For over a decade, our guiding principle in home renovation has been, “The middle makes no sense.” This mantra encourages embracing the journey of home transformation without the pressure of instant perfection. It reminds us that it’s perfectly normal for your house to be mid-renovation, partially furnished, or simply in a state of limbo. The key is to take your time, experiment with ideas, and adjust your course as you go. Live with a space for a while – whether it’s a short period or an extended one – to truly understand what you love, what you use, and what brings you joy. Discard the unrealistic expectation of a perfectly finished home right away; it often takes years to reach that point. Instead, allow your spaces to evolve naturally in ways that genuinely serve your family and enhance your happiness. This patient approach invariably leads to a home you deeply appreciate and find incredibly functional.
Our bedroom’s once-awkward corner stands as a testament to this philosophy, having undergone a transformation that, at one point, became quite peculiar – but ultimately, beautiful.
For those seeking further inspiration and practical advice on floating shelf projects, we’ve curated a comprehensive guide. This post offers an array of 16 DIY shelving ideas, encompassing everything from pantry shelving solutions to robust storage shelves for sheds, complete with numerous tips and tutorials to help you maximize your space efficiently.
Let’s rewind to fully appreciate the journey this corner has taken. Just three years ago, when we first moved in, its appearance was a classic example of “working with what you have.” At that time, our initial vision involved constructing a built-in closet in this very spot, a concept beautifully rendered in an earlier post. However, as often happens in renovation, our plans evolved, leading us to install a much larger closet system elsewhere in the room. This shift perfectly illustrates the wisdom of living with an idea, letting it marinate, and then confidently course-correcting as new insights emerge.
To give you a better sense of the layout, the wall on the left side of the photo above is the same wall where our bedroom fireplace is situated. The gray dresser, partially visible on the right side in the image below, is the very same piece shown in the ‘before’ picture.
This particular corner presented unique design challenges for a couple of key reasons. Firstly, the walls do not meet at a precise right angle; in fact, they form a distinctly acute angle, a detail that becomes even more apparent as we delve further into this post. This non-standard angle made fitting conventional furniture a real puzzle. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, this corner is prominently visible from our kitchen and main sitting area. We often felt uncomfortable with guests looking directly into our private space, prompting a strong desire to make it appear as “un-bedroom-like” as possible. Here’s how that view appeared right after we moved in:
You might also recall this corner as the spot we once considered ideal for a second bathroom, should the need ever arise. While that plan is now on hold – possibly indefinitely (you can read more about our one-bathroom living here) – for a significant period, this potential future transformation deterred us from making any substantial improvements to the space. The prevailing thought was, “It’ll all change if it becomes a bathroom, so why bother?” This mindset led us to stop short when installing these built-ins around our fireplace, leaving a gap on the right side, anticipating a future wall that would define the new bathroom’s footprint.
For a considerable period, this corner remained as depicted, featuring a blue inlay dresser topped with a mirror. From a narrow perspective, perhaps just glimpsed from the doorway, the dresser itself appeared quite appealing.
However, when viewed within the broader context of the entire room, this isolated “moment” truly failed to make cohesive sense. It felt disconnected and somewhat out of place.
Even shifting slightly to the right of the doorway from the sitting area revealed the blue inlay dresser looking somewhat awkward, simply sitting adjacent to the more integrated built-in cabinet. This visual disharmony highlighted the need for a more thoughtful and cohesive design approach.
Was this a major crisis? Far from it! We comfortably lived with this arrangement for about a year. However, over time, it became increasingly clear that we were reserving this corner for a potential future bathroom plan that was becoming less and less probable with each passing day. This realization prompted us to shift our focus and consider what we truly desired from this space in the present, rather than passively waiting for a distant future to make it more useful. It was incredibly liberating to explore alternative, more immediate, and ultimately, more “permanent” solutions for this area. Crucially, we sought changes that could easily be undone within a day, should our hypothetical bathroom plans resurface in 2029 (after all, cabinets and shelves are far from permanent fixtures!).
This thoughtful approach led us to a design solution that we absolutely adore. It not only achieves our goal of presenting a visually appealing and non-bedroom-like view from the kitchen but also provides an abundance of highly functional storage, cleverly balancing both concealed and open display options.
The core of this transformative change involved three primary design elements:
- We meticulously extended the existing Ikea Besta cabinets, ensuring they now stretch seamlessly from wall to wall.
- To achieve a truly integrated, custom look, we skillfully built them in with precise trim work and stunning countertops, a detail well worth the effort.
