10 Multi-functional Furniture Ideas for a Compact Living Room
Make your living room furniture work harder by choosing pieces that can be used for more than one function
Just because your living room is small doesn’t mean you don’t have space for a dining table, work area or extra storage. By investing in some multi-functional furniture, you’ll soon have a living space with more practicality than meets the eye.
Double up a footstool
An ottoman is a really useful item to have in your living room, as it can be used as both storage and a footstool. If you’ve invested in a sofabed to accommodate overnight visitors, an ottoman would be the perfect place for keeping an extra set of fresh bed linen handy.
An ottoman is a really useful item to have in your living room, as it can be used as both storage and a footstool. If you’ve invested in a sofabed to accommodate overnight visitors, an ottoman would be the perfect place for keeping an extra set of fresh bed linen handy.
Keep it under your seat
A really efficient way to maximise space in a small living room is to have sofas custom-made with built-in storage. A simple design like this one uses every inch of space around the corners of the room, and the seats lift up to reveal a fantastic amount of storage underneath. It’s a neat idea that will keep your living room streamlined and uncluttered.
A really efficient way to maximise space in a small living room is to have sofas custom-made with built-in storage. A simple design like this one uses every inch of space around the corners of the room, and the seats lift up to reveal a fantastic amount of storage underneath. It’s a neat idea that will keep your living room streamlined and uncluttered.
Put the window to work
An alternative to a built-in sofa is a custom-made window seat. This works particularly well in a room with a bay, but the same effect can be achieved by locating two bookcases either side of a window to form a recess.
Make the most of the seating by designing storage below. This one has useful cavities beneath the seats for storing books.
Check out these ideas for designing the perfect window seat
An alternative to a built-in sofa is a custom-made window seat. This works particularly well in a room with a bay, but the same effect can be achieved by locating two bookcases either side of a window to form a recess.
Make the most of the seating by designing storage below. This one has useful cavities beneath the seats for storing books.
Check out these ideas for designing the perfect window seat
Stash your tables
Why have one side table when you can have three or four? A set of nested tables is a perfect way to store extra surfaces in a small space. The tables fit snugly together in one place and can be lifted out and used around the house whenever they’re needed.
These colourful ones are reminiscent of the iconic Bauhaus nesting tables and form a striking design feature in the room.
Why have one side table when you can have three or four? A set of nested tables is a perfect way to store extra surfaces in a small space. The tables fit snugly together in one place and can be lifted out and used around the house whenever they’re needed.
These colourful ones are reminiscent of the iconic Bauhaus nesting tables and form a striking design feature in the room.
Be creative with your coffee table
For extra storage, look out for coffee tables that give you more for your money. This one has a secret section that pops up to reveal ample storage space beneath. There are numerous other options available, including coffee tables with built-in drawers, or even ones with a simple shelf below.
For extra storage, look out for coffee tables that give you more for your money. This one has a secret section that pops up to reveal ample storage space beneath. There are numerous other options available, including coffee tables with built-in drawers, or even ones with a simple shelf below.
Create a storage feature
When designing any built-in furniture for your small space, think about how you can really maximise it. Here, a brick-built ledge is the perfect place to put the wood-burning stove.
To make the most of the construction, two recesses have been included for storing logs and kindling. Similarly, a ledge for a TV could include neat cubbyholes for other media devices and even a lift-up lid for extra storage.
When designing any built-in furniture for your small space, think about how you can really maximise it. Here, a brick-built ledge is the perfect place to put the wood-burning stove.
To make the most of the construction, two recesses have been included for storing logs and kindling. Similarly, a ledge for a TV could include neat cubbyholes for other media devices and even a lift-up lid for extra storage.
Pull up a pew
It’s useful to keep extra seating around your home for when you need it. If you don’t want to create a cumbersome stack of stools, double them up as tables instead. This gold option looks stunning as a coffee table next to the tan leather sofa, and can be used as a stool when extra seating is needed.
It’s useful to keep extra seating around your home for when you need it. If you don’t want to create a cumbersome stack of stools, double them up as tables instead. This gold option looks stunning as a coffee table next to the tan leather sofa, and can be used as a stool when extra seating is needed.
Take the lid off
A tray table is a brilliantly versatile option for those who don’t have room for a dining table. The top surface doubles up as a tray, which can be detached and taken into the kitchen. Bring it back loaded up with a plate of food and enjoy a civilised sofa meal.
Alternatively, use the tray for balancing your laptop on, or as a surface for kids to draw on.
A tray table is a brilliantly versatile option for those who don’t have room for a dining table. The top surface doubles up as a tray, which can be detached and taken into the kitchen. Bring it back loaded up with a plate of food and enjoy a civilised sofa meal.
Alternatively, use the tray for balancing your laptop on, or as a surface for kids to draw on.
Work in comfort
No room for a desk? A laptop table could be the answer. A versatile piece of furniture like this can tuck neatly underneath a sofa or armchair to form a handy desk surface. When it’s not being used for work, simply move it to the side, where it can assume its second job as a handy spot for drinks.
Do you have any multi-tasking tips for making the most of a small living room? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
No room for a desk? A laptop table could be the answer. A versatile piece of furniture like this can tuck neatly underneath a sofa or armchair to form a handy desk surface. When it’s not being used for work, simply move it to the side, where it can assume its second job as a handy spot for drinks.
Do you have any multi-tasking tips for making the most of a small living room? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
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Think you can’t fit in a dining table? Think again. It’s possible to buy a coffee table that can quickly be transformed into a dining table. This solid wood design can be height-adjusted and will extend to accommodate six people.
Have some spare chairs dotted around the house and you’ll be able to create an instant dining area for entertaining friends.
Discover more ways to sneak a dining table into your home