I'd like to talk about the small spare bedroom at the back of our flat, which my partner and I have converted into a little reading and study nook. Our flat is on the second floor of a converted Victorian terrace, and while the living room faces a fairly busy high street, this back room looks straight out over a leafy communal garden, so it feels completely secluded from the hustle and bustle outside.
In terms of decor, we've kept things pretty minimalist to avoid clutter. There’s a muted sage-green colour scheme on the walls, a sturdy oak desk beneath the sash window, and a ridiculously comfortable armchair with a knitted throw draped over it. Along one entire wall, there are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves overflowing with novels, travel guides, and a few potted houseplants like ferns and spider plants that seem to thrive in the soft afternoon light.
Whenever I step into that room, I usually kick off my shoes, brew a pot of herbal tea, and curl up in the armchair with a paperback, or sometimes I just put on some soft instrumental music through my headphones. Because I work in a bustling open-plan office, my days are often filled with constant noise and back-to-back meetings, so having this dedicated space is an absolute lifesaver.
What makes it so much more relaxing than the rest of the flat is the strict rule we have against bringing laptops, work paperwork, or even the television into it. It’s entirely free from digital distractions, and because it faces away from the road, it’s remarkably tranquil. The moment I shut the door behind me, I feel my shoulders drop and the mental clutter of the day just melts away.