Today’s post is going to tackle something that plagues every house and every home décor lover – awkward space. Sometimes this space is a long narrow hallway, sometimes a forgotten corner by the doorway, and in some cases even the gap between the sofa and the wall. We’ve all had those moments – standing, looking perplexed, in front of an area in the home thinking “what on earth am I going to put here?” Even at Nell Hill’s, we have these little areas all over the shop and have become experts in both camouflage (not the print of course) and finding creative purposes for these areas that can sometimes be considered a waste of space.
When it comes to narrow hallways, design up not out. Focusing on the floors, walls and ceilings gives you a ton of decorating surface area, without cramping the space. Hallways are a fantastic place to show personality. I think of them as the red-carpet lead-up to the grand show made up of your bedrooms. A colorful rug, a show-stopping light fixture, and an art display can change the entire atmosphere of your home and carry your theme throughout. A wall display I love, especially in kitchen hallways and nooks, is a collection of antique plates and platters instead of traditional art to add depth and interest. Using wallpaper in narrow areas brings color and texture to your space without overwhelming it (and yes, it is ok to use a large-scale pattern in a small space!). If you still find your space to be claustrophobic or overly busy, switch out your art for mirrors. This will reflect the light to give the illusion of a larger space on top of being a gorgeous accent.
What about other nooks and crannies scattered throughout your home? A lot of the same techniques can used in these areas as well, however not all awkward spaces are created equal! Sometimes they pop up in places that you need to utilize. This is where we can really get creative. Transform an otherwise un-used space into a wine nook, displaying those well-designed labels (am I the only one who often appreciates the labels more than the contents of the bottle?). For particularly tricky and small areas look for functional furniture like drop leaf tables that can be moved around and adjusted to fit your space. Not all awkward spaces are small either! In an open-concept home with some dead space around the edges, bringing in functional furniture is a great way to create more purpose in an otherwise un-used space. Turn an area by a garage or side entrance into a mudroom with a built-in bench and cubbies. This keeps the space compact but is still a productive use of square footage.
These are just a few ways to help you make the most of awkward spaces. As is true with most design work, challenges are simply opportunities in disguise and the possibilities are endless! How you handle tricky areas in your home? Share with me on social media using #nellhills and down below in the comments. Happy Decorating!