Want to make the most of your alcoves? Discover how to make the most of these awkward corners and transform them into chic focal points.
Amthal Karim, Head of Design at Furniture And Choice comments:
“Alcoves are often underutilised parts of the home - and we can understand why since they can be found in awkward corners and nooks. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. With many homes throughout the UK retaining their period features like a chimney breast or alcove, it’s the perfect opportunity to transform these little nooks into stylish corners and spaces that fit into the flow of your home.
Once you’ve decided on which alcove you want to transform, planning is essential. Ask yourself if the alcove fits into the function of your room. For example, an alcove in a hallway is ideal for storage or display area while an alcove in a quiet corner of a room is great for a home office area or reading nook. With the right planning and know-how, your alcove will be a mixture of functionality and designer style.
So how do you make alcoves stylish (and not just practical)? If you live in a period home, it’s all about giving your space a modern touch while making the most of your space. Introducing an arch or wall slats will give your alcove a designer touch. Arches help break up the sharp lines of the room while if you add wall slats, you only need to add them to a portion of the wall depending on the width. It’s also important to think about the size and proportion of your alcove. For example, if you want to turn your alcove into a dressing table area you should install floating shelves and drawers if it’s too tight to fit a full table. All you need to complete the look is a stylish chair or stool and you can start getting ready for your girls' night out.
If you’re adding shelving to your alcove, curating is important. Choosing accessories and ornaments that complement each other is the key to getting started. Pick a theme for your display like curved shapes for your ornaments or themed photographs. You can also transform the alcove into a cosy book nook with all your favourite novels in one place.
Besides the structural updates, colour is another way to give your alcove a facelift. If you’re in the mood to experiment, try playing around with different shades of one colour. For example, if you choose blue, paint the surrounding walls a light blue tone and a dark blue tone like navy for the alcove to accentuate the shelving. You can also do the reverse where you paint the alcove a lighter tone and the walls a darker tone. Or you can try your hands at colour drenching where you paint walls and ceiling the same colour. This will create a stylish and seamless look and tie the whole room together.
Since alcoves are often found in curved corners or awkward recesses of the home, they don’t receive much natural lighting. So it’s a good idea to invest in lighting inside and around your alcove if necessary. You can install lighting if you have an alcove by placing the lights above the shelving or introducing lighting around it. For example, if you have created a reading or work-from-home corner adding an oversized task lamp may be just what you need to brighten up the area.
For more ideas, read our guide on alcove interior ideas to achieve this look at home.”
