27 Ways to Fill an Awkward, Empty Corner
Whether you live in a studio apartment or a family mansion, you’re bound to run up against an awkward corner somewhere. By that we mean awkward spaces where there’s not enough room to fit a large piece of furniture, but it looks even more awkward to leave it as an empty corner.
Luckily, there are many creative tips and tricks to make use for an awkward or empty corner. So we’ve rounded up the easiest and most stylish ways to decorate an awkward corner. Read on!
1. Fill a Corner With Plants
If you’re dealing with an awkward corner next to or surrounded by big windows, work in a mix of plants. Add different types of plants at varying heights, from big leafy greenery to hanging ivies to cacti. Use planters and place those on stands to create a stylish visual display.
Also check out our bay window ideas for tips on how to decorate this type of space!
2. Curate an Art Corner
Create a gallery look in a small corner by hanging art on both walls. Hang as many pieces as you want, as high as you want. Just be sure to have the same number of artwork on both walls. For a bold look, line the walls from floor to ceiling; or keep it simple with a few colorful pieces.
3. Maximize Storage Space
An empty corner can always be put to good use as a stylish storage area. Think a mix of baskets on the floor, hooks for coats, and floating shelves for storage bins and other gadgetry and everyday items. This is a great solution for the space under a staircase or near an entry.
Also check out our design ideas for a nook under the stairs!
4. Create a Mini Bar Lounge
Awkward corners in the living space can easily be made into a casual seating and bar area. Anchor the corner with a comfy lounge chair, then pull in a console table or bar cart stocked with your favorite spirits. For more of a conversation area vibe, bring in a pair of armchairs instead.
5. Set Up a Bar Station
If you love entertaining and have been dreaming of building out a full bar at home, do it in any empty corner—be it off to the side of your living room or under the stairs if you’re pressed for space. Find a sideboard that fits your space, then top it with some stylish bar accessories.
6. Add a Kid-Friendly Workspace
An unused narrow corner can easily be furnished into a home office and workspace for everyone in the family. Pull in a small table, comfy and versatile chair, and a desk lamp to make it into a space that’s perfect for responding to emails or for kids to work on homework projects.
7. Design a Workout Corner
If you exercise at home and have been dreaming of a home gym, consider this alternative: Turn an empty corner or small nook into a dedicated workout area. Set it up with exercise equipment, free weights, and a stool for towels, and you’ve got a gym spot that won’t be an eyesore.
8. Play Up a Kids Zone
For families with children, awkward corners in the home are perfect creating kids’s zones, which give little ones a space to play and call their own. Simply deck out a corner with a durable rug, storage baskets, their favorite big toys, and a mini table and chairs for a place to do crafts.
9. Warm Up With a Bench
If you have bay windows or just an awkward nook with a view, take advantage of the natural light by adding a bench for reading and relaxing. It can result in a cozy nook that feels like a quiet hideaway that’s separate from the rest of your home. Think of it as your self-care corner!
10. Go Big With a Hanging Chair
For a reading corner with a touch of boho flair, try suspending a hanging chair—especially if you have high ceilings. It will anchor your space while keeping it feeling airy, outdoor vibe. Most hanging chairs come with a deep seat, so it’ll also make for a casual and relaxing hideaway.
11. Bring in a Bookshelf
A bookcase is one of the best ways to solve for any kind of awkward corner space. Because open bookshelves come in a number of sizes, you’re sure to find one that fits your corner. And it won’t take up a lot of floor space, either. Style it up with accents to turn it into a chic showcase.
12. Lean Into Bold Artwork
When an awkward corner is too tight to fit a bookcase or storage piece, leana few oversize artworks along the wall instead. It will add a casual but very stylish feel, while bringing a dose of color, depth, and pattern to your corner. This is a great if you rent or live in a studio apartment.
13. Showcase a Folding Screen
It’s always good to work up the vertical space in an awkward corner. Adding a folding screen does just that while also using minimal floor space. Plus, folding screens will also provide a three-dimensional element as well as sculptural appeal to the corner, just like a bold piece of art.
14. Layer in a Vanity
If you’re dealing with a tight corner near a window in the bedroom, try decorating the space into a dressing vanity with a desk, ottoman, wall mirror, and a soft rug. It’s the perfect use for an empty corner that adds major style and function, and it can easily double as a desk—which is a perfect space-saving solution if you live in a studio or small apartment.
