Nine commandments for functional and stylish multipurpose rooms

From “cloffices” to “lounge-beds,” the rise of small space living means if you’re not making at least one room in your home work double duty then you aren’t getting the most out of your home. Whether you want a spare bedroom to also act as home office, or if you’re after a space that combines multiple functions—think home to off-season clothes, a space for craft, an ironing room or to store odds and ends— multipurpose spaces are great when you're short on space.

The secret to multipurpose room that are both functional and stylish comes down to an efficient use of furniture, room layout and making the most of the height of a room. This however, is often harder to pull off in real life. Linda Holmes, Interiors Director from LuxDeco.com, shares her top tips for creating winning combination rooms.

1. Make the most of what you've got

“Where possible, double up in functional spaces such as vestibules, hallways and kitchens, which will allow bedrooms and lounges to remain suitably serene and uncluttered. Vestibules (particularly near a back door) are a great place for storage-turned-utility-rooms and open-plan kitchens are a natural fit for an informal dining area.”

2. Go for multi-layed lighting 

“Think even more carefully about lighting in a multipurpose room than you would in a single function room. This is important because specific lighting is needed for different tasks. For example, the soft lighting usually desired in a living room isn’t suitable for desk work. Plan for this by creating a multi-layered lighting scheme, which incorporates general, ambient and task lighting, which all operate independently of each other.”

3. Create zones

“Create zones in a room to divide it into its various functions. This can be achieved through purposeful pieces like room dividers (which are a multi-functional room’s best friend) or arranging a seating area so that the back of the sofa faces the middle of the room. Adding a long console table or sideboard indicates the beginning of a new zone.” Try: Coco Republic Serena Screen

4. Choose storage carefully

“Avoid glass-fronted or open units. Solid cupboards and covered storage is key in multi-functional rooms because the room’s double personality can go undetected.” Try: Criteria Collection Trunk cabinet  

5. Add a desk

Guest rooms are great to have but they’re also unused the majority of the time. Invest in a beautiful desk or a chaise lounge to give a guest room a second function – whether that’s a beautiful office space or another spot to relax in with a book. It’s a brilliant way to maximise a room’s potential more than it otherwise would be.” Try: Kmart Scandi tiered desk

6. Modular furniture is your friend 

“Using modular furniture, which can be moved around and re-configured, is helpful for creating space when needed. Sections can be taken out to or moved to make room for other pieces when needed.” Try: Freedom Benson modular 

7. Be practical with flooring

“Keep flooring practical. Although a dining area might call for a plush carpet, if it shares a space with the kitchen it might be best to use wood flooring and accessorise with a rug.”

8. Buy combination furnishings 

“Using a large upholstered stool as a coffee table comes in handy when a living area needs to seat more guests.” Try: Luxe Deco Easy ottoman

9. Stick to neutrals

“Sticking to neutral paint palettes that lend well to all uses is the safest way to future-proof a space, making it much more multi-functional friendly.”