Built-in Daybed/Reading Nook Project

by Cindy Hagemann

5 Materials

$700

40 Hours

Medium

We have a typical plain office with the exception - it has a great view. I wanted to design a built-in reading nook/daybed that included storage underneath and bookcases to better utilize the space better and the view! I researched on Pinterest, Hometalk, and Houzz to find ideas, drew out my ideas and showed to by hubby to build.

Unfortunately, I did not take an actual BEFORE photo, before my hubby got started - but thought to snap this photo after the bookcases were built and set in the room. The lighting was a long strip of fluorescent lighting that I wanted to remove as well.

Starting to frame out the box for the bed using 2 x 4s. Getting the right size for the room was important to me. I did not want it to come all the way across the length of the long window because it would block a closet on the right side. But, I wanted it long and wide enough to accommodate a guest for sleeping, if necessary. So my decision was made the scientific way, I laid on the floor, measured a twin bed - and went with a custom size that would fit the room and a person.

Box is almost complete - it is really starting to look like my design now!

Here is the box of the bed built and the bookcase - it is coming together as I planned. We put large piano-type hinges on the lids to the boxes (there are 2), so that I can have lots of storage underneath for blankets, etc.

The nook has also become a place for my dogs to hang out and watch the property! This is my little rescue Pixie - watching our first snow fall in December.

Painted and prepped for reading, the cushion I ordered came in! I found new lights on Amazon and hubby installed them over the bed. Cushion was from the online store: www.cushionsource.com, it was expensive ($400) but I was able to custom order the fabric and the type of padding and I did not have time to make one (which would have been much cheaper). Now time to grab a good book and a cup of tea and catch up on my reading!

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1 question

Faye youngstrom on Dec 19, 2017

Cindy, This question is about succulents, you were kind enough to answer about before. What do you do to winter your succulents? I am new at this and surely do not want to lose them. Thank you in advance

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