Decorating
Time to Give That Nook Another Look?
Make that alcove more inviting with fresh art, new pillows or a good tidying up
Nooks are one of those features that often become a favourite place in the house. But they can leave us puzzling over exactly what to do with them. If you have a nice nook to work with, lucky you! But if yours isn’t that inviting, it’s time for a revamp. One or two of these designer ideas could be just the thing to inspire a reinvention.
Go big with art
Small spaces love large-scale artworks. A piece that takes up most of the wall draws the eye to this room recess.
Small spaces love large-scale artworks. A piece that takes up most of the wall draws the eye to this room recess.
Cover it with chalkboard paint
A dining nook is a prime spot for art you can switch out, whether it’s a menu or kids’ doodles. Just be sure the bench below is covered in a fabric that’s easy to wash – it will be challenged by chalk dust and little feet.
A dining nook is a prime spot for art you can switch out, whether it’s a menu or kids’ doodles. Just be sure the bench below is covered in a fabric that’s easy to wash – it will be challenged by chalk dust and little feet.
Layer in wallpaper
Nooks are a great place for an accent wall-covering or paint colour. If it’s in a small workstation like this one, you’ll be staring straight at it, so choose something that inspires you and makes you happy to be there.
Nooks are a great place for an accent wall-covering or paint colour. If it’s in a small workstation like this one, you’ll be staring straight at it, so choose something that inspires you and makes you happy to be there.
Tie it into the rest of the room
In this work nook, fabric-wrapped corkboard coordinates with the valance fabric and provides a place to hang children’s art, to-do lists, and important documents and bills that need attention.
Super-practical walls with flair
In this work nook, fabric-wrapped corkboard coordinates with the valance fabric and provides a place to hang children’s art, to-do lists, and important documents and bills that need attention.
Super-practical walls with flair
Make everything neat and organised
This couple’s Boston living room also has to serve as a workspace and is within view all the time. A neat desk surface, hidden paper storage in the adjacent cabinets and pretty storage boxes keep this hardworking nook looking living room-appropriate.
This couple’s Boston living room also has to serve as a workspace and is within view all the time. A neat desk surface, hidden paper storage in the adjacent cabinets and pretty storage boxes keep this hardworking nook looking living room-appropriate.
Fluff it up
Turn your nook into the place where you’ll start to read – and then succumb to a power nap within about 10 minutes. Fluffy pillows and a faux fur throw make this bedroom nook hard to resist.
Turn your nook into the place where you’ll start to read – and then succumb to a power nap within about 10 minutes. Fluffy pillows and a faux fur throw make this bedroom nook hard to resist.
Consider first impressions
If your entryway has a nook, think about what you want it to convey to your visitors – it’s the first impression your house will make upon guests. For example, this one says, ‘I appreciate bright open space, enjoy the unexpected and organic, and I still know how to rock a floral print.’
If your entryway has a nook, think about what you want it to convey to your visitors – it’s the first impression your house will make upon guests. For example, this one says, ‘I appreciate bright open space, enjoy the unexpected and organic, and I still know how to rock a floral print.’
Curtain it off
Back in the days before climate control, heavy drapes were a good way to keep drafts out of nooks. Now they’re a fun throwback that can introduce print, pattern and colour into a space. You also can draw them when you want to feel extra cosy and private.
Back in the days before climate control, heavy drapes were a good way to keep drafts out of nooks. Now they’re a fun throwback that can introduce print, pattern and colour into a space. You also can draw them when you want to feel extra cosy and private.
Change up the upholstery
Throw pillows are the easiest way to switch out the vibe in your nook. Here, they add cheery colour to the kitchen. It’s also easy to have a bench cushion cover made in a different fabric if you’re yearning for a change.
Get bespoke upholstery done right
Throw pillows are the easiest way to switch out the vibe in your nook. Here, they add cheery colour to the kitchen. It’s also easy to have a bench cushion cover made in a different fabric if you’re yearning for a change.
Get bespoke upholstery done right
Shed new light
If you want to draw attention to your nook, give it some sparkle with a lovely chandelier, as shown here. If you want to make your nook more comfortable for reading, choose wall sconces that provide ample light.
TELL US
How have you decorated your nook? Please let us know in the Comments.
MORE
Cuddle up with more cosy nooks
If you want to draw attention to your nook, give it some sparkle with a lovely chandelier, as shown here. If you want to make your nook more comfortable for reading, choose wall sconces that provide ample light.
TELL US
How have you decorated your nook? Please let us know in the Comments.
MORE
Cuddle up with more cosy nooks
Just because you have a nook in the kitchen doesn’t mean it has to be a dining nook by default. If you have a built-in banquette or dining bench and find that you aren’t having many meals there, make it a spot where you can put your feet up and relax with your morning coffee, afternoon tea or Sunday paper. Adding a small side table or cocktail table will give you a place for your beverage, phone or whatever else you need close at hand.
Browse a collection of breakfast nooks