How to decorate an awkward space

Decorating awkward spaces can be one of the trickiest challenges when designing a room. Whether it's an oddly shaped corner, a narrow alcove or an area with irregular walls, these spaces can often leave you feeling stumped on how to make them both functional and stylish.

It’s tempting to overlook these tricky spots, but leaving them empty can make a room feel unbalanced or incomplete, whether it’s a kitchen, living space, bedroom or bathroom. The key to solving the puzzle of awkward spaces lies in finding creative solutions that turn these areas into something purposeful.

With a little imagination and the right approach, you can transform even the most challenging spaces into standout features. In this article, we explore various strategies and ideas to help you make the most of those difficult areas, bringing both practicality and style to your space.

How to decorate awkward spaces

When it comes to awkward spaces, there are two main types to consider: awkward room layouts and dead spaces like alcoves or nooks.

First, awkward room layouts present challenges when it comes to arranging furniture or defining areas. Rooms that are long and narrow or have odd angles can make it difficult to create a cohesive layout. These spaces may feel disconnected or hard to furnish, requiring thoughtful planning to ensure the room feels balanced and functional.

On the other hand, dead spaces are often areas that seem too small or awkwardly placed to serve any clear purpose, such as an unused alcove, an odd corner or a space behind a door. While these areas can be difficult to decorate, they present a unique opportunity to get creative. With the right approach, even these underutilised spaces can be turned into functional and attractive features.

Both types of awkward spaces require a bit of extra thought and creativity, but with the right solutions, they can be transformed into eye-catching elements of your home, adding both style and practicality.

Awkward room layouts

Here are some of the key challenges an awkward room layout can pose, along with suggested solutions:

1. Limited Furniture Placement

The challenge: Oddly shaped rooms often make it difficult to arrange furniture in a way that feels balanced.

The solution: Use modular or flexible furniture that can be rearranged easily to suit a custom room layout. For example, floating furniture away from walls can create a more open, flowing atmosphere. Additionally, using multifunctional pieces, like storage ottomans or fold-out tables, can make better use of the available space.

2. Rooms That Are Too Small for Regular Use

The challenge: Some rooms are simply too small to be used as a traditional living space, feeling impractical for most furniture arrangements.

The solution: Transform the space into a mini-room dedicated to one specific function. For example, turn it into a pantry, a small home office, a downstairs WC or a walk-in wardrobe. Focusing on a singular purpose helps optimise the room’s use without overcrowding it and can add real value to your home.

3. Lack of Natural Flow

The challenge: Rooms with irregular shapes can feel disjointed, disrupting the natural flow of the space.

The solution: Use rugs, curtains, folding screens, furniture or lighting to help define zones within the room. For example, a rug can visually anchor seating areas, while curtains can help create a sense of enclosure in a larger room with irregular sections.

Nooks and alcoves

A small space can sometimes be just as vexing as a large one when it comes to interior design. Here are some common challenges and ideas on how to overcome them:

1. Underutilised Space

The challenge: Nooks and alcoves often feel like wasted space, with no clear function or purpose.

The solution: Turn the space into a functional feature, such as a reading nook, a small desk area or a cozy spot for plants. Adding a chair, shelves or soft lighting can make the alcove feel inviting and useful.

2. Limited Furniture Options

The challenge: Alcoves are often unusual or irregularly shaped, making it difficult to find furniture that fits properly.

The solution: Opt for bespoke storage solutions or custom-made furniture that is tailored to the specific dimensions of the space. Built-in shelving, custom benches or a made-to-measure desk can make the most of the area, ensuring both functionality and style.

3. Lack of Visual Appeal

The challenge: Awkward alcoves or nooks can often feel like they disrupt the room’s design, making the space look incomplete or uneven.

The solution: Use bold wallpaper, a statement piece of art or decorative panels to turn the nook into a feature in its own right. Adding mirrors, bold colours or textured finishes can help the alcove to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the room while adding visual interest.

Awkward spaces don’t have to be a challenge anymore - whether you’re working on a living room, kitchen, bathroom or bedroom, tricky spaces can be transformed with a little creativity. By thinking outside the box and considering how the space can serve a specific purpose, you can turn any awkward nook or irregular room into a functional, stylish feature.

With unique storage solutions, custom furniture and thoughtful design, these once-troublesome areas can become assets, adding both character and practicality to your home. The possibilities are endless!