Multi-tasking: It is our go-to in this busy world of too many tasks in too little time. We catch up with friends while we go for a walk to get our steps in. We fold laundry while we list to the latest organization podcast. But if we are always supposed to be multi-tasking, why isn’t our furniture? It should be, too!
Dual use furniture
If you are trying to make your space look cleaner, the first step is always to have less stuff in it. So you will probably see this in almost every blog I write, but before anything else you need to declutter. But what about the big things? Furniture can become clutter, too. We all need places to store all the things we use every day, but too many storage solutions can also just turn into visual clutter. Even people who like seeing their things need to find a balance between visibility and visual overload. And if you want to see everything, having furniture that serves more than one purpose can be even more important to keep your living spaces livable and not cramped.
Living room solutions
The sleeper sofa is the epitome of dual use. Seating by day, guest accommodations by night. But the sleeper sofa has come a long way. Murphy beds are a great option for dual use, especially in small spaces. These beds traditionally just fold up vertically into the wall to create more floor space during the day. However, modern options not only fold up, but also reveal hidden desk space and cabinetry or shelving for a ready-made office space when they are stowed.
If you aren’t ready to make your living room your guest room, but just need a place for all those extra blankets and throw pillows, ottomans with storage are a great solution.
Dual use coffee tables are also your friend. Often there are little things that you use regularly in your living spaces that can quickly become clutter if they don’t have a home. In my house they are things like chapstick, reading glasses, our daily devotional, or remotes. Keeping these things in a pretty basket on top of the table is one way to reduce visual clutter, but an even better way is to get a table with storage. If you like your things hidden away, opt for a solid table with drawers or cabinets. If you like to still be able to see your things, pick a table with an open shelf underneath.
Bedroom solutions
A fairly traditional set-up for bedrooms is a bed with nightstands and one or two dressers, or chests of drawers. However, in some spaces, this can be cramped and flat surfaces like the tops of dressers tend to be clutter magnets. Dual use furniture provides a great option. Choose taller, skinnier nightstands for next to the bed. This creates less surface space to collect random objects, less footprint in the room, and just as much storage inside. Consider a bed with built-in storage underneath instead of dressers. This could come in the form of a liftable mattress with storage underneath. There are also many bed frames available with built-in drawers. And if you have an existing traditional bedframe with space underneath, buy your own inexpensive plastic totes on wheels or slides to make use of that unclaimed storage bonanza.
Toy rooms
Dual use furniture functions really well in kids’ spaces as well. Benches with storage inside tend to be chaotic catch-alls for miscellaneous toys that are hard to organize and hard to access. However, a cozy spot to curl up with a blanket provides down time in a child’s day. Accomplish this by putting a comfy cushion and throw pillows on a low cube shelf and get dual use functionality.
Play tables where children can build or do puzzles or set up train layouts provide another opportunity for dual use furniture. Choose a sturdy, child-height table with storage underneath to keep those craft supplies, train tracks, or building blocks close at hand and organized without adding square footage to your storage footprint.
Reflect your personality
These are just some of the ways you can make dual use furniture optimize your home, but everyone is unique and your furniture can be, too. Dual use furniture tends to be hidden storage that tucks your things out of sight. However, if that doesn’t work for you, train your space to do what you want and not the other way around. Be creative. Think outside the box. Repurpose furniture created for other uses to make over your problem spots. If you are handy or love DIY, create your own dual use furniture that perfectly meets your needs. Dual use furniture should be your new best friend for making the best use of your space. But make that space work for you!
