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Straight-Up Advice for Corner Spaces
Neglected corners in the home waste valuable space. Here's how to put those overlooked spots to good use
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
The ideal home is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional. The former is best achieved through your favorite decor, and the second by maximizing your space efficiently. This means taking into consideration every nook and cranny — including your corners.
Corners can be overlooked when it comes to designing, but by taking advantage of a corner’s potential, you can maximize the functionality of your home. Whether you need a home office, a spot to hide the toaster or an accessible place to stock wine during a party, the corner may be just the solution.
Corners can be overlooked when it comes to designing, but by taking advantage of a corner’s potential, you can maximize the functionality of your home. Whether you need a home office, a spot to hide the toaster or an accessible place to stock wine during a party, the corner may be just the solution.
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| Taking advantage of corner space can increase function in a variety of ways. A banquette built into the corner of a kitchen maximizes seating, and it's great for large families or entertaining. |
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| The kitchen isn’t the only space that can benefit from built-in corner seating. Consider adding a custom bench to your living room, particularly if your space is on the smaller side. A streamlined design, like the one in this photo, decreases the bulk of freestanding furnishings and helps to open the space. |
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by Kia Designs
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| There are a few corners in your home that might have gone unnoticed, like the one where the underside of your stairs meets a wall. This could be the perfect place to incorporate a small home office area. |
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Recessed spaces also might slip past your attention. Instead of letting these corners fall to the wayside, transform them into something useful, such as cozy seating nooks with benches. This living room is now much more open to entertaining with the addition of extra seating space.
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Make the most out of your mudroom by turning the corner into a storage area. Complete it with cupboards, drawers, hooks, shelves and benches to cover a variety of needs. With each season comes a bounty of stuff, so you’ll be glad to have plenty of room to hide it.
Sometimes, an extra drawer and a chalkboard are all you need to feel a little bit more sane. Create a built-in nook like in this example to keep track of notes on the board or loose-leaf papers in the drawer.
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Consider what opportunities lie inside of your corners. Is it possible you could carve out a niche like in this example? You could turn it into a home office, a bar or simply a space to corral toys. If such a renovation is within your budget, it could prove to be a lifesaver.
We all know there can never be enough storage in the kitchen. Maximize it by taking advantage of every corner, including those found on your island. Add a small cupboard or simple shelving to create additional spots to store things.
by Laurie Burke
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While we love our appliances, they don’t necessarily need to be in plain sight. Hide them by building a little storage nook in the corner of your countertop.
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Think the concave corner presents the only opportunity for transformation? No way. The convex corner proves just as useful with the addition of a small counter and stools, creating a cozy nook for breakfast or coffee.
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Not all corner transformations require built-in additions or renovations. A reading nook is a classic use of a corner space, and with good reason. All you need is a comfy chair, good lighting and ideally a side table to hold books or a glass of wine, and you’ve got yourself a cozy corner.
It can be tricky to determine a piano’s placement in your space, but a corner can often be the best bet. This gets it out of the main area of your living space, and lets the corner become dedicated to music. Take the look further by adding shelving to the corner (either built-in or freestanding) for an intimate library feel.
by Kasey Buick
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Have you been trying to find the perfect place to stock spirits for entertaining? All you truly need is a free corner and a bar cart. Accessorize your refreshments with knickknacks or fresh flowers, and your corner will become both functional and visually appealing.
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| Never underestimate furnishings built for corners; they can become your space-saving best friends. In small dining rooms, consider a corner cabinet for your dishware collection. This leaves the walls open for other pieces, such as a large mirror to help further open the space. |
| Get clever with your bed placement by pushing it into the corner; depending on your layout, it may improve the general flow of your space. This custom L-shape headboard keeps seating flexible and has a very sophisticated appeal. |
Add a small shelving unit and fill it with your favorite goodies. Sometimes filling a corner with beautiful items is the best way to make use of the space.
More space-maximizing ideas
More:
Clever Ways to Maximize Space
More space-maximizing ideas
More:
Clever Ways to Maximize Space
Comments
msjayque I'm loving the piano corner with the book cases and the penultimate picture with the bed.That one is my favourite!!
13 months ago · Like
jule Was hoping to see what people have done with the awkward corner created by a first floor curved stair meeting the second floor
13 months ago · Like
Clare White - Clockwise Design Great ideas!
13 months ago · Like
SlidingBits slippery wonderful collection of ideas, has my head buzzing with some makeover plans.
3 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on April 16, 2012.
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