Hi, friends!

Every home has areas that are often left underutilized or neglected, and yours is likely not immune to this fact. Whether you have an awkward corner, an empty hallway, or a small nook that is underutilized, I am here to tell you that the solutions to these challenges abound!

In today’s blog, I want to help you explore ways to make the most of those forgotten corners and untapped spaces in your home. With a little creativity and some thoughtful design, these areas can become beautiful and functional parts in your home. Let’s take a look!

1. Transform Your Hallway into a Functional Space

Hallways often become the neglected in-between areas of the home. While they are typically seen as passageways, hallways can be designed to be both functional and beautiful. With the right design approach, they can serve as an opportunity for additional storage or as an aesthetic feature in your home

What to do:

• Add Floating Shelves or Wall-mounted Cabinets: Hallways are perfect for extra storage. Install floating shelves to display art, plants, or books, or choose narrow, wall-mounted cabinets to store everyday items like keys, mail, and hats.
• Use the Floor Space for Storage: In narrow hallways, consider using stylish storage benches or baskets to store shoes or blankets. If space allows, a small console table can offer a spot for mail and keys, while also providing surface space for decorative items.
• Incorporate Mirrors to Open Up the Space: Hallways are often small and narrow, so mirrors can help make them feel larger and brighter. Choose decorative mirrors with unique frames to add visual interest while improving light flow.

Photo c/o Timber Shelves

Photo c/o Digs Digs

Photo c/o Mirror Space

Get the Look – Take a look at some products that will help you transform your hallway and serve double duty!

I like these two mirror options because they have some unique features that work well to add visual interest and reflect light to create a more open appearance.

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I genuinely love and trust.

Long Mirror – Amazon

Walnut Mirror – Amazon

These slim storage solutions are perfect for adding character while keeping things tucked away. I like that both of these can be used individually OR you can put two side by side to fill a long hallway and contain even more!

Blue Gray Shoe Storage – Amazon

Wooden Half-Moon Storage – Amazon

2. Convert Unused Corners into Cozy Retreats

Sometimes, all it takes to make a space feel more welcoming is to give it a clear purpose. Take, for example, a forgotten corner in your living room or bedroom and picture it totally transformed into a cozy retreat or a functional area with the right design ideas.

What to do:

• Create a Cozy Reading Nook: Add a comfortable chair or small chaise lounge, some throw pillows, and a floor lamp for reading. This can be a lovely way to turn a neglected corner into a peaceful space to unwind.
• Design a Mini Office or Study Corner: A simple desk, ergonomic chair, and good lighting can easily turn an empty corner into a productivity zone. Add organizational elements like wall hooks, a small filing cabinet, or a bulletin board for extra function.
• Create a Relaxation Zone: If you have the space, turn an unused corner into a mini meditation or relaxation area with floor cushions, plants, and calming décor. A quiet retreat in the corner of your home can be a perfect way to de-stress.

Photo c/c Curated Interiors

Photo c/c Curated Interiors

Photo c/c Curated Interiors

Get the Look – Here are some ideas and products to get you started on the right relaxation nook!

These oversized chairs are distinctly designed with relaxation in mind.

Oversized Blue Chair – Amazon

Rattan Egg Chair – Amazon

Ivory Round Swivel Chair – Amazon

I like that the tall white shelf keeps everything uniform, but the open back keeps the design airy and allows your books to serve as display items! This wooden shelf is great for a nook that is located in an area with sloped ceilings.

5 Tier Bookcase with Adjustable Shelves – Amazon

Low 8 Cubed Self – Amazon

3. Reimagine an Untapped Niche into a Bar Experience

The idea of having a bar area does not have to be complicated and does not require a large area. With just the right unused niche (and a little planning), you can achieve this for yourself!

What to do:

• Add Cabinets in a Corner or Niche Area: Many homes have small corners or niches that connect our living spaces. Select an accent color to liven up the space or keep your design neutral and let other elements make the statement.
• Introduce a Bar Cart or Coffee Station: If you love coffee or cocktails, dedicate a corner to a stylish bar cart or coffee station. Add a statement piece of furniture, a tray with your favorite bottles or mugs, and a touch of greenery for a functional and beautiful nook.
• Stack Shelves or Hang Wall Cabinets to House Barware: Unused walls or passthrough areas serve as a great platform for open shelving where specialty glasses and bar essentials can be at the ready. Or find a unique small vintage cabinet and mount it on the wall to hold accessories and your favorite cocktail mixes can be stored.

Photo c/o Good Housekeeping

Photo c/o Good Housekeeping

Photo c/o Good Housekeeping

Get the Look – The best way to get this kind of look is to add built-in’s. FunCycled can actually help you accomplish this as part of our Design Services. If you are inspired by something you see here (or another pic), let us know. Or if you need help pulling together the design before the project starts, I would love to help! You will find the link to get started posted below.

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)

Hi friends!

We just got back from a beautiful week away with my family, sneaking in one last quick hurrah before the new shcool year starts! I love this annual trip, and I am so thankful for the memories we make!

With the start of school upon us, I wanted to share some helpful design ideas and organizational tips for getting back into the groove of a new school year. Even if you don’t have children in your home, there is something unique about this time of year that can bring a smile to our faces and energize us to get organized for a new routine! Today’s Tuesday’s Treasure will share ideas mostly geared toward keeping our kiddos organized for the school year routine, but certainly, we can all take a few hints and tips that translate into any home! Enjoy!

