Ideas for bedroom alcoves
ways to decorate, design and use nooks and niches |
Bedroom alcove ideas offer a wealth of options for the room’s design. Large versions are the perfect place to locate the bed or seating, while smaller nooks provide space for storage or display.
If they’re an architectural feature of the room, make the most of alcoves when selecting your bedroom ideas, but there’s also the opportunity to add alcoves into a square or rectangular room to create detail and interest as well as to solve practical problems.
Take your cue from our selection of bedroom alcove ideas here and maximize style and storage.
Bedroom alcove ideas
Alcove ideas can exploit everything from the smallest of niches to spaces big enough for furniture in the bedroom, and wall decor can draw attention to them, or make them discreet. These are our favorite bedroom alcove ideas.
1. Highlight an alcove with an accent color
(Image credit: Button & Sprung )
An accent shade will draw the eye to an alcove. Introduce it with bedroom paint ideas or, as here, with headboard ideas like this dark buttoned design.
'Soft neutrals are used to create a calm and uplifting space,' says Adam Black, co-founder of Button & Sprung of this room. ‘Some of our favorite bedrooms feature a neutral color scheme paired with a dark accent color for maximum effect.’
2. Use a bedroom alcove to display artwork
(Image credit: Paul Raeside)
'If your bed doesn't fit into an alcove you can still position it in front of it so it becomes a feature,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, Homes & Gardens. ‘Use the space to decorate with art instead – an alcove creates a perfect frame for it.’
3. Create an alcove with bespoke storage
(Image credit: Original BTC)
Bespoke bedroom storage ideas keep a sleep space clutter-free and calming, but they also offer the opportunity to introduce attractive bedroom alcove ideas.
'This clever design incorporates storage behind the bed, plus it has created an alcove with a built-in bedside and a high shelf,' says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens.
4. Add a secret alcove
(Image credit: ND Studios)
Think bedroom alcove ideas that are concealed to store more without disrupting the room’s peaceful ambience.
'We love a secret corner here at H&G, and what's better than a hidden mini alcove like this fabulous design from ND Studios ,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, Homes & Gardens. ‘You can keep all of your favorite things in here and at the end of day, close it back up and view the beautiful metallic design on the door.’
5.Create a cozy nook in a window alcove
(Image credit: OKA)
Building window seat ideas into bedroom layouts makes the room a private retreat, and an alcove can be the ideal location.
‘If you’re lucky enough to have a window alcove in your bedroom, then you’ve got the perfect opportunity to create a cozy spot in which to curl up and read a book or, even better, watch the world go by,' says Sue Jones, co-founder of OKA . ‘I’d add plenty of cushions to make it feel extra comfortable, plus it’s a great way to bring color and pattern to the room.
Try to pick out shades that match the rest of the space, to create a cohesive look.’
6. Opt for a custom headboard in an alcove
(Image credit: TR Studios)
'A custom-made headboard is a great way to utilize an alcove in the bedroom,' says Tom Rutt, founder of TR Studio . ‘In our project NCH House we created a custom made timber headboard which wraps around the existing chimney stack, utilizing the recesses for storage with bedside tables from a rich, chocolate stained oak.
‘Not only do the headboard and bedside tables provide storage with bedroom shelving and cupboard space, but they also frame the bed creating a focal point in the room. As the drawers were off the floor it also created the sense of a larger and more free-flowing space.’
7. Exploit alcoves to boost light and storage
(Image credit: Future/Brent Darby)
Small or attic bedrooms need to take features such as alcoves and use them to the max. In this bedroom, alcoves either side of a bedroom fireplace have had both storage built into them and mirrors installed on the back walls.
'This trick is ideal in guest bedrooms where space might be limited. A clever bedroom alcove idea like this can help make a space a wonderful place to stay,’ says Andrea Childs, editor, Country Homes & Interiors. ‘This charming bedroom alcove by the window is the ideal spot for reflecting maximum light back into the room.'
8. Opt for a curved alcove
(Image credit: Arteriors)
Think about lines when contemplating bedroom alcove ideas as part of a remodel. 'A curved top is reminiscent of architectural detailing from past eras but translates well into a modern bedroom,' says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, Homes & Gardens. ‘It will also create the illusion of greater height, drawing the eye upwards. Place your bedside centrally within a curved alcove for a curated look.’
