Highlighting Wall Niches

Wall niches add valuable architectural interest to a room.

If you have a wall niche in your home, consider yourself lucky. Wall niches add decorative and architectural interest to your home, both of which are lacking in many new homes today. A wall niche also allows you to assign a place of honor to a beloved piece of art, pottery, or some other special decorative item. Go the extra mile and highlight the wall niche itself to create an even more prominent focal point.

Paint

Instead of painting your wall niche the same color as your wall, choose a contrasting shade to draw the eye to your niche. Paint only the back surface of the niche a contrasting color, and leave the sides the same shade as the wall to give the niche even more importance. When choosing a color, something lighter or brighter than your wall paint will stand out more than a shade that's darker. Metallics reflect light and give a lit-up effect to your niche while darker colors can make an overly large niche seem a little cozier. Use a color that contrasts with what you plan to place in the niche so the items stand out.

Light

A brightly lit niche certainly attracts more attention than a dark one. Installing a small light at the top of your niche effectively shows off not only the niche but the items it holds. If installing a light in your niche isn't possible, use an art spotlight lamp or adjustable track lighting on the ceiling, and aim a spotlight directly at your niche.

Wallpaper

Like paint in a contrasting color, wallpaper in a contrasting color draws the eye to your niche. Wallpaper, however, has the added benefit of pattern. When choosing wallpaper for a niche, see that the pattern fits the scale of the niche, meaning the smaller the niche, the smaller the pattern. Don't let the price of expensive wallpapers intimidate you. Because your niche is a small space, it won't take much wallpaper to cover it.

Mirrors

Mirrors are another means of getting your niche noticed. Not only will the mirror reflect light, but it also will reflect an image of the items placed in the niche, and to a lesser degree, your room. Get a mirror or glass shop to cut a piece to fit your niche's back wall, and install it with mirror adhesive. One consideration is the back of your decorative items. Ensure they are as lovely as the front as the mirror will offer views from the back.

Molding

Trimming your niche with molding gives it even more architectural interest and makes the niche look more substantial. Also, molding nicely frames any items you place in your niche. For the most cohesive look, paint the molding the same color as the crown molding, base molding or other trim in the room.

References

• "Decorating with Architectural Details;" Philip Schmidt and Jessie Walker; 2005; page 109
• Inviting Home: Expanding Place with Large Wall Niches