How to Transform a Niche (Simple, Budget‑Friendly Makeover)
Searching for small projects around your home that completely transform a room? This little niche makeover in our living room was one of those projects that made me smile from ear to ear — simple, budget‑friendly, and full of charm.
The Story Behind Our Living Room Niche
When you walk into our living room, there’s a small niche on the left wall. From the moment we bought our home, I wondered what the original lady of the house displayed there. Was she a glass collector? Did she showcase a favorite treasure? Older homes always make me curious — every detail feels like a clue to someone’s story.
For years, I filled the niche with a few random pieces: an Easter egg in a pot, a glass tree, a plate, and a handful of knick‑knacks. Nothing really made sense. It was definitely time for a makeover.
Why I Love Adding Our Own Stamp to This Home
One of my favorite things about living in an older home is imagining the lives lived here before us — but I also love making it our own. Every project, big or small, feels like another step toward creating a home that reflects who we are.
I’ve always been a vintage lover, but not every original detail in this house was something I wanted to keep. When we moved in, I took photos of every room, and looking back now, I’m amazed at how much has changed. Our foyer alone looks like a completely different space.
Documenting these changes became important to me — first for a book I planned to make for Mr. Vintage, and later through this blog, which was born during the early days of COVID. It became a way to connect with others and share the progress of our cozy English cottage.
Before the Makeover: A Blank Slate With Potential
Here’s what the niche looked like before we started:
- mismatched décor
- glass shelves
- metal strips inside the wall
- no real purpose or style
Step‑by‑Step: How We Transformed the Niche
1. Clear everything out
I removed all the décor and the glass shelves.
2. Remove the metal strips
Mr. Vintage took out the metal supports so we could wallpaper the inside.
3. Add wallpaper for instant charm
Yes — wallpaper again! Small spaces are perfect for bold patterns, and this rosy print (no longer available) makes me smile every time I walk by, try this damask pattern.
4. Work with the quirks of an older home
The niche isn’t perfectly square (older homes rarely are). The wallpaper wasn’t wide enough, so we patched one side. The curved corner required slicing the paper to ease it into place.
Not perfect — but perfectly charming.
Why Wallpaper Works So Well in Small Spaces
I’ll never wallpaper an entire room again (the mess we inherited cured me of that), but small doses? Absolutely. Wallpaper adds:
- personality
- color
- pattern
- a custom look
- a sense of history
And best of all — your neighbor won’t have the same one.
The Finished Look (And Why It Makes Me Smile)
Once the wallpaper was up, I sat in the living room and just smiled. The pop of color, the roses (my favorite!), and the way it brightened the whole space made the effort worth it.
We put the shelves back in, and I rediscovered something fun: There’s a light at the bottom of the niche.
I like to imagine the original homeowner displaying a glass collection that sparkled under that little light. What do you think she showcased?
A Peek Into Our Home’s History
We’ve been told that our home and the one next door were built by the same builder using Indiana limestone. The neighbor’s home was built in 1935 with a turret entry, while ours — a cozy English cottage — was built in 1950.
What’s Next for This Little Niche?
Come back Saturday to see how we style our newly wallpapered rose niche. I’m still playing with ideas — and knowing me, I’ll keep tweaking it until it feels just right.
Do you have a niche in your home? How have you styled yours?
Happy Friday Eve (that's what we call Thursdays around here) from our cozy cottage to yours.
You're off to such a pretty start. Love the paper. And I love the story of your home. Our home is from the 1920's and we are the third owners. We have lots of stories and details about our home, and tons of pictures that date back to its beginnings. However there are still mysteries around here...the charm of an old home.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Kim, you have a lovely home, I love your cottage and how you decorate it! Wow, 3 owners that is pretty awesome. We also heard that the last owner moved in and cried the whole first night she was here, so she had the movers come back the following day and she moved back into her previous home. She had her sister move in and she lived here until she passed, then she rented our home to a couple who lived here until she passed away. When she passed, there were five homes in her estate. I often wonder if she had moved into each of the homes and decided her original home was it for her or if she purchased them for investment reasons... it is so interesting to find information about older homes...
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