9. Create an alcove for a nook bed
(Image credit: Future / Simon Brown)
'Alcoves are a great asset in the bedroom,' say Jen and Mar, co-founders of Interior Fox .
‘They’re a practical and streamlined way to add storage, freeing up floor space, and allowing you to create a clutter-free haven.
‘Make best use of the space by using the bottom part to install bespoke cupboards or drawers, which double up as a bedside table or compact desk. Utilize the top half to let your personal style shine by decorating with prints, ornaments and a selection of your favorite books. The key is to not overfill the shelves for a curated and stylish look that also leaves enough room to add in a bedside light and glass of water.’
You can also divide a bedroom alcove off to create a nook bed, as in the room above, too.
10. Wallpaper the interior of an alcove
(Image credit: ND Studios )
Wall decor is an important factor in bedroom alcove ideas. 'Bedroom wallpaper ideas should include wallpapering the inside of your bedroom alcove to match the rest of the scheme; it will create a more finished feel. Paint the alcove shelves in a color that matches the rest of the room but works as a gentle accent – in this case a pale green,' says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens.
What can I do with an alcove in the bedroom?
An alcove in a bedroom can be used as a niche for storage, a place in which to locate or build-in furniture, as a display area, or as a frame for artwork.
Let the size of the alcove guide your choices: a large recess might have room for a bed, an armchair, or to fit a bench, or could be used to provide space for custom cabinetry. Small alcoves are ideal for shelves or to hang pictures.
Should alcoves be symmetrical?
Alcoves are often symmetrical – think of those either side of a chimney, for example – but this isn’t necessarily the case and, especially in older homes, you may think they are symmetrical until you measure and discover otherwise.
If you are creating alcoves in a bedroom either side of the bed, symmetry is desirable, echoing the symmetry of the room’s central feature. But in decorating shelves within alcoves, balance without perfect symmetry can be a more interesting approach.
32 Alcove ideas to help you transform an awkward space
(Image credit: Future PLC)
An alcove is something you never think about until you have one and then realise how frustratingly awkward they are to style.
Typically caused by a chimney breast protruding out into the centre of a room, this awkward recess can make the room feel smaller. But, game-changing alcove ideas will turn this into a practical and stylish space.
Knowing what to do with these nooks can be a head-scratcher and lead to generic shelves being put up as a form of storage within your living room ideas. These types of cubbyholes are often found in period properties, but they are not the only type of recess people struggle with.
Extensions and renovations can cause some tough navigating around newly created alcoves or under-stairs areas. However, instead of ignoring these recesses, make them work for you with clever design tricks.
‘If you’re lucky enough to own an alcove at home, then it’s important to show it off and accentuate it as much as you can. Alcoves are currently trending, and there is an endless range of ways to style them,’ says Rebecca Drury, co-founder of MissPrint .
Alcove ideas
Instead of seeing an alcove as a hindrance, think of it as a chance to take on a new styling challenge.
An alcove is also a clever way of adding much-needed extra space and storage to your rooms such as your small bedroom ideas.
‘If the space feels dark, a mirror can help to open it up and introduce light and fluidity to a neglected corner. Something with an organic shape can help counteract the boxy effect of a square alcove. For a more practical touch, a small occasional table or console table can provide much-needed storage. Add an occasional lamp for mood lighting and tie the corner into the rest of the room by echoing colours or shapes found in your main décor, with vases, prints or other trinkets,’ advises Darcie Hewitt-Dudding, home interior stylist at furn.com .
1. Wallpaper your alcove area
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Wallpaper can completely transform a space and make a strong focal point in a room. Instead of hiding your alcove, be proud and make it a statement with bold wallpaper ideas.
If you have symmetrical alcoves choose an eye-catching contrasting wallpaper that picks up on other accents in the room for a cohesive look.
If you only have one alcove that is already a standout feature, switch it around and wallpaper the rest of the room and leave the alcove blank. ‘We would recommend wallpapering the alcove area, as this will create more of a feature and add visual interest to the area,’ says Rebecca Drury from MissPrint.
