When you live in a small house or apartment, finding ways to maximize your space is a must. One of the best ways to do this is with multitasking furniture pieces. Not only can these pieces be stylish, but they help serve two or more purposes so that you don’t have to overwhelm your space. While there are hundreds of options when it comes to multifunctional furniture pieces, we chose 12 of our favorites that every homeowner should consider.
1.Kitchen Island/Console Table
Many smaller homes have small kitchens that are short on counter space. If you don’t cook much, that’s fine, but most people need more room to prepare their meals or even serve food when they entertain. Unfortunately, a permanent island can take up too much space in a small kitchen, but a console table that doubles as an island is the perfect substitute. It’s narrower than your typical island, so you can get around it easily, but it provides you with a large flat surface for food prep and serving. The drawers, cabinets, and shelves on the lower levels are perfect for storing those extra utensils or small appliances. You can leave it in your kitchen if you have the space, or you can push it against a wall or behind your sofa to use as a traditional console table when it’s not in use.
2. Bench/Storage
Benches – like the Mandela – are a great way to add a little extra seating to a small room. They typically don’t take up much room and may even be easy to move from one space to another as needed, such as when you need a few extra seats at your dining table. Instead of buying a bench with an open bottom, look for one that provides you with storage space under the seat. You can keep everything from toys and kids’ clothing to bedroom linens and holiday decor inside, and no one will ever know.
3. Sofa/Bed
Without a doubt, when most people think of furniture that multitasks, the sofa bed is the first thing that comes to mind. We think every home should have one. First, every living room needs a sofa. Second, every house needs an extra bed in case you have guests or someone gets sick and can’t sleep in their own bed. If you don’t have a spare bedroom, your sofa bed becomes that within a few seconds.
4. Recliner
If a sofa bed isn’t for you or you don’t have space for one, opt to add a recliner to your living room instead. It adds seating and provides you with a nice place to relax after a long day. You can even use it as a place to convalesce if you’re recovering from an illness or injury and can’t lie flat in your bed or get upstairs to your bedroom. Of course, it also provides a place for a single person to sleep if you have an overnight guest but don’t have a spare room.
5. Bookshelf/Room Divider
If you live in a studio apartment or a small home with an open concept floor plan, you may wish for some sort of separation between rooms. Some barriers take up too much space or overwhelm the room, but a bookshelf makes for a great room divider. If you want to keep things light and airy, look for a shelf that is open on both sides. If you prefer more privacy, choose one with a solid back. Either way, it provides a barrier and some extra storage space at the same time.
6. Stool/Side Table
Anyone who loves to entertain knows that you can never have enough seating, but if you live in a small home or apartment, storing those extra chairs can be impossible. Instead, look for stools that have a flat hard surface on top. They double as side tables when no one is visiting, or you can arrange them for seating when you have visitors.
7. Coffee Table/Desk
If you’re working from home now but don’t have a designated office or workspace, there’s a cool product on the market that is part coffee table, part desk. It looks like your typical coffee table, but when you’re ready to work, a tray-like surface lifts up from the table to desk-light height, and you can use it to write or place a laptop — and save your posture. When you’re finished working, you can use it to enjoy a meal while you kick back and watch TV.
8. Fold-Out Desk/Dining Room Table
Many smaller homes and apartments don’t have dining rooms, and their kitchens may not have space for a large table. That’s why many people with smaller rooms are turning to fold-out surfaces that double as a dining table or even a work desk. They work like a Murphy bed in that they fold into the wall when they’re not in use. But when you’re ready to have dinner or work on those sales reports, you can pull it out and seat three to five people.
9. Storage Ottoman With Tray
The ottoman is another piece of furniture that has become synonymous with being multifunctional. Many open up to reveal some storage space inside, and as anyone with a small space knows, you can never have enough storage. Some even have tops that flip over and double as a small tray or table where you can eat a meal or enjoy drinks with friends.
10. Coffee Table With Nesting Stools
Multifunctional coffee tables are also becoming more and more popular with people who like to maximize space. If you don’t have a kitchen or dining table, or you just like to have friends over for a game night, look for one that comes with nesting stools. They fit seamlessly beneath the table’s surface, and you can pull them out to have two, three, or four extra seats when you need them. They’re generally flush with your coffee table’s top surface, so they’re not uncomfortable for eating and drinking. In some cases, the coffee table surface may even rise up a little higher to serve as a cocktail table.
11. Platform Storage Bed
If you look under your bed and only find dust bunnies, you’re wasting perfectly good space. Consider ditching your traditional frame and buying a platform bed instead. They typically have storage drawers beneath them where you can store clothing and other items that don’t have a home. It’s the perfect piece of furniture for bedrooms that don’t have closets or where you don’t have enough room for a larger dresser.
12. Mirror/Compact Cabinet
Every home should have a full-length mirror so that you can make sure you look great from head to toe. Because they’re mostly flat, they don’t take up much space, they can easily become part of your decor and in smaller spaces, mirrors placed across from a window can make a room look and feel much bigger. When you shop for your mirror, look for one that opens up to reveal a little storage space inside. They’re typically only a few inches wider than a traditional mirror. You can use them to keep items like toiletries, jewelry, lingerie, makeup, medication, and anything else you don’t have a place for in your bedroom or bathroom.
Whether you’re looking for pieces that multitask or any type of furniture for a small space, CORT Furniture Rental can help. We offer high-quality pieces that you can choose from our online selection, and we’ll bring them right to your home when you want them. Whether you rent out furniture for a month or a year or more, we’ll come back and get it when you’re finished so you don’t have to lift a finger.
