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Ditch dead spaces and convert them into positive corners by bringing in colourful and imaginative seating.
Homes are functional spaces that fulfil different purposes. A shelter for some, a place to bring family for others. Cooking spaces, a place of rest and recuperation and so much more. As much as zones are designated around the home, what we fail to optimise are dead spaces in between. They can be compared to the ‘silence between talks’. In small homes, it becomes especially important. Like awkward conversations, dead spaces can accumulate junk and unwanted things. Human nature does not allow them to lie empty and you’ll find the need to fill them up.
Dead spaces are like undiscovered treasure. You are surrounded by them, you live around them in a home and yet don’t know what to do with them most times. Often we gloss over them or ignore them, without the faintest idea of what can be done.
What Defines Dead Spaces?
As much as we know what spaces aren’t used in a home, we also don’t know what to do with them. Dead spaces includes those along the hallways, corners of big rooms, the underside of a staircase, window ledges, balconies and more.
Now dead spaces can be left to their devices and what usually happens is that the family’s excess comes to lie there eventually. Passageways become a place where instruments/ extra furniture hoard up and space underneath staircases become a storage of unused house items and more.
The best way to make optimum use of dead spaces is to plan them optimally for seating. As much seating as we might plan around a new home, it can still fall short. So add as many as you like and use some of the ideas below to help you do it.
Transform That Foyer Into A Mini Living Space Seating
Foyers are spaces that we walk into when entering a home. Often times it contains just basic furniture, a table, some hooks to hang stuff and nothing more. If there’s space in your foyer, why not you convert it into a seating area for guests? Place a long low bench or some chairs. It will allow guests to rest, remove their weariness, or wear their shoes – a perfect waiting room before they enter your living room. You can even create storage with boxed seating for coats, umbrellas and other such emergency items.
Hide Away Seating Under Staircases
One of the most clever and cheapest seating areas is the staircase. This space is often ignored and under-utilised and away from the main living room area. Give this awkward space some work with the seating of convenience. Place a dining table, ottoman or even a beanbag. No rules apply here. You can even create additional storage with the seating furniture.
Living Rooms Look Warm And Inviting With Lowered Seating
Lower seating ideas are great for living rooms and are a clever way instead of standard sofas. They can be used according to the occasion, folded away when not in use and even moved around based on the need. For very small homes, a coffee table with floor seating even doubles up as a dining space.
Cozy Up In Balcony Seating
No matter how big or small they maybe, balconies are often just filled with potted plants or gardens. Utilising them to the maximum can be done by placing some chairs and a table, stools or benches. Besides a tea time nook, they also provide rest and relaxation especially when you want to de-stress and move away from chaos.
Enjoy The Quiet Music Seated On A Window Seating Ledge
Today’s homes have so many windows, especially large French ones and so much of it occupies walls and minimises space. Why not add a seating ledge to windows that replicate the verandah of a bygone era? Dead spaces by windows in bedrooms and low seating in living rooms can do with it. They make lovely, quiet spots to practice music, a space to chat with friends or even to enjoy city sights.
Seating in Passageways That Break The Endless Monotony
Corridors or passageways are few and far in between in today’s homes. But it is possible to utilise them with benches and seating. It makes space a lot less empty and can be lent some interest with colourful cushions and wall hangings above it too.
Seating Corners That Do More Than End Rooms
An eye-catching sofa, ottoman or free-floating shelves can do so much for corner areas that often go unfilled and empty. Turn a bare corner into a reading nook, throw in some rugs, a small table and viola! You have a space that can be utilised.
Seating ideas for a Sprinkle Of Cushions To Lean And Sit On
Cushions make a great seating option, even in emergencies. Buy some large colourful ones and throw them around just about anywhere – on divans, empty corners, windows with a mat if required. Settle down with friends and family for gossip or a get-together, and you’re good to go.
While adding seating in dead spaces, it is important to keep a few do’s and don’ts in mind:
- Plan seating intelligently – Just because space needs to be filled, doesn’t mean that it must be done haphazardly. Plan your seating well, see what works, the colours, height, material based on usage and then decide. Seating must never block free movement, which defeats the entire purpose
- Choose the right materials – Stools made out of grass may work different from wooden benches. While the former can be used around more easily, the latter can be cumbersome. Select appropriate materials of seating to be used, based on the space in which they will be placed
- Identify dead spaces – Just because a space in the house doesn’t have furniture, doesn’t mean it is dead space. See what spaces are truly lying empty, and especially in a small home and fill it up if required. Filling it up without purpose creates clutter and one you will not be able to live with over time.
- Look for furniture alternatives – Seating in dead spaces should not necessarily serve a single purpose. Try adding storage, multifunctional furniture and other accessories that serve other purposes.
- Never forget lighting – Dead spaces are also often dark and neglected. As much as they are made useful, don’t ever forget to add good lighting – a floor lamp, an attractive chandelier – to make the effort worth it
Dead spaces in homes call for them to be filled. While seating is the most preferred option, what matters is you knowing what to do with them. Use them intelligently and you’ll have spaces that work for you.
