Make your home work for you.
Have you ever dreamt of a having your own study at home or giving your kids a dedicated playroom?
In the perfect world we would all have unlimited budget to re-build our homes to suit our own needs. Unfortunately, that is not the case for most of us.
Don’t worry! There are ways to make the most of what you have and tweak your existing space to better suit your needs.
Seated storage
The most obvious way to maximise your space and use every possible spot for living, is to invest in clever storage solutions. There are so many beautiful, functional and affordable options available. From hollow ottomans that can double as toyboxes or linen storage, to chest type coffee tables with built in storage. (Ideal for boardgames, puzzles and gaming consoles) The options are many and the space saved is amazing!
We love the new styles of rugged (but pretty!), functional patio benches that double as storage for anything from braai tools to patio cushions and pool toys.
Is it a playroom? Is it a guestroom? No! Its both!
An obvious choice for a multifunctional space is to use one room for two very different purposes. Having a playroom where your kids can create chaos and play out their fantasies is a dream for many an overstimulated parent. But dedicating a whole room to the kiddos is a luxury most of us don’t have. We love the idea of using your existing guest room, sprucing it up with some clever furniture and creating a true multifunctional space.
A “murphy bed” is the answer. This is what those beds that swing up and stack against the wall are called. This kind of hidden bed comes in many styles, and you can even get them with a collapsible desk attached. This can make your play/guestroom a home office as well.
Tips to combine a play-room and guest-room
This will take some planning, but luckily we have local experts ready to help you.
Hidden Beds – SA offer a wide range of wall mounted, hidden beds to suit every single one of your multipurpose needs. From classic wall mounted beds to beds hidden in cabinets or bookshelves, and even beds that double as sofa’s or bookcases…the possibilities are endless.
Adjustable lighting
Another way to make your space multifunctional is to use adjustable lighting. We all know the dining room table is the centre of the home, not necessarily because we eat every single meal there (even though we know we should) but because it’s usually the easiest place to dump laptops, schoolbags, and other important stuff we need to deal with.
Instead of fighting this, embrace it. If it is where schoolbags get dumped, why not make it the homework station as well. You can easily switch the mood of the room between work and fine dining by switching out the lights.
A bright, cool, white shade of light is best for work and staying alert, while a warmer hue is comforting and creates a cosy dining space. There are so many lighting-hue options available in the form of smart LED bulbs, that this multifunctional dupe is a no-brainer.
For more tips and info about lighting solutions, read our deep dive on smart lighting
If you have a larger open plan home, you can also look into creating designated divided spaces. You can do this with dry-wall installations, but for an easier and quicker solutions you can make a space multifunctional simply by making clever use of furniture. The obvious choice if you don’t want to build something permanent is to go for a large bookshelf.
We love these rooms and multifunctional spaces for inspiration.
If you want to DIY your way into multifunctional space, this tutorial shows you exactly how to build a functional room divider.
Making the most of the space you do have is the easiest and most cost-effective way of improving your quality of life without breaking the bank.
Just think – if the toys are contained in the playroom you’ll never have to step on Lego again!