Alternatively, a mural is a great substitute for traditional wallpaper. Choose one that reflects your personality and acts as a talking point for when guests come over. Graham Brown offers some eye-catching and unique murals which are perfect for bringing your walls to life.
2. Use different paint shades
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
‘Opting for multiple paint shades is an effective way to give separate areas, such as alcoves, their own distinct zone and character,’ says Helen Shaw, director of marketing at Benjamin Moore .
Your alcove doesn’t need to have a drastic print or colour to make it an area of interest in your room. Add depth to a small room with an alcove in a darker shade and switch it to a lighter shade in a more spacious room.
‘A deep bold hue evokes a cosy feeling, perfect for creating a reading corner or snug where there isn’t one structurally. This can be paired with a lighter hue of a similar undertone for the rest of the space, creating harmony whilst maintaining a distinctive difference.’
Keeping the same colour throughout the room ensures the space continues to feel cohesive and makes the alcove feel part of your overall space, rather than a separate forgotten corner. This would work perfectly as part of your dining room paint ideas to add more interest to what could be a plain room.
3. Create a home office
(Image credit: Future PLC)
For your small home office ideas, an alcove can provide the ultimate work-from-home setup when you’re limited on space. Due to the narrow nature of the space, angled task lighting works best to give you a wide range of light but also a more focused spotlight depending on your needs.
Make sure you think about choosing furniture which has a double function, such as a desk with hidden storage.
Your alcove may be in an awkward shape so make sure to take accurate measurements so you know your desk, seating and any storage will fit comfortably, or alternatively go for a fitted furniture option.
‘Bespoke, made-to-measure designs will ensure your environment is ideal for both your work and own personal needs; whether that be open shelves for pieces you need quick access to or cupboards and drawers for items such as a printer or files that you would like hidden away at home,’ says Rachal Hutcheson, national retail manager at Sharps .
4. Highlight an accent chair
(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)
Adding an armchair or loveseat to your alcove turns it from an unloved space to a comfy space for your to unwind and relax. Make sure that the chair you chose is the right size for the space and highlight it as the zone to unwind in by adding cushions and throws.
‘Accent chairs are a great way to add a reading nook to an alcove or awkward, unused corner space,’ recommends Gisela Lancaster, buying manager at Sofology .
‘They provide the perfect opportunity to add colour to a room without the need for repainting or wallpaper, lending personality and charm to a space. Consider a single piece in a vibrant or patterned fabric, amping up the comfort levels with a soft chenille fabric or velvet style, complementing with accent cushions and a throw. Finally, an elegant freestanding light will give the perfect lighting for reading.’
5. Turn it into a hobby corner
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Having your own dedicated area for you to indulge in your hobby may seem like a luxury reserved for those with multiple spare rooms. However, an alcove can go from dead space to your new hobby corner very easily. A pegboard or magnetic board is a good way of using the wall space in an alcove to store your tools or equipment without taking up precious space.
‘A sideboard or chest of drawers is the ideal hideaway to store your yarn and needles, or your acrylic paints and easel,’ recommends Sam Greig, senior designer at Swoon .
Or if you have a record collection, add a turntable, a decent pair of headphones and a comfy chair, and you've got the perfect easy listening spot.
Greig adds, ‘Dedicating a space to your hobby will not only encourage you to participate in it more often, but it will also help to contain it within its own space, ensuring the rest of your home remains clutter-free.’
6. Make a gallery wall
(Image credit: Future PLC)
If you have a shallow alcove that isn’t suitable for fitting in any furniture due to a lack of space, a gallery wall idea is a perfect option. A gallery wall instantly turns an alcove into a focal point within a room. It allows personality and character to be injected into a room and offers a personal touch that can be changed or added to at any time.
A gallery wall can be placed in any alcove around the home, from the bathroom, to the bedroom, to the living room. It is also a savvy budget decorating idea that can easily be done in a few hours.
Before you start knocking nails into walls, plan out where each of your frames are going to go and place the artwork you love the most at eye level. Most gallery walls are built up over time, so think about where future frames could potentially hang and don’t rush to create a fully completed wall.
