Living room alcoves are bursting with potential – whether it’s creating the extra storage space your home has been desperately missing or a cosy reading nook you can look forward to at the end of each day.
Instead of overlooking this valuable real estate – leaving it open and bare, or half-filled with ill-fitting furniture – you can transform it into something useful, beautiful and that enhances your living room design.
My alcoves are filled with just a few picture frames, but after seeing the 12 ideas below, I’m convinced they have so much more to offer and can’t wait to unlock their potential.
1. Create a beautiful display in your living room alcove
Put a personal stamp on your living room alcove by filling it with shelves to display your favourite trinkets and prized possessions. In the example above, by Annie Sloan, the wooden shelves have been painted the same colour as the wall to make the pieces pop.
Interior designer Katie Malik says, "The key to styling alcove shelving is to think of it as telling a story about you and your home. It’s not just about filling a space; it’s about creating a personal sanctuary that brings you joy every time you look at it.
"To achieve a curated feel, I always advise my clients to start with a process of ‘deep listening’ to the space and to their own hearts. What objects do you truly love? What pieces tell a story about your life, your travels, your passions? And finally, remember that your shelves are a living part of your home. Don’t be afraid to change and rearrange them as your home story evolves."
Katie Malik is the founder and creative director of Katie Malik Design Studio, based in Cambridge. She originally studied at Cambridge University as a linguist, then retrained in Interior Design at Chelsea College of Art in London and the National Design Academy. Katie launched her own business in 2014 after gaining previous experience at high-end London design studios.
2. Turn an unused alcove into a practical working space
I love how this awkward alcove has been transformed into a practical workstation by fitting a desk between the two walls. It might feel random to have an 'office' in a living room, but this floating desk looks like it's been there all along, thanks to the built-in design that fits perfectly.
More than a quarter of working adults work on a hybrid basis, according to the Office for National Statistics, which highlights the importance of having a handy desk at home. If you don't have room for a separate office design, this is the ultimate space-saving hack.
"A custom-built desk and shelving can be designed to seamlessly blend with the existing architecture and style of the room. We can use materials and finishes that echo other elements in the space, creating a cohesive design language," says Katie Malik.
"Clever storage is also crucial. I love to incorporate hidden storage solutions to keep clutter out of sight so that, at the end of the day, you can close the doors on your work and reclaim your living space. Lighting is another key consideration. A combination of ambient and task lighting will ensure the space is both practical and inviting."
3. Go for full-height storage in a living room alcove
There's no such thing as too much storage space, and this built-in storage idea by Annie Sloan is high on my wish list. I love how the doors are painted the same colour as the skirting and fireplace surround, giving a polished look that feels effortlessly seamless.
“Built-in storage works well in a living room alcove when the doors sit flush with the surrounding walls, preventing the alcove from feeling like a cupboard has been pushed into a gap while maximising storage potential," says Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture.
“The key to a successful design is tailoring the interior layout to the alcove’s depth. For example, a deeper alcove can be optimised to discreetly hide bulkier household items by opting for a fitted storage solution that makes the most of the depth of space. Designing your room around what the alcove can naturally accommodate is what makes the display feel truly bespoke."
With over two decades of experience designing and delivering interior projects, Melissa creates stunning interiors for residential projects as well as events, workspaces and showroom staging. She aids clients in creating their vision of a dream space through her interior design expertise and creative eye.
4. Use a living room alcove as a log store
If I had a rustic country house, I would be itching to try this log burner storage alcove idea. Not only does it provide a practical space to store your logs near the fire, but it also adds a touch of charm to your living room, creating a warm and cosy feature wall.
However, there are a few safety consideration to keep in mind. To prevent your logs from igniting due to flying ash or embers, you'll need to position them away from open flames and heat.
You should also be mindful of potential mould and pests, such as woodmites and ants, that could be attracted to the logs. If that’s enough to put you off the idea, you could always place some decorative logs on shelves to get the same aesthetic without the worry.
5. Create a built-in drinks cabinet inside an alcove
There are many wonderful ways to create a home bar, and this built-in drinks cabinet is one of the best I've seen, providing easy access to glasses and bottles when hosting guests in the living area.
"Alcoves work very well for drinks cabinets because they’re already recessed into the wall," says Samuel Anton, Owner of Samuel Building Ltd. "Adding glazed doors helps keep dust off the glasses and gives the cabinet a more finished look.
If you're keen to give this idea a go, here are the minimum dimensions that Samuel recommends:
- Depth: 300-350 mm
- Space between shelves (glasses): 200-250mm
- Space between shelves (bottles): 300mm
Samuel Anton is a London-based building entrepreneur and the founder of Samuel Building Ltd, a residential construction and home-improvement company known for its focus on transparency, craftsmanship, and stress-free project management.
6. Build a cosy reading nook by the fire
There’s nothing more inviting than a secret reading nook, and this cosy corner by the fire is pure magic – just imagine snuggling up here at the end of a long day. In the photo above, the timber walls add an extra layer of comfort and warmth.
“With their natural placement set back in walls, alcoves present the perfect reading hideaway. A reading nook should be cosy but not cramped, so make sure your alcove is a good height and has enough space for cushions and throws for complete comfort," says Melissa Denham.
“Light plays an important role in how the space feels. A wall light, small table lap, or directional reading lamp positioned close to where you hold your book will help to create a calm and intimate space."
