Nooks & Crannies: Small-Yet-Stylish Spots

By: April 2023, Living in Style

Small spaces offer the perfect canvas for flexing your decorating muscles. You don’t need a large area to create a cohesive look — just designate part of a room and let your creativity soar. We’ve got ideas and inspiration from Berks businesses to help you design your own chic small spot.

FABULOUS FIRST IMPRESSIONS WITH A FOYER

Put a little love into decorating your foyer, and create a lasting impression every time you enter or exit your home. This area of the home provides an ideal opportunity to blend decorating with organizational style. For instance, even if you don’t have a coat closet, you can hang hooks on the wall to keep coats or backpacks ready to grab and go. Depending on your space, you can hang the hooks individually for a custom arrangement. If you have kids, having hooks at child-friendly heights can make it easier for them to hang up their own outerwear.

1. To add functionality and enhance your entryway lighting, experiment with mirrors. “A mirror is always great for small spaces because it reflects light and can help make the space feel larger,” says the team at Finch + Fern. “If natural light is limited, incorporating mirrors helps make use of the light you do have by reflecting it around the room.” Mirrors can also be grouped together in an artful collage arrangement to create the feel of a bigger space. With its lightweight, rattan design, this water hyacinth mirror doubles as wall art ($79.99, Finch + Fern). The neutral material pairs well with any wall color. Besides adding light, mirrors also have the added benefit of providing an extra opportunity to check your look before you head out for the day.

2. Foyers are also an ideal place to display art that brings you joy. This wooden family tree is a delightful way to honor all the people and pets in your household. Crafted by Nicole Kazmierczak of BoomerRang Designs in Shillington, this piece can be customized both in size and the number of hearts ($40). Each heart can be personalized with name of your family members.

3. If coat storage is already being handled by a closet, you may want to turn your mind to more decorative options. A wall-mounted shelf can jazz up your foyer without sacrificing floor space. This lightweight shelf from Finch + Fern has eight dedicated spots for displaying plants, photos or other decorative items ($179.99). You can rotate pieces in and out with ease and change the display for different seasons or whenever you want to refresh the look of your foyer.

4. For a combination of hooks and storage, consider a wall-mounted coat rack. This model has three hooks for coats or bags and a shelf above. You can use the added shelf space for displaying decorative items or add small baskets for corralling keys, sunglasses or sorting mail ($129.99, Empire Home Center).

5. Storage benches can provide a two-in-one way to combine storage and seating while maintaining a small footprint in a foyer. This Ashley bench features a cushioned seat that’s perfect for putting on and taking off shoes and boots. Four small cubbies can be used for shoe storage. Two larger cubbies with wicker baskets offer ample space for stowing hats, scarves and gloves ($249.99, Empire Home Center).

Suite Addition: BEDROOM SITTING ROOM

Give yourself a private hang out spot in your bedroom. You don’t need a massive master to accommodate a cozy, dedicated spot for reading, journaling and tranquil relaxation. Even if your bedroom is on the smaller side, you can get creative and incorporate a bedroom sitting area. “We like to focus on cohesion when it comes to decorating a small space,” suggests the team at Finch + Fern. “Cohesion in color and in style will help to keep the space from feeling cluttered.”

1. If space is at a premium, adding a chair or two can be a flexible option for seating that takes up less space. Since a bedroom sitting area is more personal, it can be a great opportunity to choose pieces that suit your individual style without having to consult the whole family’s tastes. Get funky and experiment with color. For a mod, cheerful look, choose this accent chair in a delightful rosy pink. With its clean lines and cushy seat, it’s the perfect combo of svelte silhouette and comfy relaxing seat ($699.99, Fecera’s).

2. If you have a little more space and want to add a glam movie-star feel, consider a chaise lounge. This Hollywood Regency style chaise comes in a bold black fabric, complete with button tufted accents and shiny nail head trim ($859.99, Empire Home Center).

3. For a similar style in a chair, this luxurious jewel-toned option will add drama and color to your space. This sapphire-blue chair also features shining nail head trim, along with crystal button tufts for a bold decorating statement in a small package ($2,489.99, Fecera’s).

4. A private sitting area is also a great opportunity to play with patterns. This accent chair offers a mesmerizing array of intersecting lines in a teal and cream diamond motif. The sleek design ideal for a comfy seat that doesn’t take up a lot of space ($239.99, Empire Home Center).

5. For an alternative spin on a bedroom sitting area, you could also combine seating and a table. This vanity provides a cushioned bench, along with storage, table space and a mirror ($479.99, Empire Home Center). Two drawers offer plenty of room for makeup, brushes and styling tools. A recessed area under the mirror adds additional storage. The mirror folds down when not in use for even more space-saving functionality and serves as extra table space. Shiny mirrored legs catch the light and add elegance to your bedroom. Besides putting on makeup and accessories, this vanity could double as a quiet spot for journaling or other writing.

6. For those with a little more room, loveseats can also be incorporated into a bedroom sitting area. To make the most of your available space, try adding a loveseat next to your bed or at the foot of it. This mossy green velvet loveseat could be a plush edition to your sitting area. Gold tone metal legs give it height and an airy feel that won’t bog down your space ($1,409.99, Fecera’s).

