Living Room Corner Ideas: 10 Ways to Fill an Empty Corner

We’ve all had it happen. We finally get a room furnished, think everything looks just right, and then notice it…that lonely, empty corner! Suddenly, it’s the only thing we can see!

Sometimes empty corners are necessary. They give our eyes a break and keep a room from feeling too crowded. But other times, they just feel…well…empty! The challenge is figuring out how to fill an empty living room corner without making the space feel cramped. And thankfully, you don’t always need another large piece of furniture.

I love tackling those hard-to-decorate spaces, whether it’s behind the couch, above the bed, above the fireplace, or on tall walls. So putting together some living room corner ideas was right up my alley!

If you need a little inspiration, I’m sharing 10 ways to decorate an empty living room corner, from plants and accent chairs to artwork and small tables. I’ll also share a few tips for choosing what works best in your space, especially when you’re dealing with an awkward corner or a smaller room.

If you need a little inspiration, these living room corner ideas will help you turn an empty corner into a space that feels intentional and complete.

Before You Decorate an Empty Corner

Before deciding what to put in an empty living room corner, take a look at the space itself. Is it beside a sofa, near a doorway, or tucked between two windows? The location and size of the corner will help determine what works best.

For example, a narrow corner might be perfect for a tall plant or floor lamp, while a larger space could accommodate an accent chair or small table. You’ll also want to consider lighting and traffic flow so that whatever you add doesn’t make the room feel crowded or interfere with how you move through it.

Pay attention to the scale of your accessories, too. Something too small can look lost in a large corner, while an oversized piece might make a smaller space feel cramped.

Creative Corner Decoration Ideas

Here are 6 small-scale ideas to decorate an empty corner to make it feel more connected to the rest of the room.

10 Living Room Corner Ideas

Whether you have a small, awkward corner or a larger empty space, these living room corner ideas will help you find a solution that complements your furniture and decorating style.

1. Tall Plants (Real or Faux)

A tall indoor plant is one of the easiest ways to fill an empty living room corner while adding a beautiful organic shape to the space. Look for something with enough height and fullness to soften the corner without overwhelming the surrounding furniture.

In my living room, I tucked a tall leafy plant behind my wingback chair to soften the corner and add some height. I love how the greenery fills the space without crowding the seating area or requiring another piece of furniture.

I also have a smaller faux olive tree in the corner of my dining room that I adore! It comes with a weighted plastic base, which I simply place inside a decorative container and cover with moss. It’s an easy way to make a faux plant look more realistic.

You can also group several smaller houseplants together to fill an empty corner. Varying the heights and leaf shapes creates a layered look without needing one large plant. I get asked about these particular planters quite often! Unfortunately, I don’t know where these exact ones are from, but you can find similar planters at Wayfair.

And if you’re lacking a green thumb (like me!) or your corner doesn’t get enough natural light, take a look at my favorite faux plants for some realistic options.

2. Decorative Ladders

A decorative ladder is a great way to fill a narrow living room corner without taking up much floor space. It adds height and texture without feeling too bulky, and depending on the style, it can be functional, too!

I used to have an old orchard ladder in my family room corner, where I displayed a collection of antique grain sacks. I even dressed it up for the holidays!

I’ve since swapped it for a decorative wooden blanket ladder. It serves the same purpose but has a slightly more refined look that works better with my decorating style.

Blanket ladders are perfect for displaying throws, quilts, or vintage linens. If you have a larger corner, a freestanding A-frame ladder with sturdy, shelf-like steps can also display books and decorative accessories.

3. Corner Shelving

Corner shelves are a great way to decorate an empty living room corner without taking up valuable floor space. They provide extra storage and display space for books, artwork, greenery, or even a collection of your favorite things!

If you want your shelving to blend in, try painting it the same color as the walls. This helps minimize its visual weight, especially in smaller rooms where you don’t want the corner to feel too busy.

For more of a statement, consider contrasting wood shelves or a staggered arrangement. This creates a more eclectic look and gives you room to display decorative objects of different heights.

If you have a larger corner and need additional storage, a small corner bookshelf or floor-to-ceiling bookcase is another option. Just keep in mind that a full bookcase will have more visual presence than open shelving, so choose a size that feels balanced with the surrounding furniture.

4. Accent Chairs and Reading Nooks

If you have enough space, an accent chair can turn an empty living room corner into a cozy spot for reading or relaxing. Add a small side table and a lamp, and you’ve created a simple reading nook!

But you don’t necessarily need room for a full seating area. Even a petite chair can fill an awkward corner and add a little personality. I especially love the look of an antique chair styled with a stack of books or a vase of flowers, like this charming example.

For something a little more playful, consider a hanging chair. It can create a cozy corner without adding another piece of furniture that sits directly on the floor. Just be sure you have adequate clearance and a ceiling structure that can safely support it.

