Turn that awkward space into an added bonus.
Your home is your sanctuary, so every square foot of it should represent your style and fill you with joy. But there are some rooms or spaces that are a challenge to decorate if you have an untrained eye in the art of design. That awkward nook in your home, or that large patch of empty space, might be one of these challenging areas. However, it’s these types of smaller spaces that designers adore decorating because it gives them a chance to flex their creative muscle and design something truly special. Whether you already have a nook somewhere in your home or you’re planning on putting one in, you can (and should!) use these designer looks to create your perfect little corner of paradise.
Nooks, carved out from empty spaces or strange alcoves that the builders put into the wall, are excellent areas to transform into beautiful vignettes. They can be more lived-in spaces, such as reading or breakfast nooks, areas that are only used occasionally, or spaces that are simply decorative. And for proof of that, just scroll down to browse these stunning examples. Whatever use, shape, or style best fits into your home, you’re sure to find some inspiration in these 18 designer nooks. Below, you’ll find every way you can make the most of a creative cranny you can implement to maximize your personal space.
This corner bar nook is perfect for houseguests both inside and outside the home—those outdoors receive drinks via the handy pass-through window on the wall. Designer Jaqui Seerman put in this clever addition to facilitate indoor/outdoor entertaining, since the pool is just outside.
While it’s smaller than the bar nook above, this corner still makes a huge statement, thanks to Marita Simmons and Krysta Gibbons of Kipling House. They used bold finishes—including a burl wood wallcovering, a merlot-leather bar top, brass banding, and stone shelves—to convert this closet into a chic home bar.
In this “Jill and Jill” bathroom designer Cara Fox put in a darling vanity nook in between the two larger vanities. Two sisters share this space, and as they get older, they’ll love all the counter space available to them as they get ready in the mornings.
When you’re working in a small space, it can be easy to think “less is more” is the mantra to follow so that the area doesn’t feel crowded. But designer Sasha Bikoff resisted that minimalist urge. Instead, she put a lot of thought into this bookshelf nook, choosing objects carefully to create a beautiful vignette. As long as you still prioritize balance in your interior, especially for a nook, then it doesn’t matter how small a space is.
Transform your entryway into a striking space, as designer Sasha Bikoff did in this home. She wanted it to serve as a sort of color palette cleanser that foreshadows what a houseguest is going to step into in the rest of the home.
This dining room nook is proof that this design feature doesn’t have to equate to “small.” The team at French & French Interiors created a whole restaurant-style dining area and added a mirror above the space to make it feel even larger. If you nook is feeling a bit cramped, try adding a mirror to the wall to make it feel larger.
Designer Jeremiah Brent tucked a little workspace nook to the side of the stairs in this L.A. home. It’s compact and clean with a custom marble desk and elegant cabinetry—the perfect space to elevate boring daily tasks.
An odd alcove in the son’s room of this home was transformed into a little desk area by designer Kelly Hurliman. She used a marble remnant as the desktop and leftover flooring planks as shelving, ensuring every square inch of this property was utilized.
There are nooks all over this California home by designer Rita Chan, but this arched one in the playroom is just adorable. It was converted from a closet, and Chan added a blue color blocking to the wall that continues into the nook to further define the space.
The daughter’s bedroom in this project by Of Place Studio has a fun bed nook with built-in storage that’ll only get more useful as the child ages. This is such a unique use of space—we love that it creates a little sleeping cave that’s perfect for bedtime.
If your dining nook is oddly shaped, do what Samantha Stathis Lynch of Samantha Ware Design did in this home, and add in a custom banquette. It’s sunny and bright and looks amazing in the natural lighting, bringing more happiness into the home.
In between two guest bedrooms lies this moody sitting nook which also leads to a game room. Designer Tanya Smith-Shiflett transformed this previously unused space into an entirely new hangout area, also called the “whiskey room.”
When in doubt, put in a stylish accent chair. That’s what the team at Studio Munroe did in this bedroom. Taking advantage of this awkward nook, they added a chair, lamp, and throw pillow to make a comfy sitting area.
Designer Alexandra Kaehler carved out this corner for a sweet breakfast nook—but she also used this built-in space to display the homeowners’ beautiful plate collection. It’s like a built-in gallery of your favorite things.
Related Story: How to Style a Plate Wall Like a Designer
This nook is truly the cat’s meow! Designer Kelly Ferm remodeled this closet as a personal space for her client’s feline friend. There’s a kitty-size cutout to offer the cat privacy when using the litter box, keeping those sights (and smells) away from the people-size areas.
Related Story: 12 Closet Remodel Projects That Will Transform Your Space
You don’t need a laundry room when you can have a laundry nook. Eden Passante of Sugar and Charm turned this coat closet into a wash-day space that provides just enough space for folding and storage.
Related Story: This Very Popular Laundry Detergent Has Been RECALLED Over Bacteria Concerns
What was once the walk-in closet of a guest bedroom is now a mini library. Alicia Hassen of Brooklinteriors added a bench and built-in shelves to this reading nook that “looks like it has been there since the home’s inception,” she says.
Related Story: Here‘s What to Do With Those Awkward Spaces in Your House, According to Designers
In this boy’s room, designer Benni Amadi turned a closet into a tree-fort-inspired hangout. Though it’s small, this private nook is the perfect size for any teenager to hide away to read, study, or play video games.
14 Countries That Give Citizenship to Homeowners
5 Timeless Paint Colors That Are Always in Style
6 Stylish Ways to Display Your Family Photos
“Burrowcore" Is the Latest Cozy Design Trend
