Turning dead space into a piano nook

When a house is only 1100sqft, you can't afford to waste space. When we moved in, there was a dead space in the middle of the house -- a 10'x12' area facing the front door that wasn't quite a hallway, entryway, or room. I wanted to put this space to work.

What we started with

The house came with narrow, decorative shelving with track lighting. It was a good start, but I thought we could do more with the space. Here are some before images, with the previous owner's staged furniture:

BEFORE: the dead space

BEFORE: shelving

Our plan

I wanted to repurpose the space to serve three functions: a piano nook, front hall closet, and general storage space. To do all three, I wanted closed shelving around the piano. I couldn't find too many examples of this online, but I loved these:

Megan Bachmann designed a cabinet to fit around our piano, which Bachmann Woodworking built for us custom. It cost way more than I expected (and took longer, too), but the craftsmanship is top-notch. They spent two days installing it around our uneven floors and walls, which makes it really feel like part of the house.

The finished piano nook

Here's the finished product -- a multi-tasking area with space for my beloved piano.

Entering the house

When you enter the house, the first thing you see is the piano nook.

Full view of cabinets

The cabinets span the full length of the wall, with a flat piece behind the piano.

Full view from the living room

View from the living room

Peeking through the doorway is a painting by Michael Hammer, part of a set of three in that hallway.

Entry console

Only a skinny console along this wall because it blocks the path to the door. Large painting by Donna Walker, console table by STOR.

And for funsies, here are some shots of the details in the space.

Paintings by John Larriva

Hooks from Marz designs

Knobs from The Foundryman

Rug from Old New House

Mason & Hamlin 1916

The whole piano