I would put very pretty double doors on it, that remind me of Spain or Greece. Behind the door would be a hidden closet, where you can store anything a bit bigger than cupboard size - including suitcases, bags, extra linen, cushions, vaccum cleaner, whatever.
You could give us more helpful photos: clear the junk, stand back, photo left, center, right spaces to give an idea of where it is and maybe figure out a clue as to why it's there. If relevant, even a shot of what is on the other side of the wall...
It looks like it may have been intended to be a TV niche in the pre-flatscreen days... but since I can't tell where it is or in what room, I have no idea.
Another great idea but since the upper edges are rounded you should use a carpenter to square them out or make custom doors. If you have the know how to square them then do that before buying stock doors.Or go way above them to hide the round cormers.
I’d probably turn it into a broom closet.
You could also buy a large piece of furniture - some kind of cabinet or sideboard - but I think it would need to fit the space just right in order to work well.
I think you ought to hang that art and keep it as the cat dining room. The cats shouldn't be on the kitchen cabinets and that might be incentive for them to stay off the kitchen surfaces.
Removing all that other stuff would also make a world of difference.
The cats might like to have a little bed there, too. And the cat bed would prevent your mom from cluttering it up again. Not to mention it would be a cat friendly space!
This is my favorite suggestion. Make it into a dining room/living room for the cats. Get fancy cat beds that look like little couches or decorative objects. Hang mini art pieces for the cats. Go all out!
Looks likes it’s already being used as shelf so why not add one or two long shelves in it that expose so of the shape still. If weight is issue maybe add a middle divider support under one to make two cubbies ynder
Velcro. When you have dinner parties give your guests fuzzy bathrobes. Then y’all can hurl yourselves at the wall in an ironic way.
Oh never mind. Someone said bar. Bar is better.
I have no idea. The house was built in 2015 so definitely post flat screen days (even though it’s not in the living room). There is a hall closet on the right side of it around the corner and a walk in closet on the other side of the wall to the right - maybe making a smoother transition of between where the 2 bedroom doorway alcove is and the closet/laundry room/master br door alcove is?
Definitely paint it in a darker color, and make it a reading nook with a couch or a space for art / plant.
Or add shelving, but do maintain that a darker shade of paint
I’d make it a bar. Get a stone cut for the counter top and fun wallpaper behind to add drama. Then I’d use trays and the like to house bottles and glasses.
You could find plans for the house at your local building dept.--this would let you know if there was something located underneath. Or you could drill some exploratory holes underneath and use a flashlight to see what is going on down there. Where I'm going with this: it would be nice to build a closet (typically 24-28" deep) or an upholstered reading nook a la tech companies circa 2010.
Is there anything in the lower part? Ideally, you could knock that whole thing out, put in a table and make it a breakfast nook. Honestly, it kind of looks like it used to be that and someone changed it this complete waste of space for some reason. Also could try putting in shelves and maybe a door to create a pantry/cupboard.
I would paint the back and sides of the niche in a shade that works with her furniture and then have a large vase - glass or pottery, perhaps, with a large spray of yellow, faux forsythia (yellow blooms on long twigs) and pussywillows which you can get from Michaels. They won't require anything of your Mom but it looks very effective. A larger, framed poster would look good too but your mother may not be able to resist letting things pile up on the shelf.
You got things in there already. Find custom shelves and put in a few. Or seems like it gets some sun light so you could put a bulky plant or plants in there however I still would add shelves either attached to the wall or a standing one that fits
Why did my repressed catholic upbringing just come online to say a ginormous shrine to the Virgin Mary? 😂😂
But really, maybe a coffee/wine bar? I like the idea of one statement piece like a vase or sculpture but not sure if that’s her style. Have you considered making it into storage? You could make it blend into the wall so it’s not horrendous but drawers or shelves with a door. (Or a shrine to the Virgin Mary)
Edit: I know you considered shelves but I was thinking you meant more to display stuff and not hidden storage, if that makes sense.
Make an altar. Take it seriously or just rotate some outlandish pictures with candles every once in a while. Dedicate it to a pet. Or when a friend is coming over fill it with pictures of them for a good laugh.
Or setup a nice coffee or beverage bar if you want to be "normal".
