Inspiration for the Forgotten Spaces

Nooks, crannies, corners, areas that aren’t currently in use—no matter what you choose to call them, there are likely spaces in your home that are begging for attention.

Whether it’s a corner that’s never gotten a second look, a bare wall in need of dazzling décor, or an empty hallway with potential storage space, there are plenty of ways to take these spaces and recreate them into feature designs that elevate your home’s look. To help you get a better idea of what we mean by, “forgotten spaces,” we’ve curated a few of our favorites that truly add to the beauty and practicality of the homes they exist in. We hope you enjoy each and every unique design, and we encourage you to take a second look at your own home to see what you might be missing. After all, you might just find the space you’ve been longing for has been right in front of you all along!

The Hidden Hallway

Design: LINDA MAZUR  Photography: JASON HARTOG 
Situated in what would likely otherwise be a simple hallway that leads to a bathroom, this hidden laundry area is innovatively built into the wall space thanks to a little creativity. A front-loading washer and dryer prove to be perfectly functional here, while the added storage cabinets above provide room for necessary laundry goods. Cane style bifold doors add a mid-century modern feel to the space and neatly tuck away the appliances when not in use. Bringing some femininity to this laundry room is a touch of greenery, a wicker basket, and a candle—simple but perfectly stylish.

Versatile Variety 

Design: KALU INTERIORS  Photography: JULIE ROW  
Every basement could use an update and what better way to bring yours into the 21st century than with a trendy wet bar? This wet bar, cleverly located behind the leather couch, is a perfect spot to kick back and mix a few drinks. Featuring a small sink and plenty of overhead shelves, this wet bar makes the most of its space with cabinets below the finished countertops. In the corner, tucked under the counter is a mini fridge to store cold drinks. The bar is smoothly integrated into the rest of the room with a mirror set behind the counter to create an illusion of expansion. Natural elements add a layer of texture with potted plants, silver bowls, and vases mingling with earth-toned mugs along the shelves.

Casually Calm 

Design: HIBOU DESIGN & CO.  Photography: MIKE CHAJECKI
Floral wallpaper steals the show in this corner room closet, where previously unused space is transformed into a practical and chic laundry room. A washer and dryer beneath a bright white countertop are tucked away neatly, and a hanging rod built directly into the nook above the cabinets uses space wisely, creating an area to hang clothes. Trendy open shelving offers even more storage while also complementing the overall aesthetic, while a generous amount of light shines on bright white cabinets to lighten up the room. Black cabinet handles pair with dark tile floors and add a sleek touch that makes the overall design feel poised and polished.

Substantial Shelving 

Design: KALU INTERIORS Photography: JENNY LIU
This is a creative way to give your TV room a little extra storage space. Carved out into the wall near the TV are a couple of shelves and space for a cabinet. The cabinet is the perfect place to store extra books, game controls, or DVDs, and it can be used as a shelf to display statement pieces such as the gold wicker basket shown here. The shelf space has been equipped with several built-in flush mount lights to highlight the display of plants and coffee table books, which also add a pop of color to the room with their naturally rich hues of blue and green.

Cozy Coffee Nook 

Design: ANDREA COLMAN  Photography: STEPHANI BUCHMAN
Snugly hidden in the corner of this room, the interior designer has carved out the perfect coffee bar for any living space. This makes for a great break in your work-at-home day because it is set up for a conveniently quick cup of joe to keep you on the grind. Equipped with a built-in temperature-controlled wine cooler, this little wet bar is also great to pop open a bottle of wine in the evening without having to trek all the way to the kitchen, and it keeps all of your drinks in one convenient place.

Modern and Modular 

Design: HIBOU DESIGN & CO.  Photography: DREW HADLEY
What appears to be a simple island counter with high-top chairs quickly becomes a new storage space. Tying in with the sleek modern design of this kitchen, these four cubed shelves make for an easy place to store both living room and kitchen supplies. They’re creatively situated to be tucked under the counter within easy reach of the counter chairs and only an arms-length away from several simple bowls for cereal in the morning and books to read at the counter while you wait for your fresh bread to bake in the oven.

Soft and Suede 

Design: REBECCA HAY  Photography: MIKE CHAJECKI
Updating the traditional bedroom space, this accent chair set in the corner makes for the perfect reading nook. Equipped with a soft linen blanket and a patterned pillow, the chair is set against a standing mirror that gives the room more depth. Adding a bit of gold metal to accent the suede of the chair, the end table features a great place to display a potted plant or, in this case, a book about house plants. The chair is situated near the window, allowing for natural light to illuminate this cozy corner, and a standing lamp is set up in the foreground as an alternative on dark evenings.

Efficient and Effective 

Design: SARA BEDERMAN Photography: MIKE CHAJECKI
This ordinary kitchen space is transformed into a miniature home office with a convenient countertop that is turned into a desk. Once the drawers below the counter have been removed to make room for a chair, this corner of the kitchen becomes a cozy work nook. A wooden wine cabinet is creatively built into the above cupboard space, and a bulletin board has been set up along the wall to construct an efficient space to sit and read or enjoy a cup of coffee while waiting for food to cook.