There is no denying the fact that home sizes today are shrinking, families are getting smaller and life is more fast paced than ever before. Designing for small spaces can be a challenge, but one thing you need not sacrifice is style! This is where multipurpose furniture can prove to be a lifesaver. High on both functionality and aesthetics, these pieces of furniture are just right for small spaces. “Compact living does not imply that one has to compromise on the glam quotient of their home. The key to transforming a small space into charming chateau is multi-purpose furniture. Functional furniture, which has topped the décor charts, is here to stay and make your lives hassle-free” says Saloni Khosla, Head of Bespoke, Pepperfry.
Versatile in nature
Multipurpose furniture has gained importance not only due to the growing trend of dwindling homes but also due to their inventiveness and versatility they offer. “Modern multipurpose furniture can aid in achieving better convenience, mainly in homes with restricted living space. It is a versatile and space-saving option and these smart pieces of furniture are easy to organize and the concept is quick to implement and flexible” says Hemil Parikh, Founder, Elysium Abodes LLP.
Multipurpose furniture is designed to do double duty and sometimes even triple duty, performing different functions at different times of the day. “It could be your coffee table that cleverly hides four stools for seating below, the ingenuous wall panel that miraculously transforms into a bed, or the bookshelf that can be pulled down into a desk. By allowing you to use the room available in multiple ways, this furniture leaves your floor space free and reduces clutter in your tiny home” says Dipti Das, AVP – Design, HomeLane.
Options Galore
If you are living in a small apartment, a great way to make it spacious is to introduce a multi-purpose space-saving sofa set that can double up as a bed and also provide storage.
You can consider having a sofa set which has concealed desk attached to it or even opt for trendy seating options which have sneaky shelves for book storage. “In case you have children at home, you can consider giving them more play space by opting for sofa-cum-beds which come with play lofts constructed over them. A hydraulic folding bed for a children’s’ room is also an option to explore. It looks like a console against a wall and once opened up provides a comfortable double bed. This bed once mounted up on the wall provides the child the open space in the bedroom for any activities” adds Hemil Parikh. Foldable bunk beds are a good option too when you have kids around.
Apart from sofa cum beds, wall beds, wall mounted tables as well as nested tables form for practical space saving ideas. “Pull down wall units are a must have for every small home. These multi-purpose units can be used as display shelves, ironing table, storage options and study tables” adds Saloni Khosla.
Space saving ideas
From compact seats to oversized ones, poufs are the perfect blend of aesthetics and functionality for small spaces. These curvaceous treasures can be used as coffee tables, comfortable seating and storage options, all at once.
A lift-up coffee table can also help transform your living room into a home office or dining room. The table comes with a storage option to keep the clutter at bay. Mounting a few book shelves near your windows, extending the curtain rod, setting bookshelves perpendicular to the wall are all great ways to divide multi-purpose rooms.
“There are several other creative ideas you can employ including a lounge chair that houses a library, a bed that makes room for a wine rack, a TV unit that duals up as a dinner table for two and a coffee table that doubles up as seating” says Minnie Bhatt of Minnie Bhatt Designs. Also remember to use the space behind the doors by installing over-the-door hooks and wall-mount organizers.
Some dos and don’ts
It is essential that multipurpose furniture is sturdy and durable. Avoid low-quality materials when buying these pieces. Proper arrangement of your small space needs correct planning before you select any design. The furniture pieces that you opt for should effectively serve the purpose as well as make your space look large.
Add some light and depth to the space while also keeping it clutter-free by bringing in floor lamps with display storage options. “Like any other furniture, multipurpose furniture must be handled with care. The sliders, knobs and levers should not be pulled or pushed very roughly, so always take some time to fold up and put away the panels of units when not in use” adds Dipti Das.
This article was originally published in Sakal Times.