Corner Time

Corner time is a common practice in Dominance & submission that involves a submissive partner being placed in a corner or other designated area for a set period of time as a form of punishment or element of humiliation. This practice is often used as a disciplinary measure for disobedience, disrespect, or other types of misbehavior.

The act of sending a submissive partner to the corner is symbolic of their removal from the center of attention and their isolation from the Dominant partner. It is a way for the Dominant partner to assert their authority and to remind the submissive partner of their place within the relationship. This act can be particularly effective in situations where the submissive partner has been acting out or challenging the Dominant partner's authority.

During corner time, the submissive partner is typically instructed to stand or kneel in a certain corner or area of a room, usually facing a wall, while the Dominant partner watches them. The submissive partner may be required to keep their hands behind their back or their head down, while being prohibited from speaking or moving during the punishment, remaining in this position for a set amount of time. This period of time can vary depending on the severity of the offense and the preferences of the Dominant partner and can last from a few minutes to an hour or more.

In some cases, corner time may be combined with other forms of punishment, such as sensory deprivation or verbal reprimands, in order to reinforce the message and make the punishment more impactful for the submissive partner.

For the Dominant partner, corner time can be an effective way to establish and maintain control within the relationship. By requiring the submissive partner to stand in a corner, they effectively remove them from the normal flow of daily activities and create a space where their authority and rules take on immediate physical dimensions.

Corner time can be an effective form of discipline because it provides a period of time for the submissive partner to consider their behavior and the consequences of their actions. This can help to reinforce the power dynamic within the relationship and remind them of their role as submissive. By forcing them to face their actions and accept their punishment, they have the opportunity to atone for their guilt and begin to rebuild their relationship with their Dominant partner.

Besides being a form of punishment, corner time is often used as part of more complex BDSM scenarios involving elements of psychological play such as erotic humiliation, degradation, sexual objectification, role-playing (see RPG), and more.

In some cases the submissive may be required to remain in the corner while the Dominant engages in activities elsewhere (for example while changing into fetish clothing), deliberately excluding them (for example masturbating on the bed next to them) or emphasizing their position as an observer (for example in a cuckold scenarios). This psychological dimension can evoke feelings of anticipation, longing, and heightened arousal, while simultaneously reinforcing power dynamics and control.

For other corrective practices, used in BDSM see kneeling on rice.