- Finally, we installed three long, elegant Ikea Lack floating shelves directly above the new cabinetry, adding both visual interest and practical display space.
While we explored several other possibilities, including a more elaborate built-in hutch with glass accents, we ultimately gravitated towards the clean, modern aesthetic that this combination offered. This design not only looks fantastic but also feels like a solution that will gracefully serve our needs for many years to come. If I were to place a bet, I’d confidently wager that the bathroom addition will remain a distant thought.
We experienced a stroke of luck with this project: Ikea’s standard Besta cabinet dimensions fit along this wall with remarkable precision. It felt like a small miracle, especially considering the pronounced, non-90-degree angle where the walls meet, as clearly visible below. This perfect fit instantly allowed us to add another 70 inches of valuable storage by integrating three more cabinets. We then seamlessly replicated the same tried-and-true process we’d used before to give the Besta cabinets a built-in appearance: adding baseboards, meticulously filling any gaps, and topping them with a sturdy butcher block countertop.
If you refer to the image above this one, you’ll observe how extending the butcher block counter to fill that peculiar, pinched corner instantly minimized the area’s visual awkwardness. This continuous surface effectively camouflages the challenging wall angle, creating a much more cohesive and intentional look. (You can explore this corner in more detail within the video Sherry recorded later in this post). It’s truly amazing how custom countertops, extending from wall to wall, can effortlessly mask a multitude of quirky wall and corner imperfections! And rest assured, the end cabinet still opens wide enough, allowing ample access for storing and retrieving items.
In fact, the single open cabinet you see in the image above now neatly stores *everything* that previously resided in the blue inlay dresser. This means our thoughtful renovation not only streamlined the aesthetic but also granted us the equivalent of two bonus cabinets worth of additional concealed storage space. This is, of course, in addition to the invaluable vertical storage we gained with the three floating shelves above the countertop!
Speaking of those shelves, our process for determining what to install above our freshly integrated cabinets and counter was, shall we say, highly scientific. We began by acquiring three 72-inch floating shelves, but we weren’t immediately committed to hanging all of them. Through a combination of practical methods – holding the shelves up to visualize their placement, marking outlines with painter’s tape on the wall, and even sketching ideas onto photos using Instagram’s editing tools (truly a modern approach to design!) – we ultimately concluded that all three shelves would be the perfect fit.
The trio of shelves felt perfectly balanced, preventing any single shelf from appearing either too crowded or excessively sparse. Moreover, this configuration provided precisely the right amount of surface area for the collection of items we envisioned displaying. With two tall bookshelves already upstairs housing a significant portion of our book collection, we appreciated the opportunity to use these new shelves for a thoughtful mix: a selection of books, vibrant plants, cherished art pieces, and other beloved objects we enjoy seeing daily, adding personality and warmth to the space.
Since I just mentioned our other bookshelves upstairs, here’s a peek at them. As you can clearly see, our approach to styling bookshelves consistently involves a delightful mix of art and plants. These particular units are the Ikea Fjalkinge shelving units – yes, more Ikea finds! And before the ‘book police’ descend upon us, while it’s true that these shelves display about 50 of our most aesthetically pleasing hardcover books, we also have an entire Besta cabinet in our bedroom, near the fireplace, brimming with our favorite paperbacks and other reads. We believe in both visible beauty and practical, hidden storage for our beloved collection.
Now, let’s bring it back down to the bedroom and detail how we smoothly executed this elegant update. A common question Sherry receives on Instagram pertains to the drywall anchors we favor for projects like this. For shelves designed to bear a significant load, it’s always ideal to secure them into at least one or two wall studs, or as many as possible for maximum stability. However, for those instances where hitting a stud isn’t feasible, these 75lb EZAncor anchors are an absolute game-changer. They are incredibly straightforward and quick to install, making them our preferred choice. We relied on these exact anchors to hang our floating shelves, and they are exceptionally secure.
Our primary goals for this space were clear: to create more concealed storage, to beautifully display cherished objects, and to establish a view from the doorway that doesn’t overtly suggest, “This is our bedroom!” We are delighted to report that our new solution remarkably checks every single one of these boxes. And speaking of aesthetics, has anyone ever known a shelf that Sherry didn’t thoroughly enjoy styling? I certainly haven’t witnessed such a phenomenon!
And for those who frequently inquire about Sherry’s reach (it’s a surprisingly common question!), rest assured she can easily access anything on the bottom two shelves. For the items gracing the top shelf, she relies on my strategically long arms – or, more practically, we have chairs and a trusty step stool readily available! It’s all about thoughtful design meeting everyday functionality.
