15 Rooms That Excel at Double Duty
And even triple duty. Use their ideas to rethink any small space and create a harder-working but harmonious home
The era of giant houses is over. We seem to have learned that the key to the good life is not more, but better. Better design, better technology, better efficiency and better use of space.
One of the secrets to making a small space work is to combine functions in interesting ways and rethink layout. Rooms that do double duty enable you to get more use out of your square footage, and they also allow you to stretch your design chops. In my book, clever beats big every time. Check out these 15 rooms in six categories to see if any of the ideas could work in your own home.
One of the secrets to making a small space work is to combine functions in interesting ways and rethink layout. Rooms that do double duty enable you to get more use out of your square footage, and they also allow you to stretch your design chops. In my book, clever beats big every time. Check out these 15 rooms in six categories to see if any of the ideas could work in your own home.
Bookshelves in the dining room don't have to be built in, but it helps if they span the entire length of at least one wall. This looks intentional rather than like you ran out of shelving.
The Multitasking Laundry Room
A laundry room in and of itself seems like luxury. Combining it with a home office or a workshop is brilliant. I mean, why not pay the bills, write a novel or check your email while the clothes are agitating?
A laundry room in and of itself seems like luxury. Combining it with a home office or a workshop is brilliant. I mean, why not pay the bills, write a novel or check your email while the clothes are agitating?
It's a laundry room/office/workshop/wrapping room/craft area. A big, wide-open table is always a useful thing.
The Hidden Home Office
This home office is tucked away so neatly into the small living room, you hardly know it's there. A slim parson's desk, some double-duty seating and a wall-mounted TV make this a seamless combo.
This home office is tucked away so neatly into the small living room, you hardly know it's there. A slim parson's desk, some double-duty seating and a wall-mounted TV make this a seamless combo.
This office, tucked into a closet, even has room for a guest. In my version there is storage in that bench and folding shutter doors to close off the space.
Here is an office off the entryway in a "room" created by shelving. Keep the space facing the door for the pretty stuff and hide the papers and clutter down near the bottom of the shelf against the wall.
Behind curtain number one: a workspace for two! When the drapes are closed, the entire thing disappears, leaving the living room for living.
The Disappearing Guest Room
There is a happy medium between a guest cottage at the ready and a blow-up mattress in the living room. Murphy beds take advantage of vertical space; when guests leave, they can be flipped back up, and your life can get back to normal.
There is a happy medium between a guest cottage at the ready and a blow-up mattress in the living room. Murphy beds take advantage of vertical space; when guests leave, they can be flipped back up, and your life can get back to normal.
A flexible sofa or daybed in the office can be the place where all your best ideas strike and the place where guests lay their heads at night.
This guest room–office combination is permanent but still separate. You don't have to look at a workspace while you are resting, and you don't have to be tempted by a nap space while you're working.
The Working Kitchen
In eat-in kitchens, long, narrow tables can double as workspace.
In eat-in kitchens, long, narrow tables can double as workspace.
The Functional Family Room
Families don't want to be doing the same thing at the same time. Creating separate areas for separate interests is the key to togetherness. With this home playground, the kids won't even notice that you're watching Breaking Bad right next to them.
Families don't want to be doing the same thing at the same time. Creating separate areas for separate interests is the key to togetherness. With this home playground, the kids won't even notice that you're watching Breaking Bad right next to them.
This playroom outside a home gym is like a built-in daycare.
This family room doubles as a guest bunk and provides a place where you can cozy up with a book when the movie gets boring.
Having a separate library is so Downton Abbey. Behold the library and dining room combo. Walls lined with books make a room feel cozy and intimate. Plus, your dinner guests will know how well read you are.