Almost every home has a corner that nobody uses. It might be beside the window, at the end of the hall or in a spare bedroom. It gathers dust, bags and things that have no home. Yet a corner is a small piece of space with real potential, and making use of it can make the whole room feel bigger and better organised.
Ask what you would like
Before you move anything, decide what the corner could give you. Would you like somewhere to read, a spot for a plant, a place to have a coffee on your own, a small desk or a play area for the children? Choose one purpose only. A corner with a single job feels calm, whereas one that tries to do everything soon becomes cluttered again.
Look at the light. A corner near a window suits a reading chair or a plant, while a darker one may be best for a cosy seat with a lamp. Think also about who will use it and when. A spot for an early morning cup of tea needs a different arrangement from a place where children draw in the afternoon.
Build it from what you have
Bring in a chair from another room and turn it slightly towards the room rather than into the corner. Add a lamp from elsewhere in the house and a small table, which could be a stool, a box or a pile of large books. A rug, even a small one, marks the area as a separate place. A blanket over the arm of the chair makes it feel ready to use.
Add one thing that gives the corner character: a picture leaning against the wall, a mirror to bounce the light around, or a plant on the floor. Do not add more than that. The purpose of the corner should be clear at first glance. If the corner is meant for reading, keep a small basket of books beside it and nothing else.
Try the corner for a couple of weeks. If you use it, it has earned its place. If not, change the purpose or move things about until it works. Even a small corner can become the part of the house you enjoy most.
