following

For me, it’d be a book/Kindle/laptop reading paradise. :)

I’d put up pretty wallpaper (or paint) in the inset part only, find a good carpenter to do lighted built-in shelves, and get a comfy chaise with small table and floor lamp. Maybe a pretty accent rug, too. It’d be cozy and pretty, and look like an actual “room” of its own, rather than just awkward extra living room space. The chaise wouldn’t be completely in the nook, but sticking out at a bit of an angle.

I’d remove everything along the wall except for the chest. I love plants, so I might put one in the area somewhere (next to the chest or in front of the window by the bookcase, or both). And interesting artwork.

If not built-ins, then I’d find a more substantial bookcase or armoire with doors.

What a great feature! Hope you’ll show us what you decide. I’m sure others will have creative ideas for it. I do like your idea of bookcases and desk, too — I’d want the desk arranged with a window view if possible. It’s hard to tell dimensions from these photos.

ETA: Love your floors!

Thanks, everyone! I'll get back to replying later, but in the meanwhile here is our floor plan.

I agree that having the alcove filled with a custom built in would be a great solution for book storage. Perhaps a portion of it could be behind doors for some of the books and the other shelves could have a combination of books and decor.

Do you need a desk for working from home or would a comfortable chair with a C table for your laptop be sufficient?

Hey folks. So getting back to the awkward space behind the couch. Instead of making the alcove a reading space with bookshelves, I was thinking about a built-in bookcase on the wall, sort of like this image. Would that be appealing?

http://centsationalgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ikea-besta-billy-bookcase-combo.jpg

Also, here's another view of the wall from the living area.

I would do a great dry bar in the inset - put some mirror in the back of it with open shelves - maybe a wine fridge below - on the back wall I would try to have nothing so it looks nice and open (large at work would tie the room together)

You said your needs are a place for your books and a place to work from home. I completely understand why you don't use the desk in it's current place because you're looking at a wall. If you rotate your desk and place it where the sofa table is, you'll be able to look out over your room and even see outside if you keep binoculars in your drawer. :) Place your built-ins on the back wall and leave large open spaces to hang artwork in, then store office supplies like printers, scanners behind cabinet doors. My printer and other unattractive electronics are on slide out trays. Plan ahead and get sufficient electrical and/or HDMI cables to power everything before you put your bookcases in.

I like Jinx' idea about wrapping the bookcases around the corner because as much as I love books, they can look like a lot of clutter and there's no way I'm turning the spines to the wall. You can group the books by color or size so they look much more tidy and keep the back wall as an attractive focal point that is also very functional.

Lucky you!

Deb - great idea but we aren't drinkers so I don't think we'd get much use out of a bar.

JT7abcz - I like the idea of putting the desk behind the sofa. However, with a wall of built-ins behind it, there may not be enough space. I could move the couch forward a bit, there would still only be 6 1/2 feet clearance between the rear of the sofa and the wall. That might be tight to put a desk and built-ins in that space. The room is very bright and airy and I don't want to make it feel constricted.

If I do a wall of built-ins on the back wall, I think the alcove will end up being my workspace. With COVID-19, I'm working from home for the first time and a dedicated work from home space is something I need. While the desk would face the wall, immediately to the left would be a floor-to-ceiling window to the outside so I don't think that would feel too confining.

Thanks everyone for the great ideas!

If you're ok with your desk facing the wall, here's an idea that has knee space underneath, task lighting above Disregard the glass table in front.