Architecture: 9 Clever Ways to Use Recessed Space
If you’re looking to make the most of your wall space, consider using niches and nooks in one of these nifty ways
Andrea Von
30 July 2015
Formerly editor at thegreenhubonline.com and Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm passionate about sustainability, innovative architecture and clever design.
Formerly editor at thegreenhubonline.com and Houzz UK Editorial Staff. I'm passionate... More
Niches or nooks may not be the first things you think of when renovating your home, but they’re a handy way to incorporate interesting and functional design, capitalise on space that might otherwise have been wasted, and simultaneously increase your storage and add visual interest to a wall. Be inspired by these ways you can use recessed space.
Be inventive under the stairs
Under-stair areas are often neglected or are filled with cleaning products and old shoes. The designers of this space have ingeniously turned this dead area into a design statement that increases the storage capacity of the kitchen and squeezes in a little admin desk, too.
If your under-stair area is in your living room or hallway rather than your kitchen, a home office might be more appropriate.
Get 10 more tips on how to make the most of your under-stair space
Under-stair areas are often neglected or are filled with cleaning products and old shoes. The designers of this space have ingeniously turned this dead area into a design statement that increases the storage capacity of the kitchen and squeezes in a little admin desk, too.
If your under-stair area is in your living room or hallway rather than your kitchen, a home office might be more appropriate.
Get 10 more tips on how to make the most of your under-stair space
Add visual variety to a plain wall
A niche can break up a plain wall and add valuable shelving to a minimalist room. This design introduces wood to the walls, which links to the flooring and brings warmth to the space.
Think about what you will use the shelf for – books, framed photos and knick-knacks, tealights – as this will inform the height and depth of the niche you build into your wall.
A niche can break up a plain wall and add valuable shelving to a minimalist room. This design introduces wood to the walls, which links to the flooring and brings warmth to the space.
Think about what you will use the shelf for – books, framed photos and knick-knacks, tealights – as this will inform the height and depth of the niche you build into your wall.
Recess a rail
Guests are sure to be wowed by this staircase. Not only does the recessed handrail leave more space for the thoroughfare, the built-in lighting is visually interesting and doubles up as a design feature.
If a niche like this doesn’t suit the style of your home, other unexpected spots for one might include on either side of the bed to hold lamps or in the hallway as a home for keys.
Guests are sure to be wowed by this staircase. Not only does the recessed handrail leave more space for the thoroughfare, the built-in lighting is visually interesting and doubles up as a design feature.
If a niche like this doesn’t suit the style of your home, other unexpected spots for one might include on either side of the bed to hold lamps or in the hallway as a home for keys.
Supplement another feature
While a niche can be a feature on its own, it can also carry other statement pieces beautifully. In fact, the original purpose of the niche in architecture was to display statues and vases.
In this room, logs are kept conveniently close to the fireplace (which gives it an authentic feel) in a tall, thin niche, making it both a neat storage idea and a slice of interest in the white wall.
While a niche can be a feature on its own, it can also carry other statement pieces beautifully. In fact, the original purpose of the niche in architecture was to display statues and vases.
In this room, logs are kept conveniently close to the fireplace (which gives it an authentic feel) in a tall, thin niche, making it both a neat storage idea and a slice of interest in the white wall.
Put a twist on a standard structure
Niches can serve several functions at once. While the designers of this bathroom could easily have installed any kind of window, the peppering of niches they have chosen allows in plenty of light while maintaining privacy, and creates an interesting feature wall and handy storage. Talk about multi-functional!
Tour a treetop pod in Scotland that uses tiny windows like these
Niches can serve several functions at once. While the designers of this bathroom could easily have installed any kind of window, the peppering of niches they have chosen allows in plenty of light while maintaining privacy, and creates an interesting feature wall and handy storage. Talk about multi-functional!
Tour a treetop pod in Scotland that uses tiny windows like these
Reference other features in the house
The recessed shelving in this room visually breaks up a plain white wall and adds depth to the space. The shelves are also a nice way to tie the room together, as they reference the wood used in the rest of the house.
This works with other materials, too. Why not paper or paint the back of a niche with the same wallpaper or paint used elsewhere?
The recessed shelving in this room visually breaks up a plain white wall and adds depth to the space. The shelves are also a nice way to tie the room together, as they reference the wood used in the rest of the house.
This works with other materials, too. Why not paper or paint the back of a niche with the same wallpaper or paint used elsewhere?
Create a hideaway
Sizeable niches can make cosy spots in which to curl up with a book and a cuppa, and they’re a great way to observe the goings-on of the house from a cosy vantage point.
A niche like this creates extra seating and storage options in otherwise dead space. Accessorise with plenty of cushions and soft lighting for an extra-comfy burrow.
Sizeable niches can make cosy spots in which to curl up with a book and a cuppa, and they’re a great way to observe the goings-on of the house from a cosy vantage point.
A niche like this creates extra seating and storage options in otherwise dead space. Accessorise with plenty of cushions and soft lighting for an extra-comfy burrow.
Maximise storage and surface space
You can never have too much storage space, especially in a small room. Recessed niches like these can be anything you want them to be: bookshelves, places for flowers and collectables, shelving for clothes, spots to display jewellery, or even hanging space if your niche is large enough.
You can never have too much storage space, especially in a small room. Recessed niches like these can be anything you want them to be: bookshelves, places for flowers and collectables, shelving for clothes, spots to display jewellery, or even hanging space if your niche is large enough.
Install where normal storage solutions just won’t do
Do away with shower caddies and bottles strewn around with a simple niche. Shallow ones are ideal for bathrooms, as you don’t want the trouble of rearranging your bottles every time you reach for one in the back row.
TELL US…
Do you have niches in your home? How do you use them? Please share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Do away with shower caddies and bottles strewn around with a simple niche. Shallow ones are ideal for bathrooms, as you don’t want the trouble of rearranging your bottles every time you reach for one in the back row.
TELL US…
Do you have niches in your home? How do you use them? Please share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
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Awesome article. I love how nooks & recesses create visual interest, providing some storage solutions too. A great way to break up an expansive area :)
Small alcoves are perfect for a bar or beverage center.
Great article!
we all need some more storage space!
www.clevercloset.co.uk