Faux fireplace? Cool coffee table~

Built in book shelves or computer desk.

Well it looks like a great place for a TV if you could orient the room that way but I really can't tell from the picture. Otherwise a credenza would look awesome there and add storage while barely sticking out into the room. You could add built in shelving. You could make it a cozy seating nook with a settee or a couple small chairs.

I would do a built in bookcase or bookcase/desk or media cabnite. That niche is great. It gives some interest to that side of the room. I'd do it in dark tones (cherry, ebony - whatever works with the other dark colors - like the side chair frame).

I can't tell for sure, but it looks like it's wired for light from above - even better.

Built in cabinet. For sure. Drawers on the bottom, shelves on the top. Depending on whether or not it needs to be flush with the wall for traffic purposes, it could also be a nice desk area- maybe with a drop-down front like a secretary. For whatever reason, whenever I see a home with a nice built in piece of furniture, I'm always impressed.

You could create a mini sitting nook: built in banquette with cool pillows and 2 curtains framing the opening to make it look bigger or you could create an interesting vignette. Such as a display with a built in console, a table lamp on it and a big mirror or Art. I would recommend displaying a few beautiful objects on the console.

http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/sf/9-2-small%20spaces1.jpg

This seems like it would be perfect since it looks like it's really close to an entrance door?

How about a built in console to display a large piece of art over it? You could swap out a painting or a sculpture every few months and place collectibles on the surface. Underneath you could stack pretty storage boxes or baskets with extra pillows, books, etc for the sitting area.

One can never have enough closets!

We did this! When we removed the 80's wet bar and MIRRORED wall, we installed Elfa shelving over a desk that fit snugly in the space. It was the best "Office" I ever had because it was so compact and kept me really organized. You can always hide it with curtains or closet doors when you're not using it. But I think if you leave it open you'll be more likely to keep it neat.

built-ins!

Love Courtney's idea! or a customized built in shelving unit for books with a bottom storage bench which could second for shoe storage (can never have too enough space for shoes!).

Book shelves and display space!

What do you need? Closed storage space, a coat closet, a china cupboard, a desk, a place to hide kids toys, a cleaning cupboard, a crafting nook - the possible uses are infinite and only you know what you need. Your functional needs should determine what you do with the space. The 'look' of it is secondary to the function.

Love the built-in idea, but take it to the next level. Add a bold graphic colorful wall covering to the back wall and floating shelves instead of full cabinetry. Sprinkle with well-edited accessories and enjoy!

Buil-ins would be perfect there, plus they add value to your home: buyers love built-ins!

Also, don't know how daring you are but painting that nook a different color, or wallpapering would be fun!

Julie
www.julieloveshome.wordpress.com

I have a niche like that in my entry. I painted it a metallic moss green (Ralph Lauren paints from Home Depot a few years ago), and put in a credenza actually meant to hold a big screen TV (It has two glass doors and four square drawers that could hold discs). The thing just fits the width with a couple of inches to spare on each side, and looks like it was built for the space.

On the wall I placed a couple of small sunburst mirrors and a painting. On top of the credenza I have a vignette with sculpture and a manzanita branch which I decorate with ornaments at Christmas. I have a can light above which highlights the display, but I rarely use it.

The unit serves as storage and the niche, in general, functions a bit like a Japanese tokonoma.

I had same thing, and turned it into a 'butler's pantry'. Installed adjustable shelving system in the nook, and bi-fold doors to hide it all. I use it to store serveware, small kitchen appliances, cake-decorating stuff, seasonal dishes, paper napkins/plates, vases, candle holders, etc. I live in a small house, and the amount of stuff this closet holds is unbelievable.

Oh, and ironically, have the SAME ductwork above mine!

I think lining the nook with vintage rustic wood would unique and making shelves out of some type of metal...similar to the look of your coffee table...and maybe adding some type of inset lighting. Or better yet still use the vintage wood, but just install the shelves (or a type of bench) toward the bottom, hang a large picture in the center and flank the pic with two matching small vintage/antique chandelier's...

A variety of idea's come to mind: Built in shelves drawers on bottom, closet, computer desk with shelves above, small mud area since near entrance it seems or built in bench on bottom and shelves on top.

