Let’s talk about giving rooms some breathing room. From our experience in our last house, we learned that leaving a little empty space makes a room feel calmer and more inviting. That’s why, after some thought, we decided to remove the cluttered shelves that used to fill the little nook beside the fireplace. I actually took them down a few days after we moved in and realized I hadn’t shared the photos when I wrote my list post—so here’s the story of that small decluttering project.
We plan to add storage ottomans and either build or buy a media console with ample storage elsewhere in the room, so we’ll still have plenty of places to tuck things away without overcrowding this corner. Opting for fewer, well-placed storage solutions helps preserve balance and keeps the space feeling open.
Balance really matters to us because it keeps rooms feeling relaxing and cohesive. A shelf-filled niche on one side of the fireplace would have made that small corner feel visually heavy, while the long, blank wall on the opposite side would have looked stark and unbalanced. That’s why we decided the shelves had to go—why pack a tiny corner with an oversized solution when it would better serve a larger wall?
Of course, different people prefer different looks—some would have loved to keep the shelves. I, however, was eager to get to work. My screwdriver-as-chisel technique got the job started:
The wood shelves lifted right out, but the metal supports were stubborn thanks to long nails. Still, I managed to remove them solo while John watched Clara, proving that small home projects can be a quick win for one person. Girl power indeed.
Removing the hardware left the wall a bit beaten up in places where nails had clung on. Nothing major, but the surface needed attention.
A little spackle fixed those dings right up. The previous owners had left a lightweight spackling compound, so I tried it instead of the heavier traditional stuff we usually buy.
My verdict: I loved it. The lightweight spackle is airy and whipped—almost like shaving cream—and it’s easy to spread into a smooth skim coat over nail holes and larger gaps. Look how clean it looked after smoothing:
I used a flexible metal putty knife to apply it, and although the manufacturer said sanding wasn’t necessary, I still gave the dried patches a light pass with high-grit sandpaper to ensure a perfectly smooth finish. This lighter spackle is now on my regular shopping list—great for quick repairs and refinishing after removing shelves or other fixtures.
We haven’t tracked down the exact wall paint to touch up these spots yet (it might be hiding in the basement), but if we can’t find it we’ll bring home white swatches to match the closest tone. Better still, we may seize the moment to repaint the whole room in a soft gray and refresh the trim with a glossy white—an overall update that would make the corner blend seamlessly with the rest of the space.
Right now the small nook looks simple and uncluttered, which is exactly the point. We’ll share updated photos as the room evolves—after painting, adding a few well-chosen pieces of furniture, and hanging more art. For now, that bit of empty space feels like a welcome pause. It’s also perfect for kids who love to hide in plain sight—close your eyes and you’re invisible, right? Those imaginative, carefree moments are part of what makes a home feel lived-in and loved.
Pssst—We announced our random winner for this week’s giveaway. Click here to see if it’s you.