7. Turn it into a kitchen pantry
(Image credit: Future PLC/Rachael Smith )
If you are fortunate enough to have a recess in your kitchen, use the space to create a pantry for your small kitchen storage ideas that can be created bespoke to your needs. Depending on your needs you can use the pantry as purely a storage space, or design it so it gives you extra workspace too. That workspace could become a designated coffee hub or a place for all your baking needs.
‘If your kitchen is short on storage space, turn your alcove into a pantry. Install various-sized shelves or cabinets before filling them with baskets and containers to keep your food and kitchen supplies organised.
If you are leaving the pantry ‘open’ use coordinating colours and textures to create a look that is cohesive to the rest of your kitchen,’ says Rudolph Diesel , a London interior designer.
8. Turn it into a pet zone
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Your pets are just as important as the people within your home and letting them have their own little corner will give them a safe space they know is for them. An alcove can be used to keep your pets’ food and water out of the way so there is no risk of knocking it over. Or it can be used to house a dog bed or crate so they have a designated area for any daytime snoozes.
If you do decide to create a pet zone out of your alcove, make sure it is free of anything like electrical cords, fireplaces, or heaters. If you have the space consider storage shelves or a storage trunk for their toys and games.
9. Go low with a built-in bench
(Image credit: Dulux)
Create a relaxed, modern vibe by running low-level shelving in the alcoves either side of a chimney breast.
Simple and unfussy, so perfect alongside a modern fireplace, one single long-line shelf can work as a TV bench or a display area for artwork. Fill the space underneath with a couple of chunky baskets for storing games kit and media or stashing logs and kindling.
10. Set up a reading nook for little ones
(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)
Create a quiet zone for reading away from the hustle and bustle of the living room or kitchen-diner. A low-level shelving unit can double up as a bench, topped off with a row of cushions or seat pads, and gives stowing space underneath for books, toys and games.
Make the space feel extra cosy by painting the bottom section of wall in a warm, tonal shade. Add a couple of book shelves above within easy grabbing distance.
11. Build diagonal cubbies for books
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)
Make book storage a statement feature by creating a diagonal arrangement in an alcove. Use wooden cubes or box shelving, fixed to the wall diagonally instead of in a regular, straight line.
Paint shelves dark to match the wall for a polished look, try dramatic emerald green, dark navy or dusky plum - book covers and spines will pop against darker tones.
12. Create pockets of colour
(Image credit: Dulux)
Create a breakout area by painting an alcove a contrast colour, creating a thoughtful bedroom or living room paint idea. Go just a couple of shades darker than your wall colour for a subtle, understated look or make maximum impact by choosing a dark, decadent tone for greater contrast.
An easy way of sectioning off a small area for a dressing table or work zone, just slot in a slimline desk or console table to fill the space and add a stool or chair to sit at.
13. Create ombre-effect shelves in an alcove
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)
Make a feature of simple floating shelves by painting the walls behind in tonal shades. Take colours from the same family, starting with the darkest tone at the bottom and going lighter as you go upwards, to give an ombre effect.
Soft shades of green, create a calm, tranquil feel, with a display of house plant ideas, greenery and ceramics in similar tones.
14. Set up a serving nook
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)
Put a narrow dining room alcove to good use by slotting in a set of slimline shelves. Use short lengths of kitchen worktop or scaffolding planks, resting on simple wooden brackets fixed to the wall. Slot in a trolley underneath and fill shelves with tableware, serving kit and condiments to save a trek to the kitchen each time you need something.
15. Boost bedroom storage with neat built-ins
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)
Ease the pressure on wardrobe space by making use of alcoves for an extra bedroom storage idea. Use a couple of Ikea Platsa freestanding cabinets (minus the feet) and repurpose as wall-hung storage - use hidden fixings inside to secure them to the walls. Kit out the interior, depending on what you want to store - add shelves for folded items or a short clothes rail to hang shirts and blouses.
16. Slot slimline shelves in at the end of a bath
(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)
Boxed-in pipework can leave awkward nooks for small bathroom ideas. Turn unused areas into a storage opportunity by adding narrow shelving and using the space to store soaps and toiletries. Paint shelves to match panelling or woodwork to give a bespoke, fully-fitted look.
