How to Create a Multi-functional Room

Whether you are working with an open floor plan, optimizing a smaller space or just spending more time at home, multi-functional rooms can provide the flexibility you need while still offering a clean, streamlined design.

EVALUATE THE USE OF YOUR SPACE

Start by considering what you’ll use the room for and how often. For instance, if you’ll use it as a home office 80% of the time and a guest room 20% of the time, you’ll want to prioritize the office part of the space, using perhaps a sleeper sofa that can double as a guest bed.

• Use lighting to define spaces within a room. A chandelier over a dining room table, a wall sconce next to a reading chair, or bedside lamps around a bed can create zones within a room.
• Storage is everything. To keep your space from looking cluttered, invest in furniture with storage for smaller items.
• Don’t overlook vertical space. If you have tall ceilings, think about how you can use vertical space for storing anything from books to a media center.
• Think multi-functional or fold-away furniture. Folding chairs or a Murphy bed can be easily put away when not in use, or a large computer screen could double as a TV.

When using your creativity, the ideas for interesting, multi-functional rooms are endless:

• A tub in your bedroom: By properly distancing the tub from the bed, you can pull off this look.
• A music corner in your living or dining room: Downsizing your furniture can create space for playing your favorite musical instrument.
• Your child’s playroom in the bedroom: With plenty of storage, you can keep the bedroom neat and organized when it’s time to sleep.