Introduction

Most parents would like their children to read more -- and Wendy Alterman thinks the right room can help. The Michigan designer and mom of four recently converted a little-used 10-x-9-foot bedroom into a charming child's library and reading room.

"My children love to read," Alterman says. "When I was thinking about what to do with this small space, I thought it would be wonderful to design a quiet getaway where kids could turn off the television and explore the world available in books."

Alterman designed a roomy floor-to-ceiling storage wall, then added a tot-size wicker set, opposite. It's a great perch for reading or an impromptu tea party with a play date, and the inexpensive white wicker paired with a crisp blue-and-white color scheme lends classic style to the room.

 

"I advise people to paint children's rooms in pale colors and to use white storage pieces," Alterman says. "That way, you can update a room easily in a few years by letting the kids choose new furniture and new accessories." For now, a few toys and teddy bears mingle with the books, above, but later on, school memorabilia and reference books can take their place.

No extra bedroom in your home? No problem, Alterman says. Convert a corner of a family room or your child's bedroom into a nifty reading nook with the addition of a bookshelf, a good light, and a comfy chair.

Although this space was designed for the under-7 set, the designer says the idea works equally well for older kids. "Good storage and cozy corners know no age limits," she says. "Who wouldn't love a place to curl up and get lost in a good book?"