17. Create an entertainment unit
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)
If you have a deep recess in your alcove, why not make the most of it by using it to house your TV and do away with a traditional entertainment unit? Just ensure the bottom shelf has enough height/width to accommodate your existing set, or consider investing in a new one that does. Or if you're looking for a ways to hide a tv you could add doors to conceal the TV, painting the doors the same colour as the surrounding alcove colour.
18. Create a cosy reading corner
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Whitmore)
An alcove is a natural spot for a reading corner idea, a little oasis away from the hustle and bustle of a busy family home.
Add a chair, a table where you can rest a cup of tea or glass of wine, and shelves for books. Paint the walls a darker colour – and the shelves, too, so they don't distract – that will draw you in to this cosy sanctuary.
Make sure there are cushions and throws so you can cuddle up. Soft task lighting works best to keep this corner cosy, choose wall lights or a table lamp to highlight the corner.
19. Choose a classic treatment with built-in bookcases
(Image credit: Future PLC)
The go-to solution for living room alcoves is to fill them with built-in storage. It's a no-brainer if you live in a period property, although there are better solutions if you prefer a contemporary look.
In this smart grey living room the owners have coordinated the look by painting the chimney breast in the same colour as the furniture.
20. Build in a space-saving bed
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Attic spaces can be incredibly difficult to furnish – especially when you have to negotiate a sloping roof.
But this attic bedroom idea proves that the task is far from impossible. This deep alcove is the perfect spot for a bed, and the narrower nook within it has been filled with shelves.
Extra bedding can be stashed in the large drawer under the mattress, and a simple wall-mounted light negates the need for a bedside table. As examples of maximising space go, this room is up there with the very best.
21. Measure up for a dresser
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Parmiter)
Building kitchen furniture around an alcove can be tricky. So why not make things easy for yourself and pop a dresser there instead. You might be lucky enough to find an off-the-peg design that fits perfectly into the gap. Failing that, you could contact a carpenter or bespoke kitchen company to build a made-to-measure piece for a smart kitchen storage idea.
22. Create a nook for bathroom essentials
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)
The reality is, a little bit of storage next to your WC can be extremely practical.
A simple shelf makes the most of an awkward bathroom alcove or recess, providing a savvy bathroom storage idea. Start with a basket or bucket of loo roll underneath so that you're never caught short – then a few accessories on the shelf above. This might be a good spot to store nappies, extra hand towels and wet wipes.
23. Move your bed into the alcove
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Make bedtime extra cosy by positioning your bed within an alcove. Painting the wall behind in a feature colour makes it appear almost as an extension of the headboard. Instantly, a simple divan becomes so much more with this thoughtful DIY headboard idea of sorts.
24. Be practical in a guest room
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Carolyn Barber)
Attic spaces are always a bit awkward, but you can turn these odd angles and alcoves created by boxed-in pipework to your advantage. In this loft conversion idea, they make up a natural room divider between a cosy guest bed situated under the eaves and a handy bedroom basin and dressing area.
Painting the alcoves in different colours enhances the zoned feeling still further.
25. Get creative with how you display within the space
(Image credit: Future PLC / Rachel Smith)
Don't leave your alcove walls empty - they're practically begging for statement artworks to be hung on them. Whether you create a personal gallery with multiple pictures, or go bold with a single piece that continues your colour scheme - as here - your living room will benefit. Add interesting diagonal shelves to further the artistic impact.
See, those alcoves do have a design benefit, beyond your standard storage solutions. It's time to get creative and update your space... Question is, which room of the house are you going to tackle first?
26. Take cupboards from floor to ceiling
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)
Take a leaf out of the book of early 20th-century houses, which often featured built-in bedroom storage like this. Floor-to-ceiling, flat-fronted wardrobes streamline the space, look crisp and clean and keep clutter hidden away.
What more can you ask for? Because you are working with a recessed alcove space the cupboards won't eat into the bedroom floor plan – because the space is already set back from the wall for better alignment.