For a more casual approach, a few oversized floor cushions can also turn an unused corner into a comfortable little lounging area. This works especially well when you want flexible seating that can easily be moved out of the way.

5. Artwork

Artwork is a wonderful way to decorate an empty living room corner, especially when you don’t have room for another piece of furniture. It adds color, personality, and visual interest without taking up valuable floor space.

For a larger corner wall, consider creating a gallery wall with several pieces of art. I love how the picture rail in this example allows the artwork to hang at different heights, creating a collected look full of character and charm.

For a narrow corner, try hanging two or three pieces vertically. This draws the eye upward and makes use of wall space that might otherwise go unnoticed. Choose frames in similar finishes for a cohesive look, or mix styles for something more eclectic.

And who says artwork has to hang on the wall? Leaning and layering artwork creates a more casual look, especially if you enjoy mixing different frame sizes and styles. Just make sure the pieces are secure and won’t get bumped as people move through the room.

Another option is to use a decorative art easel to display one large piece. This works especially well in a more spacious corner where you want the artwork to become a focal point. I love this easel from Ballard Designs, available in brass or bronze.

6. Small Tables

The beauty of using a small table in an empty living room corner is that it can serve a practical purpose or be purely pretty! A petite side table is perfect for a smaller corner, while a larger round table or antique piece can help fill a more generous space.

Even the smallest table gives you an opportunity to create a decorative grouping of objects, known as a vignette. A lamp, flowers, books, or a favorite antique can turn an otherwise unused corner into something special.

And don’t feel limited to traditional side tables! An antique sewing table, small console, or vintage desk can work just as beautifully, adding character along with a little extra surface space.

For a larger corner, I love the look of a round table layered with books, baskets, and collected objects. A round shape is especially nice for softening the angles of a corner, and it provides plenty of room to display your favorite things.

7. Bar Carts

A bar cart is a stylish and practical way to fill an empty living room corner! It can be tucked out of the way when not in use but is always ready when you need it. Look for a cart that fits comfortably in the corner without blocking the walkway.

Of course, you can use a bar cart for its intended purpose, displaying pretty glassware and your favorite drinks. But it can also hold books, a vase of flowers, framed photos, or other decorative accessories. We don’t really drink, so I’d be more inclined to turn one into a coffee station!

I love this brass bar cart from Pottery Barn! It’s a beautiful way to add a little warmth and shine to an otherwise unused corner.

8. Large Floor Lamp

A floor lamp is a great way to fill an empty living room corner while adding much-needed lighting. Choose a lamp with enough height or an interesting shape to give it some presence. Otherwise, it might just disappear into the corner…whomp whomp!

An arched floor lamp can extend over a nearby chair or sofa, while a traditional floor lamp with a pretty shade adds warmth and makes the corner feel more inviting. Either way, it’s an easy solution that doesn’t take up much floor space.

9. Corner Desks

If you don’t have a dedicated home office, an empty living room corner can be the perfect spot for a small workspace! A corner desk makes use of two adjoining walls, giving you a functional place to work, pay bills, or tackle everyday paperwork.

Look for a desk that fits the space comfortably, with enough room to pull out a chair without blocking the walkway. If your desk is visible from the main seating area, consider a style that complements your other furniture. A pretty writing desk can feel just as much like a decorative piece as a practical one!

10. Corner Cabinets

A corner cabinet is a great way to fill an empty living room corner while adding extra storage. It takes advantage of vertical space, and unlike open shelving, a cabinet can help keep everyday clutter out of sight.

I love the classic look of this York Corner Cabinet from Ballard Designs. Its traditional styling gives it the character of a built-in piece, making it a beautiful option for an otherwise unused corner.

When to Leave a Living Room Corner Empty

Here’s something worth remembering: Not every empty corner needs to be decorated! Sometimes the empty space is exactly what a room needs to feel balanced.

If your living room already has several large pieces of furniture, a busy gallery wall, or lots of decorative accessories, leaving a corner open can give your eyes a place to rest.

The same is true for corners near doorways or walkways. Good traffic flow is more important than filling every available inch of space. And if adding something makes the surrounding furniture feel crowded, that’s usually a sign to leave the corner alone.

My advice? Before adding anything, take a step back and look at the room as a whole. Does the corner actually feel unfinished, or are you simply noticing that it’s empty? There’s a difference!

Sometimes the best decorating decision is knowing when to stop.

Final Thoughts

There are lots of other options that you can consider for your empty living room corner – sectional sofas, sculptures, dress forms, corner cabinets, large mirrors – but whatever you choose, just make sure that it coordinates with the rest of your decor so that it doesn’t look like an afterthought, even if it was!

More Hard-to-Decorate Spaces

• 28 Creative Ideas for Decorating Tall Walls
• 10 Stylish Ideas for What to Put Behind a Couch
• The 28 {Best} Ideas for Decorating Above the Bed
• Learn How to Decorate a Mantel in 3 Simple Steps