Although many of us have begun to work from the office a few days throughout the week, working from home is still very much a part of our work life and is here to stay for the foreseeable future. The pandemic has completely changed the way we live and work in our apartments, and interior designers will continue to integrate versatility into their design choices throughout 2022 and beyond. Creating multifunctional spaces within our homes has become an essential aspect of our day-to-day.
But creating a multifunctional space can be so much more than simply placing a desk in the living room. It is about giving each area its own sense of purpose while creating an elegant flow from room to room. Convertible furniture and integrated technology will become increasingly common, and spaces will continue to keep functionality top of mind.
With that, let’s dive into some of our top recommendations for creating a multifunctional space in your apartment:
1. Separate Space Using a Clothing Rack
A clothing rack can be used for so much more than simply hanging clothes — it can also be a great way to delineate space. Use a clothing rack to hang plant baskets and provide separation between multifunctional spaces. Clothing racks can also be used to hang blankets that blend with your decor which can bring some added color to the space as well.
2. Convert Extra Closets into an Office Area
If you are among the lucky few to have extra closet space that you don’t use, consider converting it into a mini-office area. Not only will having a small desk serve as a distraction-free area, but it will also free up space in your living area or bedroom.
3. Invest in a Coffee Table that Converts to a Desk or Dining Table
Multifunctional furniture is an essential element to creating a space that can be used for a variety of purposes. If you enjoy hosting friends and family but don’t have space for a dining table, consider investing in a coffee table that converts into a dining table.
If you work from home and enjoy working from your living room, consider investing in a coffee table that converts into a desk.
4. Hang Curtains to Create Separation Between Areas
There is nothing better than closing an office door at the end of a workday and mentally moving into another room to have some separation between work and life. However, having a separate dedicated office is a rare luxury in most apartments, especially if you live in a major city. To help create that sense of separation, consider hanging light or sheer curtains on a curtain rod between your living room and the office area, or between your bed and living room if you live in a studio. Again, this will most likely need to be approved by your building owner or property manager.
5. Use Bookshelves
Bookshelves not only help separate a multifunctional space — they also offer additional storage and can serve as a standing desk for a laptop. When using bookshelves to separate a space, less is more. Try to decorate them with smaller items so that light flows easily through the space and doesn’t make the shelves feel cluttered.
6. Use Distinct Colors to Distinguish Areas
When creating a multifunctional space, it can be easy for areas to blend together a bit too much. To help create some separation, consider giving each area its own color theme. For example, if you live in a studio, give your bed a clear color theme with your pillow and bedspread, and go with an entirely different color scheme for your living room, kitchen, and office area. While the colors don’t need to match perfectly, try not to go with colors that will clash too much.
7. Install a Projector Screen
Love watching movies but don’t have space for a large television? Consider installing a projector screen. These projector screens roll up, providing extra space when they’re not in use. This is ideal for those who enjoy hosting movie nights but have a smaller television that may make it challenging for everyone to see the screen.
8. Consider a Horizontal Murphy Bed
Murphy beds are fantastic space savers for a smaller apartment and offer much-needed space when not in use. However, not all standard murphy beds will work in every apartment, so it may be worth considering investing in a horizontal murphy bed vs. the traditional vertical murphy bed, such as the layout this studio dweller implemented. A horizontal murphy bed also saves space when it is in use as it doesn’t take up as much space in the apartment.
9. Change Your Home’s Layout Throughout the Day
While it may not always be ideal, multifunctional spaces work best when you’re willing to shift items in the space throughout the day. For example, if you do choose to use a murphy bed, it may involve folding it up against the wall every morning to make space for a desk and add extra room in the living area. Footstools may double as a makeshift coffee table or end table depending on what is needed, and a computer stand can help convert a kitchen table into an office area during the day and back to a kitchen space in the evening.
10. Hide Storage in Benches and Ottomans
The key to creating an effective multifunctional space is eliminating as much clutter as possible. To do this, consider placing storage in pieces of furniture such as ottomans, hidden storage benches, under the sofa, or in decorative baskets.
Final Thoughts
If you are in the market for a new apartment, Draper and Kramer offers spacious luxury apartments that are ideal for creating a multifunctional space. Additionally, our properties offer shared workspaces, outdoor areas, and other spaces for you to work or host guests.
Creating a multifunctional space can be so much more than simply placing a desk in the living room. It is about giving each area its own sense of purpose while creating an elegant flow from room to room. Convertible furniture and integrated technology will become increasingly common, and spaces will continue to keep functionality top of mind.
