A $431 Big-Box Find Transformed This “Weird Corner” into a Dreamy Dining Nook
Many homes have a spot that’s hard to figure out, whether it’s a tiny alcove in a living room or a too-big-to-ignore space under the stairs. In Bergen Flom’s (@berg_ilicious) home, she had what she describes as a “weird corner,” or as she explains, “one of those awkward, empty spots so many people have in their apartments.” Bergen’s former “weird corner” sat within the large, open room in her 1920s Edwardian San Francisco apartment that serves as both her dining and living areas.
“What I didn’t like was how impractical it felt; it was wasted space,” she says. “What I did like was the potential — the corner was tucked, naturally cozy, and I could imagine it becoming a perfect little nook with the right design … I wanted to honor [my home’s] charm while giving it a modern, folk-inspired twist.”
Here’s how Bergen took the corner from “lifeless” beige to a snug, personalized dining nook for just over $1,000.
Finding the perfect bench was key.
After scouring Pinterest for ideas and creating accompanying mood boards, Bergen started the long search for a corner-shaped bench. “I wanted it to balance the charm of my Edwardian architecture with my personal eclectic style,” she says. “I looked at hundreds before finding one on Amazon that perfectly matched my dimensions and had the right character.”
She found a $431 option and assembled it with the help of her partner, Kyle. “The ‘built-in’ look saves space and adds charm,” Bergen says, adding that chairs would’ve made the space feel too cramped.
Cushions soften the look.
Bergen didn’t want the corner to look “too wood-heavy,” so she ordered striped custom cushions. “Measuring was straightforward, and they arrived exactly as envisioned,” she says, though she toys with adding a blue or red or something more colorful.
“But honestly, I’m thrilled with how it turned out,” Bergen says, calling the custom cushions a satisfying way to make something feel tailored to your home, even as a renter. “It felt chic!” she says.
The lighting got a renter-friendly upgrade.
Bergen also swapped out the light fixtures for new pendants — “a small but renter-friendly change that tied everything together,” she says. One of her favorite details is how the diamond pattern of the lights matches the floors and the new art print.
She finished off the corner with a new lamp, some books she found for free on the street, a thrifted bowl, and a plant from Facebook Marketplace. In total, the transformation cost just over $1,000, and Bergen says she’s proud of the final result that functions as a breakfast spot, a work zone, and a place to gather with friends.
“It was my first time really taking a corner from ‘blank and awkward’ to ‘built-in and intentional,’ and I feel like it unlocked a new level of confidence,” she adds. “Every morning, when I sit here with my tea, I’m reminded that ‘making it yours’ doesn’t require owning — it just requires intention.”
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