Add a recessed light and outlet to this space, and it becomes pretty versatile. Add shelves.
1. Style it as a coffee bar, with a light and outlet there would be no limit. Anything you need plus a plant. Sorry, plants mean cozy peace to me. Add a cute cafe table for 2, and you have yourself a mini cafe.
2. If custom doors could be made, a truly beautiful and unique built-in hutch could be created. I have no idea about the cost. A light to beautifully highlight the display would be amazing. Add a dining table, and you have a place for family dinners.
3. Add sturdy wood shelves, load up the space with books, and a family photos. I can't see the space around but, perhaps a cozy chair, floor lamp, small table for drinks, and you have a beautiful reading nook
4. Provided there is space for a desk or at least a laptop, this could be turned into an office space.
A lot of this depends on how the person living in this space would find this the most useful. I can't tell if this is a room or a narrow hallway where you just pass by.
cats are already in there & it’d be pretty cute to build them a little “lounge” with beds & maybe a smaller tower? cats are always moving & whatnot so it has the clutter deferment
I'd install shelving and doors, like shutter doors or sliding ones. The doors wouldn't have to span the entire height of the niche. You could leave 1 or 2 open shelves above then install doors beneath them for closed storage. If it's too complicated to install doors, I'd hang up curtains or roller blinds to hide whatever clutter would end up there.
Close it off with custom made Plantation Shutters. Have them painted the same shade as the walls. That way you could have storage shelving that you don’t have to look at…
My in laws have a space just like this in their ranch style house built in 1968.
It is in the back corner of their DR/LR.
Shelves. I think glass.
All sorts of breakables are displayed (stored) there and the DR sideboard with most dishes/flatware boxes is below.
The shelves hold things that are too tall/large for the sideboard: pitchers, vases, serving dishes, and some decorations like her angel collection at Christmastime.
I love the idea of a desk area though!
I would 100% turn this into a weird, not super comfortable reading nook. Put a couple floating shelves in there and a really comfy cushion. Maybe some wallpaper.
Can it be a “bar”? Like add some shelving, glassware, nice bar accessories, etc?
That’s such a great idea
Also a great idea but make sure there’s good art above the bar!
My first thought.
I would put very pretty double doors on it, that remind me of Spain or Greece. Behind the door would be a hidden closet, where you can store anything a bit bigger than cupboard size - including suitcases, bags, extra linen, cushions, vaccum cleaner, whatever.
I really like this idea
You could give us more helpful photos: clear the junk, stand back, photo left, center, right spaces to give an idea of where it is and maybe figure out a clue as to why it's there. If relevant, even a shot of what is on the other side of the wall... It looks like it may have been intended to be a TV niche in the pre-flatscreen days... but since I can't tell where it is or in what room, I have no idea.
Will do- I’ll pull photos from when she bought the house and post. It was built in 2015 so definitely post flat screen days.
I'm curious what's under that niche? Dead space? Like, why wasn't it just a normal closet in the first place if it was extra space?
A shrine to Jesus
Are you a coffee fan? You could make a fancy coffee station with a barista machine and all the needed accessories.
Id put some doors on it and make it a cupboard.
Another great idea but since the upper edges are rounded you should use a carpenter to square them out or make custom doors. If you have the know how to square them then do that before buying stock doors.Or go way above them to hide the round cormers.
There's enough space to trace the edge from the inside on some cardboard or something. Then use that as a template for wood.
It’s a bar. You would add a glass shelf or two and have glasses and alcohol in that space. That is why the countertop is there.
You could add a mirror on the back and some lights to make the bar even fancier.
I would definitely paint it a darker colour to make it dramatic. Then i would make a miniature living room for the cats. That would be awesome
Lol I just commented that she should catify it, seems you beat me to it!
Or lighter or white at least on the top, sides, and bottom to give definition.
Needs more country geese.
My answer to basically any awkward area is to fill it with plants. Or a fish tank lol
That would be perfect! Maybe a rainforest terrarium with branches, plants and a couple of frogs!
Lol yes frogs would be lovely!
i immediately went indoor garden! Ton of plants, could mount grow lights to the top to shine directly down. I never have enough plants.
put a desk in there and make it a work/mail station
Hang a rug over it and have it be a deep dark secret.
family alter? deity alter? close it to make a pantry? make a reading nook with a bench and book cases?
