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Build your own Den

Build your own Den: 7 ways to play with the NooK Den


When we launched the Den, we knew it would be incredibly popular. It opened the door – quite literally – to a whole new world of play opportunities. It’s never been so easy to build your own Cubby with the kids!


We were very mindful in our design of the Den to ensure that it would be as versatile as the rest of our modular collection. That’s why the Den pieces feature the same Zip-Together, Zip-Apart functionality as the NooK Base Cushions. You can zip the Den pieces together, use them separately to form tunnels or ships or zip a Den piece to a NooK Base Cushion. As the Den pieces share the same dimensions as a NooK Base Cushion, you can also easily store them under your NooK when they’re not in use - which has the added bonus of some extra height!


Whether you want to build your own little NooK or you’re looking for more creative cubby building ideas, we share seven different ways to play with the NooK Den.

1. Doors and Windows

When we conceived the idea for the Den, one of the primary needs we wanted it to meet was a door or window for your NooK builds. After all, when you build your own den, a door is a must!

Den building at home has never been easier! There are any number of different ways you can use your NooK Play Sofa and Den for building a den. Zip the Den pieces together and they, along with your NooK Base Cushions, the walls of your den. If you want a door on either end of your build, zip each Den piece to a NooK Base Cushion so they remain stable and upright.

If you have other NooK Extensions – like the Hive or Wedge Tail – you can also incorporate these into your build as seats or for the roof. Otherwise, a blanket draped over the top as a roof is the perfect way to finish your build. Other den ideas with blankets include hanging the blanket over the Den pieces as “curtains” or laying a blanket down inside for a snuggly spot to sit.

2. Ornate Roof

A NooK Extension never has just one use. There are always endless ways to play. Sometimes those ways to play are functional – like a door – but other times they’re simply aesthetic – like creating an ornate roof for your builds. Either way, we’re here for it. 

When you turn your Den pieces upside down, they do have a lovely curved shape that can make your builds look super fancy. Pop them on top of your build – ideally with a Back Bolster behind them for added stability – to take it to the next level. If you have a Hive set, add a couple on top as the finishing touch.

3. Canoe and Car Sides

There’s another practical way to use your Den and that’s to create the sides of a canoe/row boat/ship. To do this, all you need to do is unzip your Den pieces and place them flat on your NooK Base Cushions with the inside arches of the Den facing each other.

You’re left with the perfect space for one, two or even three sailors to jump aboard and sail away. Use your Side Bolsters as oars for a row boat or a NooK Round or hive as the steering wheel for a larger ship.

You can also upgrade your NooK Car with some Den sides in exactly the same way.

4. Tunnel Obstacle Courses

When you create your NooK obstacle courses, you can now use the Den to add in tunnels for the kids to navigate. If you’re using the Den as standalone pieces, you might need to secure them to something to hold them upright. As the Den zips perfectly to your NooK base cushions, you can make stable tunnels to crawl through!

Alternatively, build a structure with Den doors on either end to crawl through as part of a larger obstacle course. Use your other NooK pieces and Extensions as obstacles to jump over or land on.

5. Shooting Hoops

The Den integrates seamlessly with both the NooK Play Sofa and our huge range of other extras. Creativity is king when it comes to devising your own new build ideas. Use the Den as a target for throwing balls or beanbags through, turn it upside down for some somersault fun or counterbalance it like this to make a fun hoop for your very own Olympic-worthy basketball game!

6. Relaxation Station

With your two Den pieces stacked on top of each other, you have the perfect curve to sit back, put your feet up and relax. You can rest your arms on the sides and even use your Wedge Tail to elevate your feet.

If you like the idea of using your Den in this way, you can also do the same thing with your Den on top of your NooK Base Cushions. There are no rules – just endless opportunities for comfort and FUN.

7. Speedway

The Wedge Tail seriously makes the best car ramp. Racing cars down a Wedge Tail ramp is a great, simple activity to keep the kids entertained. Add two Den pieces stacked on top of each other and you’ve got the perfect track to create your very own Piston Cup! Try different track setups with all the NooK Extensions and enjoy the indoor energy building of racing your cars to the finish line!

Play your way with the Den

With the NooK Den, you can build your own den and so much more. It’s a versatile addition to your playroom collection that raises the bar on fun and comfort.

Shop the Den and add it to your NooK Play Sofa collection for even more play adventures.

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