Find Your Home's Hideaway

Everyone desires a place to relax and reflect on the day's events. While a blanket stretched over a soft patch of grass will do in the summer, the winter often keeps us limited to indoor spaces. Finding an area to just relax in a house filled with family members and guests can be difficult during the colder months, but don't go booking that hotel room just yet. There is a solution to the cramped quarters blues and that solution is nooks. Every house has unused space, be it under a window or in a kitchen corner, that can be transformed into a special spot fit for relaxing, reflecting and relieving stress.

Windows provide natural light and a view of the world around you. If you need a spot to sit and think, a window seat is your best bet. In addition, window seats can add character to any room. Most families only use the dining room for meals, if that. Why not take advantage of this otherwise abandoned area of the house and transform it into your special spot? With the right cushions and design scheme, it can be a place to collect your thoughts and draw inspiration.

In the mornings, I like to take time to consider my plans for the day and any goals I hope to achieve. With a nook that doubles as the perfect place to eat breakfast, you can combine tasks and your morning reflection in style. Include throw pillows to this space for comfort. For those of us who aren't so good with mornings, it provides a soft and comfortable transitional stage before being thrown into the hustle and bustle mornings often contain. On laid-back nights, you can even use this space for board games or crafting. Either way, it is a space adaptable to a variety of activities based on your needs.

For those of you just interested in a space to soak in all things plush and cozy, try a nook in a space that is otherwise entirely unused. For instance, a cushion placed on a bench against some unused wall space could provide the perfect perch for reading, playing a game or daydreaming. Be sure you get a cushion that is soft and comfortable so you can stretch out and nuzzle in. Depending on where the nook is, you can play up the decor within the room by choosing coordinating or complementary colors.