27. Pop in a mini bar
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)
If you don't have space for a cellar, but do have a penchant for wine, why not make way for your bottles in the most sociable of spaces – the living room. The cabinet above has plenty of space for wine and glasses, and frees up precious space in the fridge and kitchen cupboards? This bar idea is perfect for when friends and family come round because it provides a clear area for people to get the drinks in.
28. Make space for pampering
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
The combination of a bay window and a fireplace alcove needn't cause excess design difficulties. Work through it by creating a neat little beauty or work area like this, which benefits from the natural light filtering through the adjacent window.
A pale wood desk and metal tolix chair combine for a smart country-style feel, while a single large art print on the wall behind the desk enhances the sense of this being a separate space.
29. Camouflage awkward recesses with pattern
(Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles)
Don't need extra storage, and want to pretend your alcoves don't actually exist? Use a wallpaper to camouflage them into a feature wall idea, with a fireplace at the centre of the scheme.
Retro prints like this one work well – busy enough to distract you from the different depths of the wall, it also matches the fireplace tiles, and almost seems to pull the walls forward. Oh, and don't go hanging pictures or shelving on it - this will just confuse things!
30. Opt for freestanding storage
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore)
Built-in alcove storage can look quite traditional in a period property, which is great if that's the look your after but if you want a more modern finish, freestanding storage might be a better fit for you (excuse the pun).
That's not to mention it can be costly to have bespoke built-in storage, making freestanding a great budget solution.
Use smart paint choices to recede your shelving into an alcove recess - visually, if not physically. For instance, here the grey tones of the wooden shelving blend with the dove grey shade on the chimney breast, keeping the focus on the rest of the decor, as opposed to the stacks in the alcoves.
31. Turn a recess into a dressing area
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)
As good idea for little ladies as it is full-grown women, creating a dressing area will make picking outfits for the day ahead an organised and enjoyable occasion. Include a chair for 'dumping' in case you're indecisive over fashion choices, and full-length mirror for taking it all in.
32. Use the space for a shower
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)
Use a bathroom recess to your advantage and install a streamlined shower enclosure (in an ideal world, it's in addition to a beautiful freestanding bath!).
Simple metro tiles and a classic glass shower screen make for a neat unit that adds to the overall feel in this luxurious bathroom.
33. Build in a seat
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole)
In an old farmhouse kitchen, where the stove has been removed, turn a brick chimney into a casual seating area. This area is ideal for guests to sit and chat with you while you're cooking. A wooden beach seat, a scattering of comfy cushions, and this dead space takes on a whole new lease of life.
What can you do with an alcove?
Alcoves don’t need to be an unloved awkward part of your home that you don’t know what to do with. There are lots of options to turn them into clever, unique spaces, from a reading corner, to a home office, to a kitchen pantry. However, how far you go with your alcove ideas, depends on your needs budget and which room it is in.
‘Using alcoves in your home might seem like a design head-scratcher at first, but there is so much you can do with these unique little spaces to transform them.
From function to feature, alcoves can become a beautiful accent in your home.
‘Alcoves can soon become cosy corners with the right amount of atmosphere. Think twinkly lights, candles, super soft throws, and a singular love seat where you can sit back and unwind,’ says Sam Greig from Swoon.
‘Functional alcoves such as radiator cubbies can seem tricky to navigate, however, they are a great base to build something creative into. If you have a radiator in your hallway for example, why not build a feature display by adding a slimline desk above the fitting, and adorning it with chic black-and-white family photographs, a letter stand, and a key hook element? The perfect place to host shopping lists, mail, car keys, and lanyards – a hallway storage feature is an easily installed, yet highly functional addition to your home.’
Lisa is a freelance journalist who has written about interiors for more than 25 years and has worked on all the major homes titles, primarily Ideal Home, but also including Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors, Style at Home, Livingetc, Woman & Home, Easy Gardens and Good Homes magazines.
Homes and interiors have always been a passion and she never tires of nosying around gorgeous homes, whether on TV, online, in print or in person, as well as being a serial shopper/bargain hunter.
