Unusual nook, how do I furnish and style it?

Please post a pic of this nook so we all can share our ideas with you.

Style as an reception area, with coffee or side table(Lamp) maybe, Large Mirror and Art on walls

Build shelves that look like custom-made. Use the bottom ones for storage

(use uniform boxes or basket). Or, close that space behind the couch with custom made cabinet doors. Display books and some decorative items on open shelves above the couch.

I would add a sofa table with a lamp and accessories. The overhead light is glaring so this could give you and option for softer light without taking up space in then room plus. The ability to set a drink down. Again without taking up space in the room.

A narrow width bookcase. Or two bookcases side by side. A narrow width console / buffet. Some china cabinets are narrow.

I concur with the bookcase or china cabinet option. It would give you much needed storage as well as a way to add accent lighting. If you use shorter bookcases, then you can add artwork and wall mounted wall lights. I got mine from IKEA for $10 each. If using taller bookcases, then strip lights or puck lights in the bookcase. If you could find a china cabinet of the right dimensions, that would be spectacular - painted a fun color and perhaps distressed. As so many china cabinets are formal, removal of the doors can give it dressed down look.

In that little depressed space directly behind the sofa, put in some shelves and arrange some knick-knacks, photos and books on them. On the space to the left, hang some cute signs, small paintings or small decorative mirrors. Hang a mantle style shelf over that square thing (looks like a boiler), anchor it with a large clock, painting, old window or even your TV. Weight it on both sides with tall candle sticks or vases and fill in along between them with small things such as plants. Put tall book shelves on both sides of it and decorate similarly to the shelves behind the sofa and place some narrow baskets in the bottom shelves to hold toys or something. Put a smaller size coffee table in front of the sofa and decorate lightly with a small vining plant. Place a chair and an end table with a lamp on it across from the sofa & coffee table. I can’t see the wall space across from your sofa so I’m not sure what I can tell you about that. I sure hope this helps!

Thank you for posting the pics. That gives a much better idea of the space. I'm going to post some suggestions in hope that at least one might be of help. Given you're in an apartment, I know there are limitations as to what you can do with walls so taking that into consconsideration.

1. Book/music/video shelves. Units can be found in many different widths, heights, & shelf depths. I have several of these in an array of different sizes & being used for things other than what they were supposedly designed for. Think size outside the box.

Examples: VHS tape shelf unit. Tall, not too wide & shelves not very deep front to back. I have DVDs, CDs flat stacked & candles in that unit. Another one with Dollar Tree baskets to hold office supplies etc, docking station, stationery, note pads etc making an office unit. I also do have an actual bookcase that would fit there. If you can't find one, would be an easy DIY build with just a few boards, nails or screws, & little paint - Home Depot or Lowe's would cut them for you if you need them to.

2. Plastic drawer organizers. Those come in different widths, heigths, & number of drawers. Stack them or not. This could be be placed behind the sofa so that side of it is next to back of sofa. That way you could step into nook to get to them. Area on top of drawers could be used as well.

3. Maybe a small tree to hang coat, hat, scarf on. Small trash can on opposite side or plastic tray on floor for wet shoes or boots.

4. Storing set of folding TV trays when having friends over & need extra end table or coffee table area for snacks & drinks.

5. Vacuum cleaner & broom nook. In living room? You say?? Sure. There are cute covers available now or make one to for those items.

6. Using a spring tension rod like used for showers & hang a nice curtain with hooks to hide stacks plastic tubs for storage that you don't want others to see. A verticle blind or accordion door wood work in place of curtain too.

7. If there's enough space behind the sofa, a small desk with chair opening on left side & open area under right side for small printer or trash can. If electric plugs are needed, get a power strip with a long cord & let it lay under back edge of sofa so it won't be seen. You might also be able to put a hutch type bookcase on top of desk for additional storage.

I hope these suggestions will give you a start for how to use this space for good purpose. None of the suggestions would cause much if any wall damage to have to repair when you depart. Vertical blind or accordion door being only 2 unless you hang a mirror or picture in that space abovabove shelves.

You are welcome to post back & talk to me. Ask questions if you have them.

What do you have a need for in this apt? How much space do you have? How many rooms? What kind of furniture? What styles do you like. Is the fabric draped sofa representative of your decorating? You have a lovely large seemingly ample space at your disposal, but we really don't know what YOU have a need for. We can look at the picture and say how it can be used . . . but what do you need most of all and how much is your budget for this space?

You can also consider a china cabinet - and use the top part for books and brick a brack. These are very inexpensive now at thrift shops as people are not using these for china sets in dining rooms anymore.

Whatever help with suggestions I gave that you can use & that works for you, I am very happy to have contributed. I'm sure it will all work out beautifully for you.