Many homes have nooks waiting to be discovered–a corner of the kitchen, a landing at the top of the stairs, a bench next to the fireplace. Your home’s architecture, whether it be sloping rafters or angled bay windows, usually dictates the most easily accessible nooks, says Karen Hangsen, author of “The Nook Book: How to Create and Enjoy the Coziest Spot in the Home.” Here are room-by-room tips from Hangsen and her book for spotting or creating your own special hideaways:
Kitchen: Built-in dining nooks create a cozy, intimate feel, and bench seating can provide storage underneath. However, if a built-in area isn’t practical, you can create the feel of a nook by wrapping shelves around a corner and displaying a collection of plates. An eating area can be made to feel more intimate by dividing it from the rest of the room with a bookcase that holds a cookbook collection.
Hangsen also found one homeowner who installed a computer keyboard under her kitchen countertop and the monitor in the cabinet above it. When she was done with her work, she merely slid the keyboard back into its hiding space and shut the cabinet door.
Living/dining room: Curtain off a dining room from a living room to make the space seem more intimate. Use the wall space between a fireplace for built-in shelving or a window seat. Create your own private aclove by using screens.
Master bedroom: Like cocooning under the covers? Drape a canopy or curtains around the bed. If room isn’t large enough to accommodate a four-poster bed, consider hanging light airy fabric from the ceiling. Build a seat for reading in betweeen two bureaus flanking a window.
Children’s rooms: Loft beds can save on floor space and allow room for a desk or toy storage underneath.
Stairs: A wide landing at the top of the stairs can be the perfect spot for a daybed or desk. A custom-built closet, chest of drawers or shelving under the stairs provide storage.
