9 Creative Ways to Style All Those Empty Corners in Your Home

Brighten an empty corner in your home with these smart styling tips that make the most of a small space.

No matter where you live or the size of your home, chances are you have an empty corner or two in need of some attention. But where there is blank space, there is also a wealth of opportunity—and you might be surprised by how many ways there are to turn an empty corner into a visually striking space. We turned to expert interior designers to find out how they like to style empty corners, transforming them into spaces that are as functional and welcoming as they are beautiful.

Meet Our Expert

• Liz Williams, interior designer and owner of Liz Williams Interiors

• Debbie Mathews, interior designer and owner of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs

Related: The Area Under Your Stairs Is Brimming With Design Potential—Here Are 9 Ideas to Inspire You

Create a Cozy Home Office

A small corner nook is the perfect place to set up a cozy home office. Opt for a secretary desk or a small traditional desk and add a decorative lamp to make your work space feel warm and inviting. This approach is a go-to for Liz Williams, interior designer and owner of Liz Williams Interiors. "In this empty upper hall corner with beautiful light, we created a small desk area," she says. "Think of function and also form when decorating empty corners that are seen regularly."

Bring Nature Indoors

An empty corner is the perfect place to introduce a little nature to your home. "Consider tucking a plant into a corner," says Debbie Mathews, an interior designer and owner of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs. "In this bright and airy sunroom, we added a draping fern to not only add softness and fullness to the corner but to bring the outdoors in." Plants and natural greenery are truly transformative, breathing new life into any space.

Related: Biophilic Design Is About Connecting With Nature—Here's How to Utilize the Décor Trend In Your Home

Add Extra Seating

In need of a little additional seating? Place a chair in an otherwise empty corner, where it can pull double duty as both décor and an extra place to sit when you have guests over to visit.

"This black leather chair with its simple yet interesting lines was added into the corner of a home office," says Mathews. "It was used to define the corner and ground the two etchings that hang adjacent to it. Don’t be afraid to play with fun colors or prints for a splash of personality and charm!"

Opt for a Statement Lamp

Shed a little light in any empty corner with a beautiful statement lamp. "In this empty corner of a study, we decorated around this antique console with varying textures and materials," says Williams. "A lamp is always a good idea in a corner, and the green Demijohn lamp was perfect here." Placing a lamp in a corner can also help reflect the light into the rest of the room, especially in spaces with light-colored walls.

Related: 3 Types of Home Lighting and How to Layer Them to Create a Beautiful and Functional Room

Choose a Sculptural Chair

If you have a chair that was designed more for viewing than for sitting, an empty corner might be the perfect place to put it on display. "Consider a sculptural chair that adds architectural interest to the space," says Mathews. Sometimes form prevails over function, and that’s just what some corner spaces need!

"In this living room corner, I added an interesting architectural Curule Chair," says Mathews. "This chair with its embossed leather upholstery, curved legs, and brass accents serves as a sculptural focal point to what might have otherwise been a lost corner."

Select a Skirted Table

Skirted tables, once considered entirely outdated, are seeing a resurgence in home décor. "Skirted tables can snuggle into a corner like nothing else," says Mathews. "And the fabric can instantly add softness and pattern to what might be a boring corner."

Skirted tables are a great way to inject color into a room, and the possibilities are endless. “In this living room, we added a skirted table which instantly defined the space with its blue paisley pattern and pleated design," says Mathews. 

Related: How to Decorate a Living Room From Start to Finish, According to Interior Designers

Design a Functional Entryway

Turn an awkward corner by your front door into a functional entryway by adding a small table, a lamp, and maybe even a piece of furniture designed for discreet shoe storage. "In this corner by the front door, we created a stylish vignette that adds light and a spot to drop your keys," says Williams. "Adding flowers or simple greenery is a great way to give life to a corner." If you don’t want the responsibility of a real plant or flowers, faux greenery is also a great option.

Related: 13 Small Entryway Ideas That Make a Big First Impression

Feature an Interesting Vase

What better place to display a tall, unique, or oddly shaped vase than in an empty corner? "In this primary bathroom, I added a pair of tall rounded vases filled with real branches to soften the corner and add height," says Mathews. "The leaves also add an interesting shape and texture." Where these vases might feel overwhelming in a more crowded area, an empty corner allows them to be seen in their full glory. It can also be a lot of fun to style them for every season!

Style a Small Table

Don’t ever be afraid to err on the side of simplicity when styling an empty corner because often, less is more. Adding a small table to a bathroom or bedroom corner with one or two carefully chosen pieces of home décor can go a long way. "In this powder room I added a small oval French table with a brass candlestick," says Mathews. "I like adding something round or oval into a corner to soften the harsh lines that a corner creates. I also liked the idea of adding a stained wood piece into this otherwise green-painted bathroom."

Related: 18 Beautiful Ways to Decorate a Coffee Table, According to Designers

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.