeing your to-be-read pile like it’s judging you, this summer is your moment. A reading retreat at home doesn’t need to cost a fortune. It just needs a little thought. Some people are even calling it a readaway now and I have to say. I love that. A readaway. A holiday built entirely around books and rest. Right in your own home. And mi darlin, that’s exactly what we’re going to sort out today.
Before we get into it, one small thing that makes a massive difference to the whole experience. A decent reading light. Poor lighting is the thing that ends a reading session early every single time. This Desk lamp clip on light is brilliant as it can be easily clipped on tables, desks, bedside tables, shelves, chairs, benches and more and great for evening reading sessions.
Choose Your Reading Spot
This is the most important step and it doesn’t have to be a dedicated room. It just has to feel separate from your usual sofa-scrolling spot.
Think about a sunny corner near a window. A garden chair with a side table or a bedroom nook with the curtains half drawn. The point is it needs to feel intentional. Like you chose it specifically for your summer readaway.
If your home feels a bit chaotic right now and you’re not sure how to carve out your own little sanctuary, I wrote about Using room dividers to create a personal space at home which is spot on for this kind of thing.
Set the Atmosphere for Your Reading Retreat
![reading retreat at home setup with fairy lights candle and cosy blanket on armchair]](https://leefrankie.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/an-inviting-setting-with-an-open-book-warm-candlelight-and-a-cozy-atmosphere.-5258409-684x1024.jpg)
This is where the magic happens and it costs very little. Your senses do most of the heavy lifting here.
From my time in the hotel trade I can tell you, the difference between a room that feels special and one that doesn’t usually comes down to lighting, scent and texture. Not expensive furniture.
So luvi, soft lighting, a gentle candle, diffuser or a blanket you actually love and a cold drink or hot brew within arm’s reach.
Now mi darlin, quick word of warning from someone who learned the hard way. I once got all snugged up with my book, proper cosy, totally engrossed in the book, reached over for my drink-not really looking was I, and knocked it flying. All over me and all over the book. The book was absolutely knackered. Soggy and unreadable. So do yourself a favour and grab a lidded tumbler or a travel mug rather than an open glass. This Insulated tumbler on Amazon keeps your drink hot or cold for hours and has a proper secure lid.. Lesson very much learned on my end.
One thing few talk about when it comes to reading nooks and that’s the scent, if you’re going to be reading for an hour or two, you want to be somewhere that smells pleasant. If you want your home to smell absolutely gorgeous without spending a lot. This Reed diffuser set in White Jasmine Scent is one I’d genuinely recommend. It particular feels like a boutique hotel, it’s around £18 on Amazon and it lasts for weeks. Proper lovely for setting that slow summer readaway vibe.
What to Read on Your At-Home Reading Retreat
Try and Keep it light because this is your holiday after all, not a book club obligation.
Here are some classics I absolutely love and one recent by Adrian Webster all of which I would happily recommend for a proper reading retreat at home this summer. These are the ones that pull you in and don’t let go.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Atmospheric, gripping and utterly gorgeous. Perfect for a slow summer afternoon.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. A classic for a reason. Witty, warm and incredibly easy to get lost in.
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Slow, beautiful and feels like summer in book form.
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier. Another du Maurier because honestly. she never misses. Moody and brilliant.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières. Rich, romantic and transporting. Feels like a proper holiday in your hands.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Powerful, absorbing and the kind of book that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. Dramatic and wildly atmospheric. Perfect for losing yourself completely.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Short, beautiful and genuinely life-affirming. One of those books you finish and immediately want to start again.
Chocolat by Joanne Harris. Sensory, warm and utterly indulgent. Feels like summer in the south of France without leaving your chair.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Emotional and completely gripping. Once you start you genuinely cannot put it down.
Tiny Noticeable Things by Adrian Webster. This book packs a punch in that it is filled with stories of hope, joy and gratitude.
Pick one you haven’t read yet and save it specifically for your readaway. There is something really lovely about opening a book for the first time as part of a deliberate slow summer escape.
