1. MAKE YOUR ALCOVE SHELVING MULTIPURPOSE
When used to their full potential, alcoves can be such an asset to a room, especially when space is tight as they really allow to maximize on that vertical space. 'Some people struggle with awkward alcoves, but we see them as a bonus - there’s so much potential in these areas! They do not only give you extra storage space, but an opportunity to showcase your personality in your home.' says Jen from Interior Fox.
2. CONSIDER THE SHAPES OF YOUR SHELVING
In most alcoves, the go-to shelving is floating shelves that run across the entire space, and while this is a really easy look that suits so many rooms and styles it's not the only option. The shelves you choose and how you hang them can add interest before you've even started filling them.
3. PLAY WITH HEIGHTS AND SCALE
When it comes to styling your alcove shelving, no matter what room it's in, the key to creating a design that's eye-catching and memorable is variation. As you are styling just keep stepping back and looking at how the lines look, ideally, there shouldn't be any clean lines, your eye shouldn't be settling on anything, more moving around the display.
4. FILL A NARROW ALCOVE WITH PICTURE LEDGES
Narrow alcoves can be tricky to decorate, they aren't deep enough to be used for any substantial storage, so instead, fill them with picture ledges and display a collection of prints. Again, that same variation in height applies here too you want to avoid arranging your frames so they all sit on the same level. Try layering them to add even more interest, and for a more eclectic look mix and match the frames too.
5. ADD ALCOVE SHELVING TO A COZY READING NOOK
How lovely is this use of alcove shelving? Adding a mini home library to a cozy window seat. Not only does it look stylish, but it's also a practical use of what would otherwise be a dead space. ' Shelving is practical and pretty and provides great space to display a curated selection of personal items to great effect. There are so many ways it can be used to provide useful storage space in the home.' explains Saskia Howard, Creative Director of Howark Designs.
6. CREATE THE ALLUSION OF DEPTH WITH MIRRORS
Using mirrors to 'expand' space is the oldest interior design trick in the book, but they can also work well in alcoves not only to make the room feel larger but to add depth to the shelving too. We love the display of ceramics in this grey bathroom, they feel so wonderfully out of place, so unexpected and yet it works to add texture to a room that can be so hard to bring in any real character due to their very practical nature.
7. BLEND ALCOVE SHELVING INTO THE WALLS
In rooms where space is tight, like in this small living room, alcoves can often work best when they blend into the room. Painting your alcoves and shelving the same color as the walls stops the space from feeling broken up, there's a cohesive flow that distracts from the dimensions of the room making it feel bigger.
8. MAKE ALCOVE SHELVING A FEATURE WITH CONTRASTING COLORS
Or if you want your alcoves to in fact stand out in the room and be more of a focal point, instead of matching them to the walls, paint them in a contrasting shade. We love the combination of blush pink and deep navy, they balance each other so well. And in general dark colors are great for alcoves as they really make colors pop, for more than a neutral backdrop would do.
9. DISGUISE A TV WITH ALCOVE SHELVING
Alcoves in living rooms were made for TVs, they might be features in period properties, but it's like they were designed to house this bulky piece of tech. When it comes to disguising a TV alcove shelving is perfect for distracting from the screen and making it less of a focal point in your space.
10. TURN YOUR ALCOVE INTO A HOME BAR
Because alcove shelving can be so much more than just extra storage or a pretty display, use that space to create a home bar. You could pinch this idea and do bar/music set up, with your drinks cabinet being home to your speakers or record players. Or simply fill up your shelves with beautiful bottles and pop a drinks trolley underneath for your bar accessories.
11. OR MAKE IT A SPACE FOR WORKING FROM HOME
This is such a clever alcove shelving idea, we could all do with the extra space to work from home, and for so many of us, a dedicated home office is a luxury. So instead make your alcoves work extra hard and turn them into a work spot. Use shelving to display and store any home office essentials and decor so the space reflects your style and then use the bottom shelf (you might want to do slightly wider than the others) as your desk.