Spaces under the stairs, hall closets, dormer windows, slanted attic alcoves, and basement niches: these awkward areas are common, yet woefully underused. Nooks such as these are often found aplenty in older homes, but almost every dwelling has at least one odd corner or recess. Far from inconvenient eyesores or a waste of square footage, we see them as the perfect opportunity to experiment and play. Homeowners can gain additional, functional space by rethinking these tricky areas and by getting resourceful and creative within the home’s existing structure.