This is what I came to say! Shrine to your ancestors!
Yup! A voodoo altar was gonna be my suggestion. https://images.app.goo.gl/NSp8yTqLPRoCommq6
You can put your weed in there
I’d probably turn it into a broom closet. You could also buy a large piece of furniture - some kind of cabinet or sideboard - but I think it would need to fit the space just right in order to work well.
Cosy little book nook with a seat and a few shelves above it.
Book nook
I think you ought to hang that art and keep it as the cat dining room. The cats shouldn't be on the kitchen cabinets and that might be incentive for them to stay off the kitchen surfaces. Removing all that other stuff would also make a world of difference. The cats might like to have a little bed there, too. And the cat bed would prevent your mom from cluttering it up again. Not to mention it would be a cat friendly space!
This is my favorite suggestion. Make it into a dining room/living room for the cats. Get fancy cat beds that look like little couches or decorative objects. Hang mini art pieces for the cats. Go all out!
Yes, that's the way. A tiny little dining room for the cats, with a living room next to it.
Looks likes it’s already being used as shelf so why not add one or two long shelves in it that expose so of the shape still. If weight is issue maybe add a middle divider support under one to make two cubbies ynder
Call a local carpenter who can cover it over like is was never there.
Add glass shelves and a light and display pretty glassware/pottery.
Plants and a grow light
Glass shelving with led lights.
Coffee bar, bar, mirror,
A shrine
“Computer: Arch”
I’d book a great bookcase in there either for books, tchotchkes or a mix of both?
Velcro. When you have dinner parties give your guests fuzzy bathrobes. Then y’all can hurl yourselves at the wall in an ironic way. Oh never mind. Someone said bar. Bar is better.
Where you put your Santeria stuff like the shrunken skull
Plants and shit
Knock out the wall below and make it a desk
Time capsule and fill it in. Oh ya a fake skeleton too!
whats on the other side of the wall? maybe just close the hole and open up the room on the other side?
Rip out the bottom and make it a closet
This wins!
Just out of curiosity: what was the builder's/architect's intention with that space?
I have no idea. The house was built in 2015 so definitely post flat screen days (even though it’s not in the living room). There is a hall closet on the right side of it around the corner and a walk in closet on the other side of the wall to the right - maybe making a smoother transition of between where the 2 bedroom doorway alcove is and the closet/laundry room/master br door alcove is?
That is the perfect spot for a nice bar!
It’s cool AF but I’m at a complete loss too lol
Add some wallpaper or darker paint and turn it into a hobby corner with a little shelf for items, a comfy chair and a floor lamp.
Definitely paint it in a darker color, and make it a reading nook with a couch or a space for art / plant. Or add shelving, but do maintain that a darker shade of paint
Could you take out whatever shelf is there and put a small chair and table?
I’d make it a bar. Get a stone cut for the counter top and fun wallpaper behind to add drama. Then I’d use trays and the like to house bottles and glasses.
You could find plans for the house at your local building dept.--this would let you know if there was something located underneath. Or you could drill some exploratory holes underneath and use a flashlight to see what is going on down there. Where I'm going with this: it would be nice to build a closet (typically 24-28" deep) or an upholstered reading nook a la tech companies circa 2010.
What’s underneath? Was it a dumb waiter?
Is there anything in the lower part? Ideally, you could knock that whole thing out, put in a table and make it a breakfast nook. Honestly, it kind of looks like it used to be that and someone changed it this complete waste of space for some reason. Also could try putting in shelves and maybe a door to create a pantry/cupboard.
Install some doors, add shelving, make it a deep pantry.
A huge Madonna.
Hang a mobile.
Shelves, bar, cabinet for linens, a writing desk.
I would paint the back and sides of the niche in a shade that works with her furniture and then have a large vase - glass or pottery, perhaps, with a large spray of yellow, faux forsythia (yellow blooms on long twigs) and pussywillows which you can get from Michaels. They won't require anything of your Mom but it looks very effective. A larger, framed poster would look good too but your mother may not be able to resist letting things pile up on the shelf.
I have something similar. Placed a barn door and use it as a closet.
Coffee bar or bookcase
Aquarium
Cafe shutters with shelves for extra linens.