Create a Reading Day Schedule
You don’t need a rigid timetable darlin, but having a loose structure stops the day disappearing into Instagram before you’ve read a chapter.
And here’s something I’ve learned about myself over the years. I have to read earlier in the day. If I leave it too late I just fall asleep. Full stop. It then takes me months to finish a book because I’m basically reading the same page over and over. Sound familiar? Nah, you’re not alone with that one.
So try this simple structure that works a treat for a proper summer reading retreat at home.
Morning. A slow breakfast with fresh coffee or tea, then your first reading session and no phone until you’ve read at least 30 minutes. This is genuinely the best part of the day for your readaway and the time when your brain is actually switched on.
Midday. Go for a little walk or have a stretch. Lunch somewhere nice, maybe outside if the weather’s good?
Afternoon. A lighter second session. Try and keep it relaxed. This is where I’d genuinely suggest trying an audiobook if your eyes need a rest or you just want to close them for a bit. An Audible subscription is honestly one of the best things I’ve come across for keeping a readaway going even when you’re too tired to hold a book. You can listen while you stretch out in the garden, potter about or just sit with your eyes shut like you’re absolutely supposed to be doing nothing.
Evening. Wind down with something easy. Like a film, a podcast or a snack board.
Speaking of snack boards. I have a whole post on How to style a gorgeous grazing table on a budget which is perfect for a slow summer day like this.
Make Your Reading Retreat Feel Like a Proper Escape
This is the bit most people skip and it makes all the difference.
Tell people you’re unavailable. Seriously Darlin you have to. Put your phone in another room. If you struggle with this (and nah, you’re not alone) a simple Phone lockbox with a timer is honestly one of the best investments I’ve made. Once that lid closes. bliss. Total guilt-free readaway time.
If you want to go all in and turn your whole home into a summer sanctuary. my post on How to make your home feel like a holiday every day is a good one to read alongside this.
Upgrade Your Reading Spot Without Spending a Fortune
A few small buys make your reading retreat at home feel genuinely special rather than just sitting in your living room.
The one thing I’d say is worth a proper spend? A Good Quality hammock chair for indoors or outdoors. I’m talking a proper chunky woven one that you actually sink into. and luv, once you’re in it with a book in your hand you will not want to move. I’ve had mine for two summers now and it still looks gorgeous.
I also love these Large indoor Bean Bag Chairs they’re so versatile they make it feel like somewhere worth sitting and they come in three gorgeous shades.
And if you want more ideas for turning your outdoor space into something you actually want to spend time in, my post on transforming your garden into a holiday retreat at home has loads in it.
FAQs: Reading Retreat at Home
What is a reading retreat at home?
A reading retreat at home is a dedicated day or weekend where you create a calm and comfortable space to read without distractions. You treat it like a mini holiday. Switch off your phone, set up a cosy spot and give yourself proper uninterrupted time with your books. Some people are now calling it a readaway and honestly. the name says it all.
How do I set up a reading nook at home on a budget?
You don’t need much. A comfortable chair or floor cushion, good lighting, a soft blanket and a small side table for your drink and snacks. Choose a spot away from the TV and keep your phone out of reach.
What should I read on a summer reading retreat at home?
Go for books that feel like an escape. Classic novels like Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or Captain Corelli’s Mandolin are brilliant choices. Pick something you’ve been meaning to read for ages rather than something you feel you should read.
How long should a reading retreat at home last?
Even a single afternoon counts. A full day is ideal. A whole weekend is proper luxury. Start with what feels realistic and build from there.
Do I need a separate room for a reading retreat at home?
Not at all. A cosy corner of your living room, a garden chair or even a bedroom setup works beautifully. The key is that it feels intentional and separate from your usual routine.
What time of day is best for a reading retreat at home?
Morning or early afternoon is genuinely the best time. Leave it too late in the day and you’ll be asleep before the end of the chapter. We’ve all been there. Get your best reading done while your brain is still with you.
Well go on then mi darlin. get that book off the shelf, claim your corner and give yourself the summer readaway you actually deserve
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