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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.
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.
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.
To make sure every last corner is in its best shape, decorate the windowsills with plants. This is your chance to display those pretty vases and ceramics.
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.
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 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.
A tall pedestal or column is the perfect thing to put in a narrow or awkward corner. It can give you a place for catch-alls or vases. Thione in an entryway by Corinne Mathern Studio blends right in.
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.
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.
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.
Free wall space makes a great backdrop for a built-in bookcase, or in a kitchen like this on by Reath Design, a place for spices and other pantry goods. This custom corner shelving connects the two walls visually and adds some angular contrast to the round lights.
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.
In a living room or family room, a sectional is the perfect seating option to fit right into a corner. The shape also promotes easier conversation, making it perfect for entertaining and family nights.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
If there's a corner in your home with windows that look out onto a scenic landscape, design your interiors around the view. A cozy wood burning stove doesn't hurt either.
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.
If you're not interested in building shelves or doing something dramatic, here's a simple solution: Add a small tree, which brings dimension, texture, and a much-needed dose of greenery. We love how the plant reflects the sofa's print in this living room by Arent & Pyke.
Turn an empty corner into a small sitting area. A spare attic room with sloped ceilings and a cozy corner is the perfect opportunity to customize guest bedroom. This one designed by Leanne Ford has a curtain separator so it can double as a home office.
Art meets décor meets lighting in this unique corner piece styled by Elizabeth Roberts Architecture & Design. For a similar look, lean two tube lights against the corner wall. An floor lamp of any kind will also do the trick.
Large ferns aren't the only plants worth buying: Small plants have their own quirky charm. To make sure it's not just your floors getting some love, hang a plant high up on the corner wall. We also love the how the folding screen brings dimension into the space and shields the empty corner.
A small breakfast nook like this one designed by Arent & Pyke the perfect way to spruce up an empty kitchen corner. Snuggle a bench or settee right up against the wall, or build a custom booth fit to the shape of your corner. And floating shelves and artwork will energize the walls.
Hanging your clothes in the open can be chic—although it's true that this trick works best in a large, airy, open space. We love the look of this iron clothes rack.
Here's proof that a run-of-the-mill corner can also be a productivity-boosting (and stylish) command station. Get inspired by this desk area designed by Elizabeth Roberts and use your extra space to get organized by building a central spot that fulfills all of your needs. Think phone chargers, a memo board, and useable work space.
A corner is the perfect place for extra storage pieces, like an umbrella bin, coat rack, or corner unit. They're particularly well suited for entryways and mud rooms, where outdoor gear and extra layers tend to pile up.
Dining rooms have some of the trickiest corners to decorate in the entire house. To transform it from a blank white box to a lively space, large-scale armoires and storage units will be your new best friends. In this dining room, Regan Baker Design chose one that that fills the entire wall (it's a great storage solution, too).
A lackluster living room or entryway corner can be transformed by a sculpture or piece of artwork. Even a large-scale and colorful basket propped on the floor makes a big difference, especially when it reflects the tones and moods of the painting above it, as in this space designed by Arent & Pyke.