How To Make The Most Of Nooks
Cathy Nordström
“The sitting nook is a favourite spot in the house. I’m a big fan of soft furnishings in a kitchen, if you have the space. It just makes the whole area so much more inviting. Our kitchen sofa is really deep and comfortable – I’m just waiting for the morning when I find a teenager sleeping here after a night out!” “Nooks are often used to transform tricky or undefined spaces – think of those corners or awkward areas that lack a clear purpose. Many homes have such spots, and adding a cosy nook can be a brilliant way to infuse them with character and charm. A well-designed nook combines both practicality and personality. This space was primarily intended as a study, but the client was keen to have it also serve as a small guest room. Since it couldn’t comfortably accommodate a standard sized bed, we transformed a corner into a cosy daybed, creating a multifunctional nook that works well with the compact dimensions.”
Tiffany Duggan
“I love to use a smaller nook or window seat in projects where space permits. A smaller nook is so flexible – it can be used as a cosy reading spot or a place to sit with a coffee with a friend. They’re also true space savers, because a built-in bench, unlike a chair, can sit flush against a wall. It’s an excellent way of adding interest and making practical use of a dark corner. For durability, I recommend choosing a heavily patterned fabric – or an outdoor fabric, which can be easily cleaned. After all, the purpose of a nook is not to fret over sticky fingers or spilt drinks.”
Octavia Dickinson
“As homes have become more open plan, more people are craving that small, calm spot in a house where you can just relax. In nearly every project I am working on, I “As homes have become more open plan, more people are craving that small, calm spot in a house where you can just relax. In nearly every project I am working on, I get asked to include some sort of nook. Nooks work in many different types of houses, from flats to old country houses. Some areas of the house immediately want to be nooks, and others require some outside-of-the-box thinking and perhaps reconfiguring. In this house, the window seats were always there, however the interiors needed updating and the fabric and wallpapers refreshing. Given the area looks out onto a pond at the front of the house, the owner was keen on keep it as a window seat and reading nook. Numerous rooms lead off this hallway, so the scheme needed to flow. We wanted to ensure enough light came through the windows, so we made the pelmet of the curtains the right height. We also wanted the window seat cushion to be comfortable but also keep its shape, so it was filled with feather-wrapped foam.”
Melissa Hutley
“Nooks can be one of the most fun areas to design because every single inch matters. Plus, with a small space you can usually go all out – use that wallpaper you’ve always wanted to use for example, as you won’t need much of it. You can get maximum effect for minimum materials. Nooks are also flexible and can be incorporated into many different interior styles, and they’re not necessarily limited to the size of the property either. This nook was designed to create a calm place to read, chat and relax, so it needed to be soft and comfortable. This space was a contemporary garden room, so it needed to be flexible for homework, relaxation and house an extra bed for guests. With clever joinery, we were able to add in drawers underneath – you can never have enough storage. The cushions along the back add colour and can easily be moved when it’s used as a spare bed too.”
