The 10 Best Furniture Pieces for Filling Awkward Areas in Your Home, According to Designers

Ask any small space dweller and they’ll say the same thing: Finding ways to maximize every square inch of a room is essential. Fortunately, you can find unique furniture that’s specially designed for odd areas of your home. That way, you can take advantage of every nook and cranny in your place. From arched floor lamps to asymmetrical side tables and more, these 10 designer-approved furniture pieces will fill those awkward corners and slivers of space in your home, so you can live large no matter your square footage.

A wall-mounted nightstand provides bedside storage without occupying an inch of floor space. “These floating nightstands have become my go-to for awkwardly-sized bedrooms,” says designer Emma Beryl. “Along with hidden storage and double surface space, they can be inexpensively customized to the exact size that you need. I like to order them unfinished and paint them the same shade as the wall so that they make the space feel a little larger and look even more custom.”

Buy: Urbansize Floating Bedside Table, Starting at $164.31 from Etsy 

Dreaming of a dedicated workspace but stuck in a tiny studio apartment? Designer Jenelle Lovings of Jenelle Lovings Design Studio suggests investing in a clean-lined, corner-shaped desk. “When you have a small space, utilizing the corners is imperative,” she says. “This desk from Crate & Barrel is the perfect solution. It’s a full-sized desk with USB ports integrated into the desk for easy charging.”

Buy: Tate Walnut Corner Desk with Power, $799.00 from Crate & Barrel

A slim floor lamp with a curved frame can supply overhead lighting in even the smallest of spaces. Not only does this chic statement lamp feature a pretty marble base and unique double cylindrical shade, designer Dominique Fluker of DBF Interiors says it can squeeze it into just about any tight spot. “An arched floor lamp can maximize a cramped corner or the sliver space between your sofa and the wall while adding depth and visual interest the area.”

Buy: Mason Floor Lamp, $149.99 from Verishop

Turn an awkward accent wall into an ample storage opportunity with the help of a tiered wall-mounted shelf. “For some reason, there always seems to be a random angled wall somewhere in a home,” Lovings says. “Instead of ignoring it, embrace it by installing a floating wall shelf to create storage in an otherwise hard-to-fill space.”

Buy: Ranjeet 3-Tier Display Wall Shelf, $65.99 from Wayfair

When a room calls for a nightstand or side table but the space is limited, designer Tracy H. Gould of LT Design Studios says a C-shaped table is a smart solution. “The Horizon Side Table is lightweight and versatile and can slide into just about any sliver of space, thanks to its thin, curved base.” 

Buy: Horizon Side Table, $228.00 from Anthropologie

When you don’t have room for a floor or table lamp, Loving says plug-in wall sconces that plug into an outlet and don’t require any hardwiring are the way to go. “This swing arm style is perfect for a narrow bedroom with slender nightstands (if any),” she explains. “You can still get much needed bedside lighting without taking up valuable real estate on the nightstand.”

Buy: Curvilinear Mid-Century 2-Light Long Sconce, $299.00 from West Elm 

If you’re looking for a functional way to fill an awkward gap in your living room behind your sofa, for example, Fluker says to consider a tiered bar console. “Not only will it create more storage opportunity, but the clean lines also won’t add unnecessary visual clutter to a tight space,” she explains.

Buy: Brazoria 43.3″ Console Table, $239.99 $166.99 from Wayfair 

A shapely side table with soft, rounded edges can transform a random corner into an artful yet storage-savvy scene. “This curved ceramic side table is small enough to fit in a cramped space and has an asymmetrical shape that adds interest to an otherwise empty area,” says designer Larisa Barton of Soeur Interiors. “I’ve used it in a powder room to place tissues and other small bathroom accessories on it.”

Buy: Vera Ceramic Side Table, $159.00 from Urban Outfitters

According to Lovings, some areas of your home feel awkward simply because there is no true definition of space. “Everyone thinks they want an open floor plan, but really they want open yet defined spaces,” she explains. “Adding a room divider or a screen is a great way to give the illusion of separation of space. This is great when you have a studio apartment and want to add a layer of privacy, especially when you are entertaining.”

Buy: Ida Screen, $399.00 from West Elm 

If you’re struggling to carve out room for seating in a small space, lifestyle blogger Michiel Perry of Black Southern Belle recommends a classic, clean-lined settee. “The Cumberland settee has simple lines that would work well in a narrow room with awkward angles where you don’t have enough space for a sofa,” she says.

Buy: Cumberland, Starting at $1,595.00 from Dwell by Cheryl