Maximizing Every Inch: Cozy Built-In Nooks That Add Function and Charm

Text: Robert C. Martin

Unlike many residences built today, the charm of older homes can often be attributed to a creative use of seemingly insignificant, and otherwise overlooked, space. Noted for their intimate, sheltering demeanor, these appealing features provide a welcome retreat from the daily grind—even if it’s just for a moment or two. And when a designer is thoughtful enough to include such tried-and-true details, the results deserve a second look.

That’s why the work of well-known Birmingham interior designer Jane Hawkins Hoke continues to garner praise. As a third-generation designer in the long-standing firm of Hawkins-Israel Interiors, Hoke is sought out for her layered, refined sensibilities, along with her knack for providing smaller, more intimate seating, sleeping, and other captivating areas within larger spaces. “Newer homes just seem more defined by the amount of square feet they hold, rather than their extent of interesting nooks and crannies,” she observes, “which are frequently deemed to be unnecessary.” Being fond of more personalized recesses like window seats, curtained alcoves for daybeds, and other fine points, Hoke has discovered that once such extra touches are added, a room’s size becomes secondary to its level of comfort and livability.

To ensure uniformity and a seamless inclusion of built-ins, the designer frequently specifies the same fabric for draperies, bedding, and even wallcoverings. “I like to repeat a pattern, which bestows a cozy, warm feeling to a project, particularly in guest rooms,” Hoke says. In the process, her well-tailored interiors with tucked-away amenities allow the overall space to function freely. “It’s also important to account for more ways of relaxing in a bedroom than just the bed,” she notes. Likewise, furniture pieces such as chests, dresser drawers, and armoires exhibit a greater sense of belonging when neatly slid into niches specifically designed for them.

Other factors like books, along with the ability to display and store them, rely on useful cubbyholes. “I try to incorporate books in just about every room that a client will let me,” Hoke admits. “Moreover, I often leave an offset within a wall of bookcases that’s wide enough for a bench or small love seat.” By providing an opportunity for someone to sit and read, the designer intuitively knows that they’re more likely to pull a book off the shelf and examine it further.

Also, the marks of a successful recess don’t necessarily require built-in cabinetry or shelving to be utilized. Things like the awkward dead end of a hallway, the interior space of an upstairs dormer, or even an empty closet with the door removed can make way for a desk, console, or even a chaise longue. What’s more, the existing space under a stairway, or a sloped wall beneath a row of rafters, offers a handy spot for storing mail, dropping off keys and cell phones, and creating pet-friendly zones. Even wide stair landings hold the potential for additional sitting and hidden storage areas.

Filling In the Gaps

• Add some distinction: Use a different paint color or material to distinguish a recess from the surrounding room.

• Let some light in: Nothing beats natural light, and if a nook or recess is backed by an exterior wall, enhance it by installing a window or two.

• Don’t forget storage: Not all nooks are meant to be seen. Where stowing things is more important than displaying them, conceal matters by hanging a curtain that matches other fabrics in the room or set an attractive screen in front of it.