Do you have a space in your home that you just don’t know what to do with? It’s that spot that is not quite big enough to be its own room but too large to do nothing with. Perhaps it has little natural light and seems in limbo between other rooms.

So just how do you optimise and style those awkward spaces? Here are five tips from interior designers.

1. Assess your home for spaces that need some love

Take a good look through your home to identify under-utilised areas that you normally pay no attention to. It could be the void under a staircase, or an awkwardly sized wall between two windows. For the void under the stairs, you could create some amazing storage or even create a small reading nook by adding an armchair or a bench seat that neatly tucks underneath when not in use, along with some nice shelving to display books.
For the awkward wall between two windows, consider adding a small floating shelf and some artwork.

2. Give the space a purpose

Consider functionality as well as aesthetics when assessing your awkward space. Perhaps your space lends itself to a compact study area or a media nook where family members can plug in their digital devices – the perfect 21st functional use of an awkward space.

3. Use the power of paint

Given that most awkward spaces in the home attract little natural light, it is a good idea to get creative with paint to combat this. Introducing a feature wall in a study nook is a great way to use colour to highlight the space and help add a distinction between other spaces in the home. If the space is quite dark, adding a lighter, cooler colour can help brighten it up while also creating the illusion that the space is a bit larger than it actually is.

4. Look for smart furniture

When it comes to furnishing small awkward spaces, take the time to measure the dimensions and physically look at items of interest in-store rather than buying them online. Don’t forget to bring your tape measure when shopping for the right furniture piece. It is also a good idea, where possible, to look for furniture items that lend themselves to having a dual purpose. For example, a bench seat can be used in a small entryway for seating, but can also be used to store shoes underneath.

5. Style it to perfection

Soft furnishings and artwork will add the finishing touch to the solution for your awkward space. A rug, a beautiful painting or photo, a feature wall, a statement mirror (always an effective style hack for creating the illusion of space) or a plant, and clever, decorative lighting will help define the zone you are creating and give it a warm, welcoming ambience.