7. Add a built-in alcove bookcase
You don't need a dedicated room to create a home library; an alcove works wonders for a built-in book storage idea – and it will also add a pop of colour to your walls. In the example above by Pooky, books have been displayed at waist level to make them easy to access, while concealed storage has been carefully used on the bottom half.
"When I design a mini library, I focus on creating a space that feels like a warm embrace. Comfort is paramount. A built-in bench with thick (minimum 100mm thick) seating cushion, plush scattered cushions and soft throws is a wonderful addition, inviting you to curl up with a good book," says Katie Malik.
"From a design perspective, the bookshelves themselves are a key feature. We can play with different configurations and materials to create a look that is both personal and stylish. I often encourage clients to mix in personal objects and artwork amongst the books to add character and personality."
8. Put the spotlight on your living room alcove
The right lighting design can take your living room alcove idea to the next level, highlighting interesting pieces on shelves and brightening an otherwise dark and dingy corner. In this example, the downlights create a real focal point on the wooden shelves and create a relaxing, moody ambience.
"LED strip lighting works really well on alcove shelving, especially when hidden beneath the shelf above so the light can softly wash down over the shelves," says Emily Butterill, Founder and Creative Director of Glow Lighting.
"I always recommend keeping the LEDs warm in tone so the space feels inviting rather than overly bright. If the alcove allows, a small pendant can work beautifully too, adding a decorative focal point and softly lighting the alcove itself."
Illuminate your alcove with these shopping picks
Everyone’s been talking about magnetic spotlights recently, and these rechargeable ones can be installed in seconds.
This smart LED strip lets you control your lighting at a click of a button, like setting automations and changing the colour.
With three brightness levels and touch control, these rechargeable wall sconces make the perfect alcove addition.
Emily is the founder of Glow Lighting, a female-led lighting brand specialising in British-made, customisable pendant, wall and table lamps.
9. Paint the inside of your alcove
A lick of paint can take your alcove from tired and futile to a feature wall that has all your guests talking. In the idea above by Furniture and Choice, a darker shade of brown has been used inside the alcove to create the illusion of depth and space, which ties in with the dark furniture pieces.
"Painting the alcove in a contrasting or deeper shade to the surrounding walls immediately draws the eye and helps frame shelving, artwork or decorative objects. Richer tones can make an alcove feel cosy and intentional, particularly when paired with bookshelves or display cabinets," says Caroline Thornborough, Design Director at eco paint brand Thorndown.
“If you want a subtler look, try using the same colour family as the main wall but in a slightly darker tone. This keeps the scheme cohesive while still allowing the alcove to feel distinct and thoughtfully designed.”
A creative professional with a passion for design, Caroline is responsible for marketing, branding and curating Thorndown's colour palettes. When not working, Caroline can be found indulging in her twin passions: gardening and decorating. Whether transforming a neglected corner of her garden, wielding a paintbrush, or upcycling forgotten treasures, she thrives on breathing new life into things.
10. Enhance your fireplace with decorative tiling
Breathe new life into your unused fireplace by dressing it with decorative tiles. In the photo above, the homeowners chose a mix of pinks that perfectly complements the living room’s design scheme.
If your fireplace is still in use, it’s not recommended to tile inside the firebox, but you can still work around it – just be sure to use heat-resistant materials, grout, and mortar.
"Smaller tiles tend to work best inside a fireplace alcove, as they suit the compact space and allow the area to become a feature rather than just a backdrop. Classic brick or metro shapes are a popular choice because they work in both period homes and contemporary spaces, and can be laid in simple brickbond or herringbone patterns," says Abbas Youssefi, Managing Director of Porcelain Superstore.
Our top tiling picks
Inspired by Victorian design, these encaustic-style tiles have a detailed floral pattern in a lovely muted pink.
Add a playful touch to a vacant fireplace alcove with these glossy pink tiles.
Suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, and feature walls, these clay tiles come in a delicious raspberry-coloured glaze.
Abbas Youssefi is the Managing Director of Porcelain Superstore, which offers a range of stylish floor and wall tiles.
11. Design a seating area in a larger alcove
The homeowners really took advantage of this large alcove, installing a long bench-style seating area that can comfortably fit multiple people, as well as provide ample storage space beneath. The sofa has been positioned opposite, creating the perfect living room layout for hosting guests.
"From a practical point of view, the key measurement is the depth of the seat. I wouldn’t go less than 450mm, but ideally 500-550mm so people can sit comfortably. The seat height should usually be around 430-460 mm, which is similar to a standard chair," says Samuel Anton.
"In terms of width, allowing around 600mm per person is a good minimum so it doesn’t feel cramped. It’s also important to make sure there’s enough space above the seat, ideally 900-1000mm of clear height, otherwise the alcove can feel boxed in."
12. Create a home bar with a built-in wine cabinet
If you're an avid wine collector or simply love to host, I suspect this built-in wine cellar idea will be high on your wish list, offering plenty of space to display your best bottles.
This design by Spiral Cellars has room for up to 60 bottles and features decorative stone at the bottom, along with LED lighting to create a real focal point from this unique piece.
To ensure your cellar looks seamless and fits flush against the wall, it's worth working with an installation company to design one that's completely custom to the unique size of your living room alcove.
From stylish home bars to functional log stores, there are plenty of ways to play around with your living room alcove design to really maximise the use of the space.
You may also want to browse these green living room ideas and modern living room ideas for more ways to give your space an updated look.