Although there's many excellent options for furniture and use of that space; the FIRST thing I would do is put a light (either recessed or pendant) in the centre of that space to highlight it as a little feature area and make it special.

That could work with almost any option besides up-to-the-ceiling built-ins; and it sets the space apart (as well as lighting the bench/desk/cabinet or whatever option you put in there)

Personally I would either put in a desk if I needed one; or a great old dresser or credenza and mirror with good lines; either in a gorgeous stain or eye-catching colour. And I would put one large decorative bowl/trifle bowl that is the ONLY thing allowed to catch clutter on it :)

We had the same issue in our last place. We used is for our computer desk and a small bookshelf. It worked really well. But yeah, that space would perfectly fit built in bookshelves (which I love- but this is your place, so it's obviously just an idea).

Office niche or a supply/storage closet for cleaning tools and products, extra toilet paper, etc

paint it out and add a storage bench. small people can use it as a little reading niche.

That would be a great place for an updated, stylish wet bar!

I'd do a partial built in, myself. Maybe the lower half with drawers or doors that open out and then the top with shelves. I wouldn't enclose the entire space with a heavy solid built in because I think that would ruin the entire point of having a little niche like that to work with.

By splitting it up like that, It can be functional and pretty without being too heavy as it would overpower the rest of your room. Another idea might even be to mount the mirror sideways (if you can, hard to see for sure from the picture) and just have a built in cabinet on the bottom part, there. Or use the space to showcase a piece of art similar to the size of that mirror, even.

Good one, GTTIM! I vote for a bookcase! You might even be able to find a cabinet or bookcase that fits in that space. I had a space like that about four living rooms ago, and one of my bookcases fit in it perfectly.

A really neat coat rack/storage center for shoes, umbrellas, etc. Perhaps with a bench to sit down and take your shoes off. The bench could double as storage!

Or a very large bookcase. Or a tiny desk/office area with a chalkboard/calendar/organizer that climbs up the wall!

xx.

Don't know if you are into fashion, but I have that same space in my living room and I'm making it a fitting room. I'm going to do full length mirrors on all sides. I am an image consultant so it makes sense to make it into this. I also rent and had no idea what this nook use to be.

Built in bookshelves for sure. Perhaps with cabinets at the bottom for added (hidden) storage.

A sitting bench / guest bed for mega-family gatherings.
An origami work bench / display area.
Glassed-in display case for fragile memorabilia.
A mirror and 100 candles.
Emptiness.

Really bad place for a tv. It is in a traffic pathway. Bookshelves make more sense.

Sculpture

Keep it as a bar. Install a cabinet (built in or free standing) in which to keep your less used and/or more embarassing liquors (ie hide the Midori). Put a tray on top to keep a half dozen of your essential bottles, and maybe a vintage cocktail shaker or designer glassware. Put a mirror or artwork on the wall at the back. Et voila, a sophisticated adult feature that's a world away from the tacky utility of your old wet bar.

paint it a contrasting color and place a big piece or art. If you have many photos or postcards criscros a wire and hang them all around

Whatever you do, make sure it's still 80ish - you won't find a floor plan like this anymore ;)

Put a built in bench with a nice cushion on the bottom, storage underneath. Then put a set of shelves flush with the ceiling. Next hang a piece of art. More seating for your living room and looks very custom instead of an obvious, "What used to be there?"

Since you don´t seem to NEED the space: Spots on the sides pointing to a very good piece of art and below it a small table or built-in shelf with great depth that displays a changing still life of what you love. And so the least loved corner becomes the most loved!

Think about what it is you are lacking in your home. You said the space was a catch-all for clutter, so do you need more storage space? You could put a console table w/ drawers or an armoire with hidden storage. Or put a bench for extra seating when you have a lot of guests. I also like the built in bookshelf idea above, and you could frame the cutout with molding so it looks truly built in and charming. It has tons of potential, but it's a little hard to guess what you might need in your home based on the one pic.

I had exactly this problem in my now sold but not forgotten 1970's condominium. I measured the space once the wet bar was removed (old, faded and peeling grass cloth! Ack!) and hunted around on the internet to find a bookcase that would fit. It took no time at all to find a really nice bookcase with glass shelves that fit right into the alcove. I dressed it up with cookbooks and pottery, and that was that. Extra book storage, lovely piece of furniture, done.

Can i have the wet bar?