100 photos of interior design ideas and innovations
Contents:
- Modern bedroom design
- Types of niches
- Polyurethane foam examples
- For bed
- For cabinet
- Choice of colors and finishes
- Lighting
Interiors can be arranged in a variety of ways. Modern room design offers many ideas to help you furnish your bedroom. In the photo gallery of this article you will find many original solutions with a characteristic design. One of them is niches in the bedroom, which help to arrange the space in an unconventional way.
Niche bedroom: photos of interiors in a modern design
Niches are decorative recesses in the wall of a geometric shape. They were once used to house various types of statues and decorative objects, such as those with a religious accent.
Nowadays, niches mainly have a decorative function, they can be an interesting place for flowers or handy little things. Recesses in the wall will look great against the backdrop of exquisite arrangements. They will help you decorate the bedroom according to the classic canon of beauty and make it in an elegant tone. These are quite large decorative elements.
Types of niches
According to their purpose, niches are divided into decorative and functional. In the first form, items, family photographs, vases, and decorative dishes are most often placed. The biggest advantage of such a niche is the ability to change the decor. For example, the displayed vases bored you, so you can replace them with something else at any time. According to its design, anything can be placed in a niche: small, plastic and glass objects, porcelain, even books and toys.
For large items, such as a bed, a wardrobe, niches at floor level are ideal, that is, functional. Such a deepening of the interior can be placed in the bedroom.
The designers came to the conclusion that such recesses in the wall must be complemented by other elements, such as smaller niches next to it or a multi-level ceiling.
Fixed niche is one independent recess in the wall. However, you can create several of these elements, which are located at a certain distance from each other. Such niches must be in harmony with the type of decoration and decor of the bedroom.
Polyurethane foam bedroom niche
In addition to aesthetic values, niches can be used rationally. They are often made from a very lightweight, damage-resistant material called polyurethane foam. A niche can fill a gap by decorating it beautifully. Neat decorative niches are suitable for painting in different colors. They are easy to install, so you can even do it yourself. The innovative production technology means that the PU foam niches are protected from moisture, so they can even be installed in the bathroom.
Niche in the bedroom for a bed
Functional niches are concave structures designed for large objects.
They can put a bookshelf, TV, various equipment, even a bed. Thus, sleeping will be more comfortable, feeling in an enclosed space. In such a niche, atmospheric light is often installed.
Almost every disadvantage in the layout of rooms can be turned into an advantage. Even strange irregularities and protruding reinforced concrete joints, which, moreover, are not uncommon in old-plan apartments, can turn into elegant decoration elements in the hands of a good designer. Niches of various shapes and sizes are not only fashionable, but also practical to use in the bedroom for a bed.
Bedroom alcove closet
Contemporary alcoves far outstrip the primitive wall dents of decades ago, meant only to hold artificial flowers in a vase. Currently, the term "niche" refers to a harmonious intimate space, which includes individual color schemes and a well-thought-out lighting system. You have to decide which niche shape will best suit your interior.
For example, horizontal recesses will look great in a wall with cabinets, while vertical ones are ideal for a closet.
Niche for the bedroom: the choice of colors and finishes
There are two ways to solve a niche color - this is a contrast or selection of shades that are harmonious with the overall range. Pastel shades or very bright ones look great in a “false” niche. It is not recommended to paint the recesses in dark colors, as they will visually look like black holes.
Drywall niches in the bedroom and other materials
Theoretically, niches can be placed in any wall, but it is known that they are easier to make in drywall partitions than in brick or concrete walls.
To emphasize the shape of the wall in which the niche is decorated, you can combine different materials. Quite often, niches are used for finishing:
- drywall;
- decorative plasters;
- artificial or natural stone;
- glass;
- tree;
- brick;
- metal.
However, it should be remembered that decorative stone and brick are more suitable for public areas (living room, dining room, library), while private bedroom-like spaces designed in this way can look gloomy and rough. But it all depends on the style, so in the loft a niche can be left unfinished, especially when it is arranged in a stone wall.
Bedroom design with a niche: the choice of lighting
Proper distribution and intensity of lighting in the bedroom creates the right climate. Lighting can optically enlarge a room, give it a cozy atmosphere, or bring elegance and class to an interior. Lighting niches allow you to place lamps in the most interesting way. They can be mounted both on the wall and under the false ceiling. Browse bedroom lighting niches in a variety of styles and shapes so you can easily choose the right model for you.
