Make the Most of Your Living Room Corners with These 12 Decor Ideas

Does your living room have underutilized corners that feel empty or functionless? With some creative decorating, you can transform those lifeless spaces into eye-catching focal points. The right corner decor balances aesthetics and practicality, so you enhance the room's style while also making the most of the square footage. Whether you want to add storage, seating, greenery, or simply an artistic accent, there are many ways to make corner areas shine.

From building a workspace to displaying artwork, we will cover 12 ideas to help you refresh and reinvent your forgotten corners. With a mix of clever storage solutions, focal points, and cozy textures, you can create a pulled-together look that invites relaxation and conversation. Follow our tips below to make the corners in your living room as striking and functional as the rest of the space.

Clever Living Room Corner Uses

Turn a Corner into a Small Home Office

One way to take advantage of an empty corner is transforming it into a petite home office or workspace. The secluded spot allows you to tackle tasks in the same room with family, without distracting them. Opt for a compact desk sized appropriately for the corner, taking measurements to ensure it fits. A small secretary desk or table desk are great choices. Pair it with an ergonomic desk chair that does not stick out too far.

Use vertical space to increase storage for office supplies. Mounted shelves or a tall bookcase give you access to files and other items. For desktop organization, add accessories like a pen holder, letter trays, and containers. Also incorporate lighting, whether an adjustable desk lamp, overhead light, or accent lighting on shelves. The workspace will feel complete and more separated from the rest of the living room.

Utilize Corner Space for Extra Storage

An empty corner presents prime real estate for concealed storage. Floor-standing cabinets, bookcases, or shelving units can corral items you want tucked away or items used less frequently. Try placing a tall bookshelf or display case suited for the corner's measurements. Fill it with decorative objects, collectibles, extra dishware or glassware, or electronics equipment. For media storage, an angled TV stand fits nicely while allowing enough space for cords.

Another idea is installing custom built-in cabinetry, which looks polished once painted or stained to match your decor. Conceal the contents by adding doors to cover shelving. The storage blends seamlessly into the corner, appearing like an intentional feature rather than haphazard furniture placement. The unused space becomes even more valuable when used to organize belongings out of sight.

Create an Art Gallery Corner

Displaying artwork instantly livens up wasted corner space. To create a fashionable gallery vignette, start by mounting paintings or framed prints to catch the eye. Mix up the frame colors and styles for visual interest. Arrange the wall art asymmetrically for a modern look, angling some of the pieces towards the corner. Opt for bright or contrasting colors to draw attention.

Proper lighting also helps transform the corner into an art showcase. Install recessed lighting or track lighting above to illuminate the works. Or place a sleek floor lamp or sconce nearby to accentuate the corner. The combined effect turns an empty area into a striking artistic statement. With the right lighting and bold art choices, your once-bare corner will become a conversation-starter.

Incorporate Greenery in a Plant Corner

Bringing nature indoors is an excellent way to decorate an unused corner and add liveliness to the room. Start by placing large leafy plants like fiddle leaf figs or monstera deliciosa with their trailing vines. The corner lets you cluster medium to large plants together and really make a statement. Choose low-light varieties like pothos or Chinese evergreens if the corner lacks bright lighting.

For increased height variation, mix in tall snake plants, bamboo, or fragrant jasmine plants. Hanging plants like ivy or tillandsia provide greenery overhead and draw the eyes up. Add gold, ceramic or rattan planters to complement the plants. The varied textures combined with lush greenery infuse the unused corner with life. Follow basic care guidelines to help your new plant corner thrive.

Craft a Cozy Reading Nook

Convert an empty living room corner into a cozy reading escape. Arrange a plush armchair or loveseat facing into the corner--the surrounding walls create a cocoon-like feel. Angle a floor lamp or sconce above for reading light. If space allows, add a small side table like a rounded end table that fits neatly in the corner's shape.

Up the comfort factor with pillows and blankets to complete the reading nook. Choose a soft chenille throw blanket in soothing colors, draping it over the chair. Add plush pillows to lean back on, which also provide warmth. Stock the side table with books, candles, journals or reading glasses to accessorize. The private, cozy corner now provides a relaxing retreat for book lovers.

Decorating with Focal Points

Display Eye-Catching Corner Accents

Make a blank corner more captivating by showcasing unique accent pieces. Standout decor selections like an ornate mirror, branching floor lamp, concrete garden stool or abstract metal sculpture all make artistic statements. Place the accents on corner shelves, console tables, or pedestals so they grab attention.

For a collected corner look, group multiples like stacked decorative boxes, ceramic vases in the same hue, or mini metal buckets holding faux botanicals and candles. The varied shapes, sizes, and objects create visual interest. Avoid clutter by leaving some breathing room around the accents. The goal is striking but not overcrowded--let each piece shine as its own focal point.

Add Mirrors to Visually Open Up the Space

Strategically placed mirrors create the illusion of more space in a corner. Hang a tall, lean floor mirror in the corner itself--the mirrored reflection expands the feel of the walls. A rounded mirror also fits the corner shape well. Position it to catch incoming light and amplify brightness. The reflective surface makes a small, enclosed corner appear more open and airy.

When arranging a corner mirror, make sure it is not directly covering or blocking a light source. Allow ample room for accessing electrical outlets too. Get the benefits of a mirror's light reflection and visual widening effect, without sacrificing functionality. The mirror's magic brightens up shadowy corners to complete the living room's open flow.

Include Candles for Warm Ambience

Candles set a welcoming mood while decorating previously overlooked corners. Place a pair of tall taper candles in gleaming silver holders to accent a corner. Or arrange a mix of pillar candles, votives and tea lights on a mirrored corner tray for amplified flicker. The varied heights create dimension.

For safety, avoid placing candles right next to curtains or drapes which could catch fire. Keep them clear from other combustibles and out of reach of pets. Choose unscented or lightly scented candles so the fragrance does not overwhelm the room. A few candles with soft, warm glow transforms any dark, dreary corner into a more inviting space after dusk.

Soften Corners with Textures

Incorporate plush textiles to cozy up a living room corner visually and physically. Use an area rug to define the space--select a low pile rug sized to fit inside the corner with a few extra inches bordering each wall. The rug pad prevents sliding while adding cushion underfoot.

Then layer in soft textures with blankets draped over chairs and pillows in natural linen or cotton. Choose oversized floor pillows that can lean against each wall, filling in the corner. The pillows also allow flexible seating arrangements. Finally, consider a fluffy shag or faux fur rug to up the comfort level even more. The added textures beckon people to sink in and linger.

Updating your living room does not have to mean ignoring forgotten corners. With a bit of creativity, empty corners transform into functional, decorative spaces. We covered techniques like building a workspace, adding storage solutions, displaying eye-catching accents, and incorporating soft textures. Any unused corner, whether it is awkwardly angled or lacking light, can become an asset.

Hopefully the ideas sparked inspiration for reinventing corners in your own living room. Breathe new life into dead spaces by crafting an artistic accent, installing storage furniture, or building a cozy reading nook. The right corner decor not only looks stylish, but also improves your room's practicality. Pick your favorite ideas and make the corners as gorgeous and inviting as the rest of your living room.

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