How to Effectively Use Multifunctional Furniture
Over the last few years, there has been growing interest in multifunctional furniture as people look to make better use of their floorspace.
Here are eight tips to help you make the most of multipurpose pieces in your home.
1. Think vertically and increase your storage. For instance, a tiny bedroom can accommodate guests and home working with the help of a ladder desk and a Murphy bed that has integrated storage.
2. A ladder desk isn’t the only multifunctional furniture you can use to create a compact home office. For example, a bedroom dressing table can double as a desk. Alternatively, you could use a bureau, sideboard or dresser with a slide-out desk. If you have a bit more space, there are cabinets and cupboards available that open up into workstations.
3. Use furniture to zone different areas of an open-plan space. Bookcases and display shelves can be used as screens to separate off small areas, and a modular corner sofa can be arranged so that it defines a seating area.
4. When you only have one living space, modular furniture can be easily adapted and expanded, enabling you to switch your layout around to suit different activities, such as conversing with friends or hosting a movie night. Modular seats and storage units are also simple to add to and reconfigure as your family grows and/or your needs change.
5. If you’d like to welcome more guests but struggle with space, consider using extendable and convertible furniture like an expandable dining table with foldable chairs and a sofa bed or chair beds.
6. To boost storage and seating in every room, look for storage bench seating for the dining room and hallway, and sofas and day beds with hidden storage in the living room and bedrooms.
7. When you’ve got a compact home, smaller solutions like ottoman-style coffee tables and bathroom mirror cabinets are a great way to sneak in more storage without losing valuable floor space.
8. Stick to simple, classic designs and materials like plain wood and neutral-hued upholstery to enable pieces to work in more than one space.
Sylvia James has worked as an interior design expert for more than 15 years. She also provides expert interior design tips and advice for HomeHow, and her tips have been published in a range of leading press publications.
Clare Tattersall and www.realtorontowest.com disclaim any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this article and disclaims all liability in respect to the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this article. The opinions of the writer are their own and are in no way influenced by or representative of the opinions of Clare Tattersall or www.realtorontowest.com.
