How to Tackle Your Home’s Dead Zones
Enliven those lacklustre locations that fail to make the grade by turning misused spaces into marvels
Laura Wheat
10 October 2016
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced in a handsome Edwardian semi on top of a hill.
Houzz UK Contributor. Freelance Journalist and interiors obsessive, newly ensconced... More
You’re probably familiar with your home’s dead zones even if you’ve never attached a specific name to the problem before. These unsatisfying spaces fail to live up to our expectations, either by lacking aesthetic appeal or failing to do the job they’re intended to do. There are a few common culprits – hallways, landings, awkward nooks, rooms with too many doorways – but each house has its own particular den of disappointment.
One way of tackling dead space is by incorporating lighter pieces of furniture that won’t overpower the room. For example, a slimline, metal-framed console table will work wonders to fill an empty fireplace alcove, because its minimal construction allows a slice of wall to show through, reducing bulk. You can always add a couple of baskets underneath for extra storage. Take a look at your home with fresh eyes to see if there’s a cure for your dead zone woes.
One way of tackling dead space is by incorporating lighter pieces of furniture that won’t overpower the room. For example, a slimline, metal-framed console table will work wonders to fill an empty fireplace alcove, because its minimal construction allows a slice of wall to show through, reducing bulk. You can always add a couple of baskets underneath for extra storage. Take a look at your home with fresh eyes to see if there’s a cure for your dead zone woes.
Kit out a cubbyhole
Under-stair areas are notoriously difficult to utilise effectively due to their awkward shape. Built-in cupboards are your best bet to scavenge every scrap of storage. Here, custom-made cabinets follow the line of the stairs, while a large, glazed wine ‘cellar’ has the star spot beneath the landing.
What to build under the stairs
Under-stair areas are notoriously difficult to utilise effectively due to their awkward shape. Built-in cupboards are your best bet to scavenge every scrap of storage. Here, custom-made cabinets follow the line of the stairs, while a large, glazed wine ‘cellar’ has the star spot beneath the landing.
What to build under the stairs
Turn your attention upwards
If your hall is too narrow for a table, fancy lamp or vase of flowers, explore what decor can be added overhead. Period homes often have high ceilings, which can carry off extravagant or oversized lighting.
To avoid making the space seem smaller, look for glass styles that give off lots of light and have transparent components to create an airy effect.
If your hall is too narrow for a table, fancy lamp or vase of flowers, explore what decor can be added overhead. Period homes often have high ceilings, which can carry off extravagant or oversized lighting.
To avoid making the space seem smaller, look for glass styles that give off lots of light and have transparent components to create an airy effect.
Wow with a window treatment
Add a little length to your Roman blinds for an eye-catching, artistic canvas. This bright beauty has been hung higher than the window frame to ensure plenty of that fabric’s geometric goodness is on show, even when the blind is drawn. Try this technique to eliminate dead zones in rooms without much wall space.
Add a little length to your Roman blinds for an eye-catching, artistic canvas. This bright beauty has been hung higher than the window frame to ensure plenty of that fabric’s geometric goodness is on show, even when the blind is drawn. Try this technique to eliminate dead zones in rooms without much wall space.
Dig a little deeper
If you can squeeze in a console table behind your sofa, this is a slick way of creating interest in a room. Pulling seating away from the wall is a favourite interior design trick that adds depth to the space, as well as providing a focal point on which to display table lamps or accessories.
If you can squeeze in a console table behind your sofa, this is a slick way of creating interest in a room. Pulling seating away from the wall is a favourite interior design trick that adds depth to the space, as well as providing a focal point on which to display table lamps or accessories.
Find a new feature
When taking a house back to bare bones, you can afford to look beyond the original layout, particularly if switching to something more open-plan. Rather than leaving this large dividing wall blank, a fire has been fitted in the pillar, making for a fetching feature that divides the living and cooking spaces.
When taking a house back to bare bones, you can afford to look beyond the original layout, particularly if switching to something more open-plan. Rather than leaving this large dividing wall blank, a fire has been fitted in the pillar, making for a fetching feature that divides the living and cooking spaces.
Nestle into a nook
Exploit an underused window nook by fitting a simple desk at which to work or read. By painting it the same colour as the walls, you’ll create cohesion. Just try not to spend too long gazing outside instead of getting down to business.
Browse more compact home offices
Exploit an underused window nook by fitting a simple desk at which to work or read. By painting it the same colour as the walls, you’ll create cohesion. Just try not to spend too long gazing outside instead of getting down to business.
Browse more compact home offices
Finesse the fixtures
Floating shelves are a savvy solution for many dead zone woes, but the best ones require a bit of planning. Long, narrow shelves like these will have hidden rods that act as brackets and are inserted into the rear of each wooden plank; this is best done prior to decorating.
There are less involved options, but their suitability depends on how heavy-duty the floating shelves need to be.
Floating shelves are a savvy solution for many dead zone woes, but the best ones require a bit of planning. Long, narrow shelves like these will have hidden rods that act as brackets and are inserted into the rear of each wooden plank; this is best done prior to decorating.
There are less involved options, but their suitability depends on how heavy-duty the floating shelves need to be.
Raid the mini bar
Wine cellar not viable? A bar cart does the job of storing your best booze, transforming dead space and providing a moveable surface on which to display a few pretty pieces.
Here, copper-themed accessories are paired with prime plonk and showcased on a simple metal trolley that would look great in a spare area of hallway or in that corner of your living room where no other furniture will fit.
Wine cellar not viable? A bar cart does the job of storing your best booze, transforming dead space and providing a moveable surface on which to display a few pretty pieces.
Here, copper-themed accessories are paired with prime plonk and showcased on a simple metal trolley that would look great in a spare area of hallway or in that corner of your living room where no other furniture will fit.
Go long
Corridor-like landings benefit from being given a ‘sense of travel’. This is where interior details help to suggest your path through the space. Signposting cues can come from clever lighting, such as these recessed ceiling panels, floor coverings, low-profile artwork or themed accessories.
Corridor-like landings benefit from being given a ‘sense of travel’. This is where interior details help to suggest your path through the space. Signposting cues can come from clever lighting, such as these recessed ceiling panels, floor coverings, low-profile artwork or themed accessories.
Swell your storage capacity
When you just haven’t got enough places to store your stuff, it pays to turn your attention to dead zones that aren’t pulling their weight around the house. Here, a cupboard has been created in the corner of the bathroom by fitting out an alcove.
Solutions such as pocket doors are also worth investigating for sticky spaces.
TELL US
Have you tackled a dead zone in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
See how to turn awkward nooks into cosy corners
When you just haven’t got enough places to store your stuff, it pays to turn your attention to dead zones that aren’t pulling their weight around the house. Here, a cupboard has been created in the corner of the bathroom by fitting out an alcove.
Solutions such as pocket doors are also worth investigating for sticky spaces.
TELL US
Have you tackled a dead zone in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
See how to turn awkward nooks into cosy corners
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In small spaces under-stairs are often totally under-utilised. There is also some hallways that can take a small desk. Great article
We installed a "bar" under our stairs - with a fridge, Billi tap for hot/ chilled/ sparkling water, and drawers for storage...
love the billi tap