Too much stuff, not enough space? It’s a problem we can relate to, and sometimes the only solution is to have a thorough clear-out (or move to a bigger house!). Sometimes, though, it’s just a case of making the most of the space you do have and being more efficient and organised. We’ve rounded up some great design ideas and storage suggestions for making the most of those forgotten areas of every room – corners!
Make your corner into a feature
If you’ve got a very small or dark space, then filling the corners with solid furniture will just make it appear smaller and cause the walls to visually close in. Mounting furniture or accessories on the wall, though, so there’s plenty of light above and beneath them, will help preserve the feeling of space. Still to light colours to maximise the light.
This mirrored bedside table or storage shelf, £79.99 from My Furniture, ticks a lot of boxes. It helps maximise space, and the mirrored surface will reflect light back into the room. It has a spacious drawer with a hidden handle to help you tidy bits and bobs out of sight, and you can even stack several units vertically in a line to create a floating storage unit.
Free up space for pictures on other walls with this clever wall clock from Alessi, designed to sit in a corner between two walls. Designed by Giulio Iacchetti, it’s made from thermoplastic resin and clock allows you to view the time even from angles that are not perpendicular to the clock. It costs £65 from Black By Design.
Be efficient with space
TVs can take up a lot of space in a living room. Putting them in a corner not only helps you make the most of the space, but also means they’re less likely to dominate the room.
A purpose-made corner unit, such as this one from Hampshire Furniture, has two shelves and a drawer to house your TV, DVD player and satellite box plus all your remote controls, It’s hand made from a combination of natural solid and veneered oak and pine, and costs £247.
If you’re short on space in your bathroom then this bright comer bin is the perfect solution. It includes an inner retention ring to keep your bin bag in place, and to allow for easy emptying. This would also work well in a home office – just tuck it under your desk so it’s handy. Available in four different colours, it costs £15 from Red Candy.
Small, round occasional tables and stools are also ideal for filling corners, as people are less likely to knock into them.
This Spektor stool, £79 from Swoon Editions, has a lot going for it. Tuck it away in the corner when it’s not in use, and its round top and triangular base mean it will sit neatly in the space. The seat is made from mango wood, while thick slices of iron with a rusted effect form its triangular base and give it an industrial look.
Choose furniture that stacks
In a small space, furniture has to work hard. We like this set of two occasional tables, £199 from Furnish.co.uk. They stack neatly when not in use, and the contemporary space means they’ll sit happily in the corner until needed but also won’t take up much space alongside an armchair when you pull them out. The corners of the table are rounded too, so won’t stick out into the room.
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Some great space saving solutions here. Corners are so underrated.
Some great ideas for stylish corners!
I love these ideas, Rachel. We have a small hallway which we ideally need a bit of additional storage in but don’t know what to buy. I think we could get away with mounting something on the wall … being able to see the floor underneath would stop the cramped feeling, I’m sure.
These are some great ideas for making the most of your small spaces. There’s definitely some creative and still very stylish furniture pieces to assist in this department, as you’ve found. Getting a fresh coat of paint to a room in a neutral and light colour is another way to make the space look larger.