30 Chic Corner Decoration Ideas for Every Awkward Nook
Making the most of every inch.
Empty corners tend to stick out and make otherwise beautiful rooms look awkward—they're a little like me on the softball field in high school: dead weight, but full of so much potential (except in my case, that potential was limited to the classroom). In fact, no space is complete until all of its nooks are lovingly decorated. And luckily, corner decoration tends to be easy. Sometimes all it takes is an accent chair, a gallery wall, or an indoor plant. So keep reading for 30 stylish corner decorating ideas to polish off every inch of your home.
Set Up a Bar or Coffee Station
If you have a spare corner that also happens to be a tiny linen closet, use it for something fun, like a home bar or coffee station. Incorporate color for a playful surprise when you open the door. Designer Jean Liu lined the backs of the shelves in a mirrored backsplash for an extra pop of glitz. And if you don't have a closet, a decked-out bar cart will do the trick.
A Wine Rack Will Do Too
This freestanding storage piece hits the small-space home bar jackpot. It's slim enough to slide into a corner without blocking any prime usable space, and the minimalist design ensures that it doesn't take up too much visual real estate either. That way, we can focus on the superb lines of this sofa in a living room by ETC.etera.
Make Your Own "Bar Cart"
Fitz Pullins used a small cabinet to prop up barware and hold glasses in this dining room. This is a great alternative for anyone who doesn't want to splurge on a new bar cart and can repurpose an exister dresser or nightstand.
Fill the Corner Cart With Plants
Or, take note of this cheerful sunroom designed by Heather Chadduck Hillegas and adorn your corner bar cart with plants instead of barware. If a door opens up into the room, slide the cart a bit away from the corner so it's in full view (and isn't constantly being whacked).
Give It a Sense of Purpose
Give your formerly unused corner a real sense of purpose by setting up a workstation you'll actually use in it. Always wanted a vanity but didn't have a walk-in closet to put it in? Transform a bedroom corner, like Kate Reid did, with a small desk, chair, lamp, and mirror.
Set up a Vignette
In small nooks, use a few pieces to contribute to the narrative of the rest of the home without making it feel cluttered. Designer Jae Joo used an antique dresser for extra storage and topped it with a few decorative objects and hung artwork behind it for balance.
Hang a Gallery Wall
You don't need a large wall for your dream gallery—a corner works nicely. Use a blank space to create an eye-catching, asymmetric display. For an even more swoon-worthy backdrop, paint your walls in a new color. We're digging this charcoal corner by Elizabeth Cooper Design.
Hang a Chair
Nothing ramps up the fun like a playful touch in the family room. This handsome leather chair in a living room designed by Romanek Design Studio is proves our point. It's the perfect blend of cozy and cool.
Display a Screen
A sculptural folding screen can function like a piece of art, and thanks to the flexible, bendable nature, they're also perfect for customizing to a corner.
Set Up a Place for Odds and Endss
If there's an awkward corner by the entryway, turn it into something useful, like a console or pedestal. Use it to prop up flowers and a catch-all for odds and ends.
Rearrange Furniture
Whoever said minimalism can't be cozy will definitely rethink things when they see this living room by Space Exploration Design. the side table is nestled into the corner and flanked by the sofa for extra surface area to hold accent lighting and artwork.
Install a Corner Shelf
In this small bathroom designed by Corinne Mathern Studios, the tiny shelf transforms an awkward corner (what else would you be able to do with that limited space?) into something stylish and practical. It's just large enough to fit a select few cosmetics or a vase with flowers. Either keep it at the same heigh as the sink, or put it right between the sink and mirror.
Slide In a Vanity
If you have extra space in a bedroom corner, slide up a slim vanity table and stool. It'll be a nice place to perch while you get ready each morning and night. Take note from this bedroom designed by 2LG Studio.
Build a Window Nook
Build out a custom window nook for extra seating but also to give a corner more dimension. In this living-room-family-room-hybrid designed by Tamsin Johnson, the window seat is a great addition since it blends into the background when not in use (those sculptural spherical pillows help), but also provides a cozy spot when the occupant just feels like hanging out.
Lean Found Objects
Whether its an instrument, antique object, or a random found item, simply leaning something against a corner wall can give it so much more personality. In this layered all-white white living room designed by Leanne Ford, texture is everything.
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