Lighting niches are a great way to create a sophisticated interior and accentuate a certain element of the room.
There are niches with rectangular and semicircular recesses. You can put any object in them if you want to highlight it in your interior.
If you have no experience in finishing work, it is worth inviting specialists for this rather difficult job. If you want to create a niche that will not only decorate the interior, but also become an indispensable and functional element of the bedroom, it is not enough just to take a metal drywall profile and cut a hole of a certain shape. Installing a niche, like any other building solution, requires correct calculations, it is very important to take into account all the necessary distances at the beginning, calculate the amount of finishing materials so that after completion of work you do not get a concavity in the wall where nothing fits.
Niche in the bedroom - 114 photo ideas on how to make a useful niche
> Bedrooms > A niche in the bedroom - the best options for the location and use of a niche (114 photos)
Even the most hospitable homeowners do not often bring guests to the bedroom, which is a practical and comfortable place to stay, but they try to make the most of the space of this room.
Looking at the proposed niche photos in the bedroom, you can not only visually divide the space, but also use it to the maximum benefit by implementing the design and stylistic design in the overall concept of interior design chosen for the apartment.
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Niche in the bedroom: effective zoning of space
Functional or decorative niches were originally used to level the walls, but over time, the practicality of such an architectural solution was confirmed thanks to the opening possibilities for zoning the bedroom.
If necessary, you can put a bed or a small sofa in a niche, organize a place to store your little things and accessories dear to your heart, install modern appliances there and hide a dressing room from prying eyes, equip a workplace.
Variants of arrangement and original design of a niche in the bedroom
Self-built plasterboard niches in the bedroom allow the most practical use of the free space of the room, its territory is perfectly divided into zones, which is convenient if the housing is not large in size.
You always want to create a cozy atmosphere in a relaxation room, and using a small or roomy recess, its space can be arranged as a workplace or a reading room, equip a compact dressing room or an exquisite boudoir for a lady.
Workplace
Hanging and wall-mounted, compact laptop tables already include small but roomy shelves in the design, such an office with a restrained and minimalist design style will appeal to those who are used to working in the evenings.
To equip the working area, you do not need to allocate a lot of free space in the bedroom, a small niche will be an excellent work area, but its organization will require additional and efficient lighting and the arrangement of several additional sockets.
Shelves with books
A shallow niche in the bedroom above the bed will be a great headboard for a bed, the uppermost space of which can be filled with designer or self-made shelves of different sizes.
Hinged shelves even in a small niche allow you to place a fairly voluminous library. By removing the head of the bed, and placing a chair and a coffee table there, you can equip an excellent reading room that will appeal to lovers of relaxation in the company of their favorite book characters.
Cozy corner
For a quiet and peaceful rest, doing your favorite hobby or finding harmony in a wall or window niche, it is recommended to equip your own personal corner of paradise, carefully selected furniture and home textiles are perfect for this.
A cozy seat, a sofa or armchair with cushions, the soft light of a floor lamp or ceiling light will allow you to devote your free time to yourself, a skillfully decorated window niche will become a favorite resting place before going to bed, an opportunity to admire the view at any time of the year.
Wardrobe without wardrobe
When choosing the design of a niche in the bedroom, it is recommended to make full use of the functional design, with an acute shortage of free space, it will become an excellent dressing room where a maximum of things will be placed.
Shelves, cabinets and stands complement the interior design of the structure, which is decorated with spacious storage systems and small furniture forms, such as hangers with hooks, stylized as a specific bedroom interior design concept.
Boudoir in the bedroom
Self-care requires a real lady privacy and the ability to fully use the allotted time for cosmetic and hygiene procedures, your personal beauty salon can be organized in the niche of the bedroom.
Depending on the size of the structure, it can accommodate a dressing table or cabinet, an easy chair or a trellis, in which you can place everything you need, cosmetic devices and accessories, personal hygiene items and cosmetics, perfumes and important accessories.
Transformer
In the conditions of the most limited free space in the bedroom, a niche will become an excellent transformer, for this it is enough to show imagination and use the best practices of designers offering many design options.