15. Make a Dressing Area
In a spacious bedroom, try turning the empty space along windows into a dressing area. Set up a chair or a bench, a dresser or chest, and leave plenty of walking room so you can easily try on outfits and put on shoes. If you have the wall space, lean a floor mirror to round it all out.
16. Carve Out a Seating Nook
Probably the most stylish use of awkward corners is to transform them into a comfy seating nook. Simply anchor your corner with a deep armchair or chaise lounge to start. Round it out with a cozy rug, chic lighting, and plush pillows and throws for an extra inviting place to curl up.
Get more inspiring tips with our roundup of reading nook ideas!
17. Accent With Tall Greenery
Instead of a mix of plants, liven up an empty corner with a tall tree or plant. Station it in a large planter and let it fill out the vertical space of your corner. It will lend a sculptural and organic touch to your space while infusing color and texture—and it will keep looking better with time.
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Whether it’s a sculptural floor lamp, a bold table lamp or even a cool hanging pendant, placing stylish lighting in a corner will instantly elevate the focus in your room. In a dark space, a corner light fixture makes for a functional light source while also adding captivating style. It’s a win win.
Working with an awkward-shaped room? Check out our awkward layout solutions for ideas on how to furnish and add lighting to a space.
19. Build Out a Breakfast Nook
For homes with open living and dining spaces, it’s common to find awkward corners near windows and at both ends of the room. It sounds daunting but they’re actually perfect for creating a breakfast nook with a mix of chairs and benches along with a compact table. Depending on how much space you have, you can either keep it small and intimate or set up a dining table and nook seating for the whole family.
20. Put Up a Clothing Rack
Consider placing a free-standing clothing rack in an unused corner in the bedroom, entry, home office or anywhere you can benefit from some extra storage for coats and jackets. It makes for a versatile alternative to wall hooks, and you can easily repurpose it in another room later on.
21. Pile on Storage Baskets
Few decorative items are as useful and chic as large woven baskets. Arrange a pair or a set in an empty corner to hold extra linens, pillows, throws, and other soft bedding; and use another as a hamper for dirty clothes. They are the ultimate in portable storage that’s endlessly stylish.
22. Hang Some Storage Hooks
With tight corners, it’s all about maximizing vertical space.Try installing wall hooks, which is a stylish solution for any narrow hallway or entry corner. It’ll help you corral everyday items, such as coats, backpacks, dog leashes, kids jackets, and more—all without taking up floor space.
23. Give Yourself the Corner Office
Put an awkward corner to productive use by turning it into your personal home office and workspace. Tuck a desk into the corner for a private and distraction free work zone, then top off the space with all your office essentials: a comfy chair, office storage, task lighting, and some of your favorite art to inspire you throughout your WFH days.
24. Slide in a Floor Mirror
Probably the most challenging awkward space to design around is the area between a sofa and the wall—which is often near a corner and too tight to fit any furniture. Instead, try leaning a floor mirror. It will slip in nicely without taking up floor space, and it will help open up the room also by reflecting light and making the space appear larger. Plus, it also looks stylish and unexpected.
25. Cozy Up With A Rocker
Perfect for a nursery or kids room (but also any bedroom or study), a rocking chair is just that comfy furniture piece to anchor an empty corner. It makes for a practical and supportive seat for nursing and rocking a toddler to sleep. At the same time, it’s a supremely cozy chair you can relax in. The best part? You can reuse it in other rooms as your own stylish seat down the line.
26. Line Up a Console
With awkward corners in front of windows, you usually have room to pull in a console table or sideboard that fits perfectly underneath. Station one below the window and use it as chic storage and a display surface for items you don’t need to access daily, such as decorative objects, books, and favorite objects.
27. Use Corner-Filling furniture
The best way to get the most out of empty corner spaces? Readjust your layout or furniture selection so that you have pieces that tuck seamlessly into the corners. This could be a corner desk, sectional, or bed placed in a way so that it intentionally lines the walls and a corner. This will close up the corner space and open the rest of your room without the awkward corner flow.
Maximize an awkward corner in your home!