You do not need a spare room to have a reading nook. One quiet corner, a comfortable chair and warm light are enough. These ideas work for USA apartments and rental homes, with no renovation, no drilling and no permanent changes.
Look for the corner that gets the least foot traffic — beside a window, at the end of the sofa, or in a bedroom corner. A nook works best when it feels slightly separate from the rest of the room, even if that separation is only a rug and a chair turned at an angle.
The chair is the whole nook. Pick one with good back support and arms wide enough for a book and a mug. A second-hand armchair with a washable cover works just as well as a new one. Add a cushion for your lower back and the chair becomes a place you actually return to every evening.
Good light makes a nook feel intentional. A floor lamp or a small table lamp with a warm bulb beats a ceiling light every time. Place the lamp behind or beside the chair so the light falls over your shoulder onto the page, not into your eyes.
A small wall shelf, a slim side table or a basket on the floor keeps your current book close without taking over the room. Keep only a few books out — the ones you are reading now. The rest can stay on a shelf elsewhere, so the corner stays calm instead of crowded.
A knit throw over the chair arm, a small rug under your feet or a soft cushion changes how the corner feels in seconds. One layer is enough. Too many throws and pillows make a tiny corner feel stuffed, and you will stop using it.
A mug you like, a small plant, or a framed print on the wall gives the nook a finished feeling. Choose one touch that makes you smile when you sit down, and leave the rest simple. A nook should invite you in, not ask for upkeep.
Start with: one quiet corner, one comfortable chair, one warm lamp and a small place for books. Skip: a big bookshelf squeezed into the corner, bright white overhead light, and too many cushions competing for space.
More small-space ideas: DecorHomy — Small Apartment Decor, Renter-Friendly Storage & Budget Home Ideas