Conservative economic times call for creative solutions. Not everyone can afford
to build on a new room or completely renovate an existing home, but with some
innovative thinking, you may be able to turn a poorly used or neglected space
into a functional and attractive nook. • Take a good look around your house. See that wasted corner of your bedroom? Or
the niche, filled with dust and cobwebs, under the stairway leading to the
basement? What about that extra closet in the hallway that has become a secret
hiding place for everything you’ve been looking for over the last two years? Once you actually see all these
spaces, you will realize that your house may not be as limiting as you
originally thought.
Awkward Alcoves
Many older homes have alcoves that are awkward to use, often with that corner of
the bedroom, family room, or living room that just doesn’t fit with the traffic flow and becomes wasted space. Visualize that bedroom
corner as a dressing area, with a full-length mirror and a chair or bench that
serves as a seat for putting on shoes. An armoire can act as an additional
closet space, while a vintage coat hanger or simple wall hook can hold clothes
waiting to be tried on.
Turn that kitchen alcove into a small breakfast area with two benches and an
appropriately scaled table. Lift the bench seats to find additional storage for
placemats, tablecloths, and napkins. A corner of the family room can be
transformed into a game room with a table and two or four chairs with a set of
shelves nearby to hold family-night games like Monopoly, Clue, or checkers. And
who wouldn’t love a cozy reading room right off the main area of the living room or
bedroom? Just add a comfy chair and shelving or a cabinet containing some
favorite books. Don’t forget the lighting sconce to read by. Want to turn that space into a reading
area for your child? Replace the adult chair with a brightly colored beanbag
chair and add a fun lighting element. Neatly pile the books on a short table or
shelf or even on the floor for easy access.
Window Nooks
Window nooks have been popularly turned into window seats for years. They
provide an excellent space to watch the snow in winter or discover new blooms
in spring. Window seats can also serve a completely practical purpose with
additional storage located under the seating area. A deeply extended window
seat can be converted into a cozy bed by creating a sturdy base with cabinetry
and topping that with a twin mattress. Hang a rod and curtains to contain the
area, and it becomes a wonderful guest sleeping nook in a room that might
routinely function as an office.
Instead of giving up on your hopes for more space, find it in unusual spots in
your existing home. Often, with very little work and expense, you can exchange
an uninviting, dull, and useless area for one that’s appealing, exciting and advantageous—one that provides features you never even knew were hiding in your newly
spacious home. Written by Carolyn M. Runyon.