COZY UP WITH A BOOK IN A READING NOOK

1. If you’re looking to spend more time with a book, treat yourself to a dedicated reading space. You can create a reading nook in a corner of a living room, bedroom or hallway alcove. Depending on your available space, you may want to go with a traditional bookcase if you have a lot of books you’d like to display. For a smaller footprint, consider wall-mounted shelves, such as these reclaimed barn wood boardwalk shelves from Finch + Fern ($39.99 each). These easy-to-install shelves are an ideal choice for boho or rustic décor styles. They can be positioned and angled to fit your space and are perfect for holding your to-be-read books as well as perennial favorites. They can also hold a plant or two to bring some greenery into your space.

2. A comfy chair is a staple element in a reading nook. With its round, plush design, this Cambri chair is ideal for curling up with a book, either on your own or reading with a child. The matching ottoman lets you put up your feet up and relax in total contentment while you get lost in a compelling story ($1,039.99, Empire Home Center).

3. To increase the cozy factor, keep afghans and fleece blankets within easy reach. Consider a blanket ladder for space-saving, decorative storage. Crafted by BoomerRang Designs, this wooden ladder features distressed details and rungs for up to five blankets ($115). You can curate a colorful selection that doubles as functional art.

4. An area rug is another way to define your space and make it extra comfortable and inviting. This charcoal gray rug has soft fluffy shag fibers and is perfect for sinking your toes into ($749.99, Fecera’s). The neutral hue pairs well with all kinds of furniture and décor, and the little flecks of metallic thread provide sparkle, giving your reading nook a festive, magical feel. You can also pile throw pillows on the rug to create a kid-friendly reading spot.

5. Lighting is another key element in a reading nook. Floor lamps incorporate ample light without the need for an extra table. This arc-style lamp provides a soft glow right above the page so you can read in comfort ($279.99, Empire Home Center).

6. When crafting a reading nook, you can also think outside the box and opt for a less conventional space. Even though the kitchen is one of the busiest spots of the home, you can still carve out a relaxing oasis next to this action-packed area. Empire Home Center suggests installing a hidden closest organizer, artfully concealed in a shallow cabinet. These shelves are a perfect spot to stash books and magazines, as well as a charging dock for your e-reader. Add a dedicated chair or pull up one from the kitchen table, and you’re ready to sit back with your favorite magazine or current book. Best of all, tea, coffee and cold beverages are close at hand, so you can sip and read in contentment.

ANYTHING GOES WITH A SHE SHED

She sheds originated as an outdoor building converted into a relaxing retreat. When it comes to decorating, the creative possibilities are endless — it’s really about your personal style and interests. Given this wide creative berth, even if you don’t have a shed, you can still apply this concept to a garage, basement or other room in your home.

1. To start, consider your goals for the space: she sheds can be used as a quiet hangout, a spot to showcase a collection, or a dedicated space for pursuing a hobby. If crafting or hobby activities top your agenda, you may want to add cube organizers to your space. This nine-cube organizer has a rustic sugarberry wood finish and can accommodate bins or baskets for hidden storage ($109.99, Empire Home Center). You can also use these versatile cubes for storing books, art supplies or scrapbooking materials. For yarn crafters, you can stack up your skeins for a colorful display that enables you to see your inventory at a glance. To expand your storage options, you can combine multiple units into a custom arrangement.

2. For space-saving seating that doesn’t skimp on comfort, consider a chair-anda-half. This oversized chair offers room to stretch out, but doesn’t take up as much space as a loveseat ($479.99, Empire Home Center). The neutral hue pairs with any décor and is a perfect for pairing with bright, bold throw pillows.

3. Make the most of your space by adding pieces that do double duty. This storage trunk has a retro vibe and ample room for storage. Use it to corral blankets, games or anything you want close at hand. The sturdy top can double as a coffee table for placing books, snacks or even for putting your feet up ($819.99, Fecera’s).

4. When choosing seating for your she shed, you’ve got lots of options. This wicker chair features a comfy cushion and is suitable for indoor/ outdoor use — perfect for bringing an outdoorsy feel into your design ($1,209.99, Fecera’s). You can add multiple chairs and arrange them to fit your space.

5. Area rugs are a natural fit for she sheds, a practical way to add warmth and comfort to your floor and aesthetic appeal. With its bold design and neutral color palette, this gate-patterned area rug is durable and coordinates with a variety of furniture colors and styles ($359.99, Fecera’s).

6. Cube organizers can also be an awesome way to display collectibles. With its black finish, this eight-cube unit will draw your eye to glassware, sculptures or anything you choose to exhibit. This rectangular design can be placed upright or on its side to fit the needs of your space ($89.99, Empire Home Center).

7. For nature-inspired décor, a live edge table can make an eye-catching addition to your she shed. This timeless trend puts wood’s natural beauty front and center. Created by Andy Kazmierczak, these tables are made from cedar, cherry and red oak and come in multiple sizes ($275- $300, BoomerRang Designs).