Every home is different, but one thing that many have in common is a few awkward spaces that don’t have any real purpose. Often, this is a quirk of how a home is built – for example, a chimney breast may create recesses to one or both sides that may not be large or deep enough for a piece of furniture. Alternatively, it may have been designed for a function that is no longer needed, or be part of the visual design of the home. Whatever the reason for an awkward space, it can be frustrating when it gets in the way of your interior design aspirations.
Thankfully, there are many creative ways to approach an awkward space and make better use of it, and avoid the sense that it is a problem to be worked around. With property prices and rents rising, people are often unable to afford as much space and storage capacity as they need. Any extra room you can create can go a long way and may have aesthetic appeal as well as the practical benefits you can gain.
Ultimately, the space you have will determine what you can do with it in most circumstances – but there is almost always a better approach than leaving the space unused, especially if you find that you don’t have as much room as you need. Here, the awkward space storage experts at Clever Closet explain some creative approaches you can take to make the maximum use of the space you have available and some innovative ways to transform those awkward spaces into assets that will unleash the hidden potential of your home.
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What Type of Space Do You Have?
The first consideration is the nature of the space you are working with. The ‘awkwardness’ of an awkward space usually refers to its shape, size, or placement in the home, and these can vary significantly. The term could refer to the area under your stairs, which is often difficult to use because of the sloped ceiling created by the staircase. Alternatively, it may be a simple alcove with a rounded ceiling, or a recess that is too shallow to occupy furniture.
Ask yourself what you want to achieve, and what challenges you are facing – is the space too small to install a piece of furniture in it? Is it the wrong shape? Does its position in the center of a room attract attention and disrupt the sense of balance that all good living spaces should have? This will allow you to start moving towards a specific goal.
The options you have available will typically depend on the answers to these questions. Here, we will present some creative suggestions for how you can best use such an alcove, nook, cubbyhole, or other awkward space – some of these ideas will work best for homes and spaces with particular dimensions, but some will work in any situation. Think about your options, do some research of your own, and you are sure to find a clever way to make better use of all the empty spaces in your home.
Decorate
Many awkward spaces can be improved with simple shelves. For example, a shallow alcove can be adapted with simple shelves that run from one side to the other. This creates a focal point and gives the sense that the shelves are being framed, which makes them the perfect place to display decorations, family photos and other decorative elements.
This can also be a great place to put some greenery. You could hang a draping vine plant inside a shallow alcove for decoration – there are lots of ideas to consider, with both authentic and plastic options available. Alternatively, you may decide to simply hang a woven basket or other decorative feature.
In fact, you could combine these ideas: install a set of shelves in your awkward space and balance the extra storage capacity with some beautiful, decorative plants to create the perfect fusion of function and aesthetics.
Storage
If you need more storage capacity and you want to take one step further than shelves, consider whether a built-in storage solution may be suitable. These are now available in a variety of configurations to help you make the best possible use of the space, and can be customised to make a perfect fit without the need to overspend on a bespoke unit.
An awkward space storage solution is practical and, provided you choose a unit without handles or other aesthetic features, it will sit flat against the wall. This means that it will not only make the best use of an awkward space, but it will hide it from view and create a sense of visual unity in the room.
This can be a great way to use a space that is too small for you to physically occupy, as it turns something that is unused and inconvenient into something that adds value to your home and your life.
Create a Nook
One way to make a room with an awkward space feel larger is to move the furniture away from the walls. This allows you to define areas using your furniture, which can give you more freedom to move and to occupy an awkward space. Framing a space can make it feel intentional, which is often the best way to compensate for its potential awkwardness.
All you need to create a cozy nook is a chair and a table. The vast array of sizes and shapes available means that you are sure to find a combination that will fit your space. Naturally, this will only work with a space that is large enough for you to comfortably sit in, but by rearranging the furniture around your awkward space, you can create the sense that it is larger and more useful.
If you want to aim even higher, there are a great many design inspirations available online that may provide the solution you are looking for. However you decide to approach the challenge of an awkward space, don’t give up until you have found a way to make it work for you.
