Five Ways to Revive Your Dull Corners
Sourced From: Three Salt Design Co. Orange County.
These effective tips will have you filling awkward and empty spaces across your home and transforming them into modern havens.
Adjusting the painting you step back from your masterpiece, only to realise that one tiny nook you have yet to style, has become an ocean of plain white wall.
Negative space can create a chance to give your room balance and can bring positive elements into full focus. We see this in designs where it can highlight feature items, provide asymmetry, open paths and create perfect patterns. Therefore, some negative space is essential to the design of a space, so fully consider this before filling the space and wonder whether it will complement your home or make it feel cluttered.
Here are five spaces that make use of dull, empty corners and replace negative space with useful and inviting designs, that make these homes worth living in.
Mudroom
Sourced From: Three Salt Design Co. Orange County.
This American addition is traditionally used as a home’s casual secondary entrance and is dedicated as a space to remove muddy boots, coats, and wet clothing before entering the main house.
Often, these spaces provide extra storage and ensure the main areas of the home stay clean and tidy. The little nook beside your stairs or front door can be enhanced with a bench seat and easy pull-out drawers to hide your messy shoes. This contains your messy outwear to a specific spot in your home, easy to put on and take off before coming in and out of your home. To get this look, shop our OptiMatt PET board in White and create your very own mudroom.
2. Study Nook
Sourced From: Atlas Architects. Melbourne, VIC.
If you don’t have a study space or even a drop zone, this the perfect way to integrate this space into your home. It’s especially important in a kitchen near your entrance or your kitchen, since these are places where you can easily dump and pick up items you need on your way out of the house.
The study above shows the perfect way to integrate a small study zone near your kitchen, that can have multiple uses throughout your homes lifetime. It blends the same materials from the kitchen into a seamless addition. The integrated cabinetry and open bench space makes this an easy space to finish some work and organise all your stationery. Situated next to the kitchen is an ideal area, as you can supervise children or easily get up to make a cup of coffee with limited distractions.
3. Breakfast or Bar Station
Sourced From: Noz Design, Colin Price Photography. San Francisco.
Fill out space in your kitchen, dining room or any entertaining space by incorporating the station of your dreams. Whether it’s a built-in breakfast nook, coffee station or bar it to be can be an easy way to confine the items you use the most.
The image above becomes a statement in a simple and elegant San Francisco living room. Decked out with copper fixtures and vibrant blue cabinetry, this wet bar is the perfect space to stir up a cocktail or store all your cold treats for the perfect movie night.
A breakfast bar is the best way to keep the kids clear from the main kitchen. Redirecting morning traffic with a drop and go station can make your mornings a breeze. Equip the space with a toaster, kettle and microwave to service all breakfast needs. If you need a coffee fix, and your prized coffee machine takes up too much space, designate this as your station. Fill the drawers with your favourite blends and biscuits to get your sip on any time of the day. The integrations are limitless with this space filler, especially if you have the perfect spot for it.
4. Reading Nook
Sourced From: Light Locations. Barnes, England.
Nothing is better on a winter’s day, than curling up with a hot drink and good book. Broaden your knowledge and replenish your soul with this beautiful reading nook.
The built-in shelving doubles as a decorative piece and functional storage option. If you’re tight on space, a simple bench seat with storage beneath will fulfil all your day bed dreams. The warm timber bench and soft textures make the space feel warm and homey. Ensure you have ample lighting for any time of the day, the bench seat above has recessed down-lights and is positioned next to a window so that there is reading light all day long.
5. Hidden Laundry
Sourced From: Fuchsia Interiors. Brighton East, Melbourne, VIC.
This laundry has the space of luxury, with integrated storage and opening doors this is the perfect hidden laundry. If your space is smaller, ensure you have the essentials.
Bi-fold or pocket doors may be your best bet if you have limited floor space for doors like the ones above to swing out too. Stack your washer and dryer, or get a combination appliance to help compact the space. If you have room, create hanging space with a rail along a bare wall, this helps the ironing and steaming process. Euro laundry’s are compact and blend seamlessly into any spot in your home. Most often positioned away from bedrooms and close to your kitchen to maintain the flow of your home, however they can often be hidden in hallways to take advantage of unused space.
Plus we love that once the doors above are closed, this spot becomes the perfect way to create a feature wall out of beautiful joinery.
6. Feature Walls
Sourced From: schemes & spaces. Sydney, Australia.
A feature wall is the easiest way to transform a space, a splash of paint and voila!
However, many are elevating this common hack and using board and batten or shiplap to add texture and style to their space. Combine storage and a feature piece, with this little trick. Use one finish across the whole wall, including the doors and make them blend into the wall. You can amplify this method by adding timber and slating to the doors, to add texture and tone into the space. Hidden rooms and cupboards add excitement and character to your homes design, even if it is just for a coat closet.
Your turn
Which of these little havens impresses you the most? Drop a comment below or let us know on our Instagram post. Don’t forget, if you’ve renovated with us, we’d love to hear your story and see the final result. Send us an Instagram DM or email us at info@cabinetdoorsonline.com.au.