It’s an interior design style dilemma, how to brighten up and fill an empty corner of a room.

If you have an awkwardly shaped corner, you can use colour blocking to soften or emphasize the architectural features, as well as furniture. A stool, ottoman or side table are all ideal options to fit into a small niche. Also, floor lamps, tall plants, a mirror, or shelving can occupy the space while adding interest.

Read on for more inspiration and a short styling guide to utilise and incorporate in your home.

1. Lighten up a dark corner with a highly polished and reflective surface

Great for small spaces, the high gloss, marble look Hallie Round Side Table is an ideal choice. Looking good in an otherwise empty corner of the room against most colours and flooring. By adding a table lamp, it will look both tasteful and functional as a soft evening light alternative.

2. Add a round footstool or ottoman to soften the space and harsh right angles

This elegant, lightweight Freya Puff Footstool, available in beige, light grey or dark grey, adds a soft velvet touch to the room, and is cosy, minimal, and practical. Another handy item, to pull out and as a guest stool, as and when needed, but also looks pretty in its place.

If you’d like a smaller, narrower option, go for this light grey Belle - Velvet Stool, with a 34cm diameter and a lovely gold metal trim on the base.

3. Make the corner of your room feel fresh and bright by adding plants

3 is the magic number in interior design. They say objects arranged in odd numbers are the most pleasing on the eye. And this Set of 3 Square Concrete Plant Shelf Units is oh so lovely to look at. Square in design, and made of concrete and wood, the three different heights, 75cm/97cm /118cm, allow you to display plants of varying heights, shapes and form, by staggering them and layering up on texture. Great together as a cluster, or across the room from one another.

If you prefer the equation of two, then this Set of 2 Concrete Planters on a Wooden Stand with wooden tripod legs and classy curved form ceramic planters, is a little more petite, W.36.5 X H.47.5cm/W.40 X H.56.5cm.

4. Add a mirror to reflect light and open up the space

This fabulous white Louis Rectangular Mirror is part of the John Reeves' signature and internationally acclaimed Louis collection, fresh from New York and looks simple and refined in a crisp white lacquered finish. We love the instant luxe look and minimalistic design, in laminated MDF with premium grade lacquered and veneered pieces, giving the impression of a casted shape for a one off, designer item.

5. Add interesting shelving, such as a ladder bookcase to give the illusion of height

This four-tier Stir Ladder Bookcase, is ideal to display your books, ornaments, and frames, in a light natural shade, reminiscent of oak. Oak is a classic look, and easy to combine with other colours and textures in interior design.

The great thing about the Stir Ladder Bookcase is it creates a visual illusion, owing to its height, making the ceilings seem taller than they actually are. Along with the fact that the unit is lifted up off the ground on legs, adding to the light, airy effect. A great space saver.

Another little snippet we love: The diagonal slit detail on the white cabinet doors adds an interesting angle, literally.

6. Hang art

Turn your living room corner into a small-scale art gallery, and combine large and small art pieces. It’s a great way to liven up any space.

Your very own curation of beautifully arranged collections of photographs, drawings and paintings. Or simply one art piece, can be just as much of a style statement.

Sometimes less is more.

7. Use every inch of the space for storage

A tall unit such as this Colorado High Cabinet - 194cm, looks so slimline and fits right into an alcove or corner of your room. It comes in a stunning

Sand Grange Oak, complete with 4 cabinets and a total of 6 interior charcoal grey shelves, so lots of storage space.

8. Lighting

At Out and Out, we have style ideas for every budget, and sometimes small lighting can make a big difference.

Use spot lights, an uplighter, floor lamps, or a gorgeous desk lamp, like this white designer Morom Modern Desk Lamp. Made from Bamboo, the most sustainable wood species, it’s sleek, chic and will give you that warm glow and ambience to light up an empty, otherwise awkward or unused corner of your room. To bring a look together and add that final finishing touch.