MUDROOMS & ENTRYWAYS

One really cool idea for your entryway or mudroom are is to convert a closet into a mudroom or entryway station. I love this idea for two main reasons. NO. 1 – because for many of us, we have limited amount of real estate to designate for this purpose, so using a closet means we don’t have to find a new place. We really only need to rethink the way it is used! NO. 2 – using a closet means we have the option of having closed in storage. This is HUGE for many of us because we know that entryways and mudrooms often house a lot of clutter, so just keep the doors in place OR as is shown in these examples, install a barn door to create visual interest and save on space! If you don’t find a barn door that will match what you need or are looking for, FunCycled can do that for you! Check out our Custom Built Barn Doors.

Photo generated by AI

Photo generated by AI

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I genuinely love and trust.

Amazon

Amazon

Hall Trees – Another option to consider is adding a hall tree to an empty wall area inside your entrance. Whether at the front or back of your home, whether a big or small area, there are several options and varieties of hall trees. Check out these two great options. When considering what to purchase, be sure to think through hooks for small bags, scarves, etc. as well as a place for shoes and shelving which can be used to hold baskets for tucked away storage or even display a special tchotchke!

STORAGE SOLUTIONS

The key ingredient to keeping things organized is to have the right storage solutions. A variety and sizes of baskets is a great plan, and I have pulled together some picks that serve a variety of purposes.

Baskets

https://amzn.to/470ghvS

Amazon

Freestanding Shoe Storage

Baskets are just one part of the organization and don’t account for one of the biggest culprits of clutter (not to mention a major tripping hazard!) For this reason, I would also suggest considering your shoe storage. As seen above, this is something often “built into” the hall tree, but the number of shoes that can be accommodated is somewhat limited with this. I like the options below. Both are compact and fit easily into an entryway!

Amazon

Amazon

Picture courtesy of Pinterest

With either of these shoe storage solutions, you could put a calendar or bulletin board above to house reminders or important paperwork for school or even for work!

I also saw this cool idea for the shoe storage. In the image to the right, you will see how one mom used a drawer to hold binders and notebooks for her kiddos to have at the ready to grab for school! Such a great idea, right?! I love thinking outside the box : )

Wall Hooks

A quick note on wall hooks. Most of them are not designed to hold a full backpack. So if you intend to have your kiddos put their backpacks on a designated hook, make sure the backpack is NOT full. I strongly recommend you use cubbies or oversized baskets for backpacks and let the hooks hold coats, scarves, and lighter weight items! Here are some hook options that are clean and streamlined and allow the colorful coats do all of the talking!

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Finding Their Names

There are many options for signage, but I like the simplicity of custom metal names to help designate zones and let’s your child find their name and keep all of their stuff together! Look at this nice option, totally customizable on Amazon.

WORK ZONES

Okay so when considering work zones for kids, the KEY to this is organization! It is a must – everything has a place and everything in its place (thank you, Benjamin Franklin, for coining this important mantra!) In keeping with the idea of unused or hidden spaces, converting a closet into desk and work space for kids is a great option! Check out this inspiration photo below.

Photo Generated by AI

Of course sparing a closet for this may not be possible in your home, so here are some other ideas for capturing unused areas and turning them into a work zone.

• NO 1 – A small or narrow landing area
• NO 2 – A small corner or alcove area
• NO 3 – An unclaimed wall that only serves as a pass through for traffic

Photo courtesy of Decor Pad

Photo courtesy of The Spruce

Photo courtesy of Classyclutter.net

If you have this kind of unclaimed space and want to convert it to a work area, check out these floating desk options. Floating desks are functional and they help preserve floor space which is a critical factor when considering small space work zones. And because of their smaller scale, they can work side by side if you want a “line” of desk areas.

Amazon

Amazon

Desktop and Wall Storage

This is always an important component. When purchasing and planning, keep in mind accessibility. The options below are great because they are compact but can hold a lot of things and can function in one designated section even if it is an area that has to be shared with others!

Amazon

Amazon

Lighting

Wall sconces are the way to go for adding lighting to a work area. Here are some good options to consider. Keep these things in mind when planning and purchasing:

• Compact
• Direct lighting
• Whether you can hard wire or need something that has to plug into the wall
• Make sure the “on/off” functionality is easily accessible (I like the pull chain on light option 3!)

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

KIDS ARTWORK

Well, it likely goes without saying that our kids can generate an overabundance of artwork throughout the school year. Keeping up with it, organizing it, and evaluating what can be displayed is altogether overwhelming! While there are a few good solutions, I want to share the solution I found to be super user friendly, fast, and streamlined for my kid’s artwork!

Artkive– this is a great option for “saving” your children’s artwork throughout the school year without having to actually save it! Simply snap some pics, upload and select from Mosaic Artwork or an Art Book. I love that it is not overcomplicated. Below is an example of the Mosaic Artwork and the Art Book.

Well, I know we looked at a lot today and this blog post is certainly not a comprehensive review of back to school organization, but I do think having a few ideas to inspire and encourage is important as we look to another school year season! As you embark on a new season and routine, remember to have grace for yourself and for your family because even the best of organizers may have a moment or two of disorganization! Have a great year!

Thank you all for following along! If you’d like to get this blog in your email once a week, please sign up for our weekly newsletter by adding your email in the little box below my picture at the top of this page. 

If you’ve enjoyed this post, please like FunCycled on  Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest if you don’t already. Keep up to date on the newest finds, vote on colors and give your input on our creativity. We share fun tutorials, great before and after, and new design inspirations. 

We offer interior design, kitchen cabinet painting, and custom built tables, barn doors, and repurposed furniture. Thank you, again, for working with us and for taking the time to spread the word about what we do. 

Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)