Book nooks: wooden DIY kits for your bookshelf

A book nook is a miniature world you place between your books, about as wide as a thick novel. With a wooden DIY kit you build an atmospheric scene yourself, from a hidden alleyway to a magical library. The kits contain laser-cut wooden parts, instructions and, for most models, LED lighting.

Once assembled, your book nook becomes a special little window into your bookcase. You'll also see it called a booknook or book nook kit. They all refer to the same creative kit for book lovers.

Making a book nook kit for the first time? Then look mainly at the difficulty level on the product page, not just the number of parts. That way you choose a DIY kit that matches your experience.

Easy: ideal as a first project, with clear parts and simple steps. The Darkness Herbarium with 90 parts and the Owl Bookstore with 139 parts are lovely options to start with.

Intermediate: for those looking for a bit more of a challenge. You work with more layers and details, but the building steps stay easy to follow.

Advanced: for experienced builders who enjoy precise work with lots of small parts. The Magic Pharmacist with 282 parts is a great project for anyone ready for a bigger challenge.

All the wooden parts and the instructions are in the box. Most models also include LED lighting. You'll need to provide glue, tools, paint and batteries yourself. With wood glue, tweezers and small scissors you'll have the most important supplies for our book nook kits at home.

Building comes down to a few simple steps: pressing the wooden parts out of the sheet, sanding where needed, gluing and letting them dry. The instructions are in English, with clear drawings and numbered parts. So you can easily follow most steps using the pictures.

Before you order a book nook, there are a few things worth checking.

Measure your bookcase. Our book nooks are about 17 to 28 cm tall and 8 to 16 cm deep. You'll find the exact dimensions for each wooden kit on the product page. That way you know for sure your miniature world will fit nicely between your books.

Check the lighting. Most book nooks have LED lighting, but not every model does. So always check the specifications under the Lighting heading.

Mind the recommended age. Our book nook kits are suitable from age 14. The two Tonecheer models have a recommended age of 15 and up. Because of the small parts and the use of glue, they're mainly intended for older children and adults.

A diorama is a miniature scene that you usually view from the front. A book nook is designed especially for your bookcase: a narrow, upright kit that fits between your books and creates a special glimpse inside. It looks as if a hidden little street or miniature library is tucked away behind your books.

The two book nooks from Tonecheer make something really special of this. At 28.3 cm tall, they're real eye-catchers between your books and also double as bookends. The Magical Library also has a motion sensor, so the lighting switches on automatically when you come within about 50 cm.

A book nook is a gift that brings joy twice: first while building and then as a special decoration on the bookshelf. For a beginner, an easy kit is a lovely choice. Someone with more experience you can surprise with an advanced model.

Visiting our bookshop in Rotterdam? Then you can see the book nook kits side by side and compare their sizes. Ordering online? Tick the box in your cart to say it's a gift, and we'll wrap it beautifully for you.

Complete the gift with a book that matches the mood, for example one of our special editions.