Celebrating small spaces: Choose furniture that serves a dual purpose

Making the most of what you have is often easier said than done. But regardless of space constraints, smart planning can go a long way in creating your dream home.  The most important point is to focus on style and function – and also weave in the element of functionality. After all, what you are aspiring is a stylish decor statement.

Picking up smart furniture – that serves multiple purposes is the mantra for modern living. With living spaces getting crammed, the furniture weaves a tale around your abode making it look larger than life and yet, acting as a storage solution.

What you need to keep in mind?

Space:

Ask yourself how much space you have goes spare? This is an important question to ask yourself considering your home – small as it is – shouldn’t’ feel too cluttered. The idea is to do away with smaller pieces and add furniture that can work in various purposes. Study the unit’s floor plan and look at key areas where to fit your basic furniture pieces. Provide for the essential needs first such as beds, dining and living sets then if space still allows put your accents such as corner tables and dividers.

In a shared or small living space, low stools can be used in place of a coffee table whilst also providing extra seating when you have visitors.

Style

Keep the furniture to a bare minimum and let them work as accent pieces. Keep it simple and minimalistic since dual purpose furniture is complicated in design. No matter how amazing a design appears, opt for design that sticks to fulfilling the brief without any extra fluff.  Merge form and function. Look at form as the beauty of the piece while function is how it will serve the small space.

Consider the color of the piece. Go for lighter colors for smaller spaces as lighter hues make the space look bigger.

Add mirrors to create illusion of space. Big mirrors add space and make the interiors brighter because they reflect the light onto the surfaces. If possible, strive for little pieces those that are not too bulky. Bulky pieces cramp the space and are sore to the eyes.

Dual purpose

(In the above picture – The elegant banquette serves as seating for both the dining table and the living room, plus it stores linens and towels underneath.)

Look for pieces that serve dual purpose. Sofa beds are perfect for the cramped spaces. Ottomans can double as a storage space for cozy quilts and blankets. Vintage suitcases can become a footstool with built-in storage. Dressers and hutches are the perfect pieces to hold a television and house magazines, board games, extra throw pillows, or linens behind closed doors.

A blanket chest can serve as an attractive coffee table while storing Christmas decorations or your craft items. Benches can be built to serve as both seating and storage in the kitchen or dining room. In a bedroom, use the empty space under the bed for storing toys, seasonal clothing, or extra pillows and blankets.

Vertical storage such as dressers can draw the eye upward, making the room appear larger. Built-in window seats are not only functional for storage; they add a wonderful visual interest to any room. Desks should have plenty of storage capabilities while being functional at the same time. The elegant banquette serves as seating for both the dining table and the living room, plus it stores linens and towels underneath.

(In this picture – Since the master bedroom is small, nesting tables work in as a beautiful accent – one can be pulled out at night, and pushed out of the way when not needed.)

(In this picture – baskets are a great storage solution – they look delightful, weaving a cosy atmosphere around your home, yet double up as a keen storage solution.

Furniture Size

Size matters especially in a small spaced home. Most dual pieces are on the larger size and need space. The thumb rule is sticking to pieces which have a bold and make a strong statement, but cutting down on the clutter.

Clean and organised storage is a crucial requirement, even more so in small space home. The trick is to reach out to choose furniture pieces that work for your storage requirements while also adding to the style quotient of your home.

Anandita Ray, Interior Designer, Bangalore says, “Storage heavy pieces do not imply bulky designs. Sleek and stylish designs are available to make even small space neat and organised.”

Modular furniture is perhaps the greatest complement to small spaces, especially given that they can easily take the shape of your room, by making the most of the available space. These movable pieces of furniture will let you experiment with different combinations that best suit the dimensions of your room.

Commonfloor recommends: Streamlined furniture – as their smooth lines dictate that they’ll take up less space while adding to the illusion of added space by blending into any setting.

Furniture position

Avoid creating a cluster by placing a bulky dual purpose piece near another large piece – the look and feel can be quite overwhelming. Place the furniture in a minimal setting – near a window or a corner. Avoid placing large pieces in narrow pathways and cramped up space like an entrance. Play with the available space and opt for a narrow, dual purpose console at the entrance, as this does not take up much space and won’t come in the way.

The idea is to subtract the small insignificant pieces and add their function to a larger piece of furniture.

Don’t be afraid to break the rules: Create a furniture arrangement that’s “different.” For example, you don’t have to have a sofa and love seat in your living room just because everyone else does. Instead, try for comfortable armchairs. In the bedroom, if your bed works best when it’s covering part of a window, so be it. An unexpected setup might make your space more useful – perhaps giving you room for a dresser or desk that wouldn’t fit in a traditional arrangement.

Get Creative: Commonfloor celebrates top 7 inspired ideas for small spaces

Wrap the couch in bookcases instead of using end tables.

A tucked away little desk in a cosy corner or under a staircase is optimum space utilisation.

Adequate-sized closets can be hard to come by, but if you have an extra one, make the most of it. Turn your spare closet into so much more than a storage compartment. Create a tidy home office that you can shut away when it’s not in use.

Narrow wall shelves are an excellent way to store bathroom essentials in a stylish way. Invest in attractive canisters to hold cotton swabs, cotton balls and your favourite lotion, and place unsightly toiletries under the vanity. Small wicker baskets can also be placed on the shelves for additional, hidden storage.

Simply chic – this tiny living area boasts of a study, a home office and a tucked away living room. Opt for thin racks and use wicker baskets as storage solution.

The beautiful distressed wood bench works its way as an interesting accent – against the dining table or in your entry way or place it in your living area. Dramatic and bold – the decor blends beautifully with any theme that you have threading through your house.

The beautiful wall accentuates the space and makes it larger than life.

Read more decor relates articles:

Tips to take care of your wooden furniture

Eco-friendly furniture for your balcony

Green Interior Design: Eco-friendly furniture to decorate your home

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