Carve Out a Neat Little Nook

Nooks can fit just about anywhere in the house — mudroom or sunroom, kitchen or den. But designing and furnishing a nook can be a challenge. “When carefully designed, I think nooks can add charm, character and warmth to interior architecture of all styles,” says Mark Williams, principal architect of Mark Williams Design Associates. “On the flip side, when designed clumsily they can turn into wasted spaces or clutter catchers.”

Whether you already have a nook in your home and are wondering what to do with it, or are considering adding one, these creative ideas will help you put your nook to work.

Framed by a pediment and flanked by bookshelves, this sunny window seat with steps leading up to it is perfect for escaping to with a mug of hot tea. Bare windows make the most of light and views, and a plump pillow and cozy blanket invite relaxation.

“Creating a cozy, comfortable getaway is really a very romantic notion when you think about it. What is more luxurious than quietly escaping the business of the outside world, even if just for a little while, curling up in a beautiful little gem of a space that is just for you or maybe you and somebody special?” says Williams. We couldn’t agree more.


Accessible only by ladder, this reading nook is a magical spot where kids or grownups can get lost in a book. And just think how easily this sliver of space could have been forgotten. Instead of being filled with dusty decor, it is a useful sitting spot, complete with bookshelves.

“All of us hate wasted space, and if you have a nook with no charm and no usefulness, it usually ends up being a repository for castoffs,” says Williams. “Boxes that never made it to the attic, clothes you’ve been meaning to donate, the exercise bike that you were definitely going to use every day … those things love nooks, too.”

The lesson? Come up with a purpose for your nook. And make it as inviting as possible.

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Because of its small scale, a nook can be a great place in which to experiment with color, pattern and texture. Opulent fabrics and great lighting make this banquette nook the focal point of the room.

Consider what you can add to your own nook to make it feel special — “maybe a bold paint color that you would never commit to in a larger space,” suggests Williams. “Maybe you build in a small wall-to-wall sofa, upholstered in a fabric that’s too expensive to put on a full-sized sofa. Maybe it’s a keyhole-shaped door opening and a barrel-vaulted wood-paneled ceiling.”


In this modern space, a seating nook was built directly into the wall for a simple, sculptural look. Wooden shelves and wood veneer on the back wall bring welcome warmth and texture to the minimalist space.


A nook in the entryway can act as a mini mudroom, corralling coats and shoes, and can provide a seat. A rich wall color, like the plum used here, brings focus to the space.


Small nooks in the kitchen can be quite useful — the key is to have something built to fit the space precisely. Here a small desk and shelving come together to create a handy command station for dropping mail or working on a laptop.


If you want a desk in the bedroom, a nook with a built-in work surface can be a smart solution. When you position the nook wall on the bed side of the room, the desk is nearly invisible from the bed, so you won’t have to look at your work when it’s time to sleep.


This breakfast nook with built-in benches and an arched opening creates a destination within the large kitchen. It’s so much cozier than a regular table and chairs.

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In a small kitchen, a nook with a cushioned seat is an unexpected, romantic touch. And it’s useful, too. Pull up a café table, and it becomes the perfect spot for sipping wine and chatting with the cook, or even enjoying a cozy meal.


Known as an inglenook, a bench around a fireplace provides a welcoming spot for warming up on a chilly winter’s day. In this inglenook plush cushion-topped wooden benches are surrounded by built-in shelving, making it the ideal spot for whiling away the afternoon with a good book.


A larger-scale nook can even house a bed. In this space a built-in daybed acts as seating during the day and as snug guest quarters by night with the curtains pulled shut.


Or perhaps you could turn wasted space under the stairs into a Harry Potter–style sleeping nook. With a nightlight and a curtain as the door, this would make a fun spot for visiting youngsters.


“The perfect nook must possess a certain something that draws you in and makes you want to be there,” says Williams. “Otherwise it’s just a cramped spot that’s impossible to furnish.”

So choose something that captures your imagination — a cupboard under the stairs, a place for hiding with a good book — and you may find that your nook becomes one of your favorite spots in the house.

Tell us: Do you have a nook in your home? Whether you love it or don’t know what to do with it, share a photo in the Comments section.

More: Cozy Book Nooks and What They Want You to Read

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