Love them or hate them, many homes have awkward nooks that are hard to fill. While these nooks pose design challenges, they can be an asset with a little creativity. If you’re stumped about what to do with the awkward spot in your home, try one of these ten ideas.
Create a Book Nook
Deep nooks are prime real estate for bookshelves and benches. A reading nook that incorporates shelves adds to the look and function of your house. You can kick back and enjoy your own mini library.
Add a Ladder
Horizontal nooks are more of a challenge to decorate than vertical nooks. These homeowners got creative and added a thin mattress pad and ladder to the recess in their child’s room. The result is a cozy place to play and hang out.
Transform Large Nooks into Office Spaces
When your large nook is the size of a walk-in closet, turn it into a room. These homeowners maximized every square inch of their space by utilizing built-in shelves and a desk to create a home office. Even if your recess is smaller, you can include a built-in desk for the ultimate work-from-home space.
Build In a Bed
It’s typical for the upstairs of one-and-a-half-story homes to have slanted walls and unique layouts. Consider build-ins if you’re in a similar situation and need help to nail down furniture arrangements. The built-in bed in this space utilizes the slanted nook, saving space and making the room more functional.
Consider Bench Seating
Kitchen alcoves provide a space for built-in seating. It doesn’t take many DIY skills to custom build a bench —however, this is also a job you can hire out. Once the bench is situated, find or build a breakfast table to fit the dimensions.
Maximize Storage
It’s always difficult to determine what to do with the under-the-stairs recess. Creating storage is a common solution, but that doesn’t have to mean an enclosed closet. These homeowners added shelving, drawers, a bench, and hooks to accommodate different needs in an aesthetically pleasing fashion.
Turn Awkward Corner Nooks Into Computer Desks
If you don’t need any extra storage, create a built-in desk in your under-stair nook. You can install cabinets or opt for an easy and inexpensive floating desk. Those lacking a dedicated home office can dress up the stair area to suit their work-from-home needs.
Pamper Your Pets
Turn an alcove into a haven for your pet. Awkward nooks and recesses are great for keeping dog beds or cat litter boxes away from the main areas of the house. You can also dress up the area like these homeowners did, adding molding and wall art.
Load Up on Wall Art
Shallow nooks prevent common ideas such as benches and desks — however, they’re still prime decor spots. Load a nook like this with your favorite family photos or wall art. You could also add wallpaper as a design statement.
Install Shelving
Simple beadboard and shelving can turn an unused alcove into a cozy nook. These homeowners painted the recess a deeper color and added staggered shelves. If your space is deep enough, consider a bench with drawer storage.
