The Hitch of the Niche

Having niches in your home seems like a good idea, right?  You envision spaces like this:

Debra Campbell Design traditional living room

Look at the great niche shelving here on the right.  Love the beadboard along the back.

Better yet – having a niche that is actually functional (not to mention beautiful!).

Gilligan traditional kitchen

Shingle style home in Hanover NH traditional home office

Intimate spaces, intimate art traditional bathroom

We have lots of niches in our new home, but they are much trickier to deal with than one would think, and they leave me longing for niches like the ones in the photos above.  Alas, I’m left with these:

Six niches.  Count ’em, SIX!  Some are the long skinny niches that are just a bit– bear to decorate.  Skinny Niches, I don’t like you.  Take the one on the far right – the decorative wrought iron thingy with the candles.  That was there when we bought the house, and I haven’t changed it since I didn’t know what else to put there.

I do have an idea though.  The niche with the faux scenery – when we get our family room repainted, I would like to paint over it and add some shelving.  Maybe glass shelves, since these niches have lighting.  I don’t know for sure yet.  But at least then the niche would be semi-functional, and allow for some display.  I don’t know that I would do that for ALL of the niches, but at least it’s a start. 

The fireplace niche I’m considering filling in altogether when we redo it with the stone veneer that I blogged about here.  With so many niches, I don’t think we’ll miss it, do you?  Especially since it’s a tall, skinny niche.  Away with you, skinny niche, I won’t allow you to leave me feeling inadequate!

11 Comments

  • Reply
    Elz
    April 13, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    You could panel some niches in beadboard, some in glass, some with wood shelves, some with glass etc. So they all feel different? Sounds like a tough architectural feature though! I'm sure you'll figure it out beautifully though 🙂

  • Reply
    A Vintage Vine
    April 13, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    I agree, the niches need to be functional..6, ouch!…..bring on some serious "Home Depot trying to figure this out trips"! Girl, your ideas always rock…this will too!! Great post!

  • Reply
    Rachel
    April 13, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    Ok, this might be a crazy idea, but could you bring one of the niches all of the way to the floor? I know that would require a little bit of drywall demo, but I wonder if it would look more interesting with a piece of furniture in it? Like a desk or cute little table. Just trying to think outside the box…. 🙂

  • Reply
    Tamara
    April 13, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    I really like the metal/candle sconce that you have in the one niche. Just me but the long skinny one might be nice with the glass shelves, depending on what room its in.

  • Reply
    Pam
    April 13, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    Wow, your builder definitely thought people liked niches! Good luck with filling them with treasures or filling them in!

    Pam

  • Reply
    The Starr Family
    April 13, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Hmmm. Well, good luck with those! 🙂 If I were you, I'd fill in the niches that just don't work? Pop some drywall up and call it a day! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

  • Reply
    Bee
    April 13, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    We have niches too and I agree… I call them something that sounds like that..:) I was thinking of putting thin shelves in with a little stop at the end of them to put some favorite books facing out… does that make sense? kind of like the Pottery Barn Kids ones?

  • Reply
    classic • casual • home
    April 14, 2011 at 1:06 am

    How beautiful! We are staying in a cool apartment in Paris on vacation. Come see.
    Following you. 🙂

  • Reply
    Brooks Interior
    April 14, 2011 at 1:21 am

    LOVE The pictures. I have a cubby at the end of my jacuzzi tub & I've never liked it either. But those glass shelves are Perfect! I have a couple of niches as well. One is at the top of my stairs. I'm thinking about painting it a contrasting color or doing the faux finish with tissue paper, paint & glaze. Its a focal point & really needs to be showcased. Time, Time… where do working women find TIME to do things for themselves???????

  • Reply
    Karen@StrictlySimpleStyle
    April 14, 2011 at 11:54 am

    When our home was being built we eliminated a niche because I felt it would be difficult to decorate around it. I like the idea of adding glass shelving to one of your niches. You could have one shelf to highlight a special item or fill the entire niche with shelves.

  • Reply
    Sydney
    April 14, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    Great looking house, very nice interior indeed

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