For those who wish to experience the full scope of our bedroom’s transformation and truly understand how this innovative corner solution integrates into the entire room, Sherry recorded a helpful video. This video tour offers a dynamic perspective, including an excellent view from the kitchen door, where we typically enter. It also elaborates on our design strategy of adding height throughout the room to draw the eye upward, demonstrating how these new bookshelves effectively balance other tall elements. You’ll get a clear visual of the significant storage gains, thanks to her enthusiastic pointing!
Note: You can watch this video on YouTube for a comprehensive tour.
To bring this post full circle, let’s revisit an impactful “before and after” comparison. Remember this initial view from the very top of the article, captured right after we moved in?
Now, that same corner has been utterly transformed, presenting a striking new aesthetic. (If you’re curious about the fate of the mini-split, this post provides all the details.)
It’s incredibly gratifying to finally “make sense” of this particular spot, which had been lingering in limbo for nearly three years. The transformation has resulted in a space that is not only far more aesthetically pleasing but also significantly more functional for our daily lives. We’ve not only gained the equivalent of two entire Besta cabinets worth of concealed storage, along with three floating shelves providing valuable vertical display space, but we also enjoy complete peace of mind. We know that if our needs ever change again, nothing we’ve installed was overly expensive (thank you, Ikea!) or permanently fixed (hooray for screwdrivers!), making it entirely reversible down the road. This flexibility is a cornerstone of our evolving home design philosophy.
UPDATE: SIX MONTHS LATER! A Refreshed Perspective
Sherry here! I’m thrilled to share some updated photos showcasing how this corner of our bedroom has continued to evolve. It has truly become one of my absolute favorite spots in the entire house. I’ve fully embraced a delightful “mermaid-core” vibe here, which means anything pastel, iridescent, or an actual crystal – like these captivating iridescent quartz pieces! – finds a welcome home on these shelves. It’s a whimsical, serene, and deeply personal aesthetic.
I’ve also found immense joy in incorporating pieces we’ve personally created. The charming pastel birds, for instance, were crafted during a workshop I attended with friends. You’ll also spot some of my own pottery, original art pieces, and even a heartfelt painting by my son. And, of course, the collection continues to grow with more crystals, including a serene blue calcite orb and a vibrant green aventurine star, each adding its unique energy and beauty to the display. This corner is truly a reflection of our creativity and the things we hold dear.
Here’s a wider shot that offers a more comprehensive view of how these shelves now beautifully integrate into the entire room. We recently enhanced the fireplace area with a stunning new mirror, which has truly elevated the space, creating a distinct and special focal point within the room, making it feel more deliberate and designed.
Another perspective reveals the full array of the floating shelves. While the fireplace area maintains a serene, tone-on-tone ambiance with its white mirror and sculptural sconces, the shelves burst with a vibrant riot of shiny colors and lush, vining plants. This dynamic contrast is something I genuinely adore, creating a captivating balance between calm sophistication and lively personal expression.
I’ll conclude with this updated shot, illustrating how gracefully this transformed corner now presents itself from the sitting area. It harmonizes beautifully with the colorful art displayed above our sofas, and I particularly appreciate that the view through this doorway no longer overtly signals “bedroom” (avoiding the sight of a bed directly upon entry). Instead, it could effortlessly pass for a cozy library, a welcoming family room, or another shared communal space – a truly pleasant sight to behold from our main living area, blending privacy with an inviting aesthetic.
It’s incredibly rewarding to reflect on the evolution of these shelves over just six months. To see them transition from this initial styling:
…to this vibrant and personalized display, truly showcases the power of continuous refinement and the joy of creating a home that constantly evolves with your tastes and passions!
Explore More Floating Shelving Projects & Ideas
If you’re eager to discover more of our floating shelf creations – whether custom-built or skillfully installed – we’ve compiled a collection of additional posts to inspire your next home project. These resources offer diverse solutions tailored for various spaces and needs:
- DIY Non-Chunky Floating Shelves: Learn how we crafted elegant, slender floating shelves for our old Bonus Room.
- DIY Floating Wood Shelves: A detailed guide on installing stylish wood shelves directly onto a kitchen backsplash in the Duplex.
- Easy “Faux” Floating Shelves: Discover our clever technique for creating the illusion of built-in floating shelves in our Beach House Office Nook.
- Floating Storage Shelves: Practical and robust storage solutions for our current Laundry Closet, maximizing utility in a small space.
- Simple Floating Closet Shelves: Easy-to-implement shelving ideas that brought organized storage to our son’s room.
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