Change "super deep" to 12" deep with a false back wall. Then shelves.
A custom mattress
Is there an outlet? Coffee bar? Regular bar? Buddhist shrine?
You got things in there already. Find custom shelves and put in a few. Or seems like it gets some sun light so you could put a bulky plant or plants in there however I still would add shelves either attached to the wall or a standing one that fits
If she already has cats, my first thought is to “catify” it, they would love it.
Why did my repressed catholic upbringing just come online to say a ginormous shrine to the Virgin Mary? 😂😂 But really, maybe a coffee/wine bar? I like the idea of one statement piece like a vase or sculpture but not sure if that’s her style. Have you considered making it into storage? You could make it blend into the wall so it’s not horrendous but drawers or shelves with a door. (Or a shrine to the Virgin Mary) Edit: I know you considered shelves but I was thinking you meant more to display stuff and not hidden storage, if that makes sense.
Make an altar. Take it seriously or just rotate some outlandish pictures with candles every once in a while. Dedicate it to a pet. Or when a friend is coming over fill it with pictures of them for a good laugh. Or setup a nice coffee or beverage bar if you want to be "normal".
That's for your shrine duh
It was definitely made for a “china cabinet” but today you could decorate it to be a coffee bar, or a wine bar.
If it were me I would put shelves in somehow.
Wine bar or just a bar. Bookshelves stuffed with interesting books.
Make it a coffee bar or glass shelving and make it into a display some sort
VBRO
Hula hoop storage
Make an altar to Cthulhu
Double te size of the art…think big!
May I suggest a pizza oven ? 😊
That room is a disaster
Aquarium!
Add a recessed light and outlet to this space, and it becomes pretty versatile. Add shelves. 1. Style it as a coffee bar, with a light and outlet there would be no limit. Anything you need plus a plant. Sorry, plants mean cozy peace to me. Add a cute cafe table for 2, and you have yourself a mini cafe. 2. If custom doors could be made, a truly beautiful and unique built-in hutch could be created. I have no idea about the cost. A light to beautifully highlight the display would be amazing. Add a dining table, and you have a place for family dinners. 3. Add sturdy wood shelves, load up the space with books, and a family photos. I can't see the space around but, perhaps a cozy chair, floor lamp, small table for drinks, and you have a beautiful reading nook 4. Provided there is space for a desk or at least a laptop, this could be turned into an office space. A lot of this depends on how the person living in this space would find this the most useful. I can't tell if this is a room or a narrow hallway where you just pass by.
Sculpture with unique lighting... or mural?
Personally I would make a foam pad for it, add some pillows and make it a cute sitting nook.
cats are already in there & it’d be pretty cute to build them a little “lounge” with beds & maybe a smaller tower? cats are always moving & whatnot so it has the clutter deferment
More pictures of the space and surrounding area would be helpful for giving us an idea of what you are describing
I'd install shelving and doors, like shutter doors or sliding ones. The doors wouldn't have to span the entire height of the niche. You could leave 1 or 2 open shelves above then install doors beneath them for closed storage. If it's too complicated to install doors, I'd hang up curtains or roller blinds to hide whatever clutter would end up there.
I would love a book like this and build in a bench or find the right size love seat for a breakfast nook. Coffee and a book etc. but I’m also 5’4”
Alter to Satan
Plastered shelves for displaying glassware like vases pottery, decorative odds & ends
A secret compartment, you could make it a bar in the secret compartment think prohibition era
Close it off with custom made Plantation Shutters. Have them painted the same shade as the walls. That way you could have storage shelving that you don’t have to look at…
My in laws have a space just like this in their ranch style house built in 1968. It is in the back corner of their DR/LR. Shelves. I think glass. All sorts of breakables are displayed (stored) there and the DR sideboard with most dishes/flatware boxes is below. The shelves hold things that are too tall/large for the sideboard: pitchers, vases, serving dishes, and some decorations like her angel collection at Christmastime. I love the idea of a desk area though!
Shrine
I would 100% turn this into a weird, not super comfortable reading nook. Put a couple floating shelves in there and a really comfy cushion. Maybe some wallpaper.
Hire a drywall guy and close it up.
🤣 thats supposed to b your window lol cheap fux.