Decorating small spaces and making them look great, but not cramped is a challenge. Don’t worry though, even if you are moving to a new apartment that’s tiny, you can enjoy beauty and functionality without having to give up too much space. There are some excellent double duty pieces you can add to a furniture shopping list that will help you out.
Before you dive into shopping, it’s a good idea to size up your apartment to determine what might and might not work. Look at the overall square footage and start brainstorming for ways to make space planning pay off. If you really need to save on space, but don’t want to give up on functionality, these double duty pieces can help:
1. Bookshelf + Room Divider
If you want to break up a room to make it serve two purposes, bookshelves can serve as incredible room dividers. When the right shelves are selected, they will break up the square footage effectively without forcing you to “lose” the space since you’ll be able to store items within the shelves.Even better, some allow light to filter through and aren’t obtrusive.
2. Ottoman + Coffee table
Add this to your furniture shopping list and you’ll be able to have your cake and eat it too, even in a very small living room. These double duty pieces are functional and fit well into all decorating styles because they come in everything from leather to microfiber. Some even do triple duty as extra seating for guests, storage, and a coffee table to place a drink or prop your feet up while watching TV.
3. Sofa + Daybed
Whether you buy one of these to serve as your own bed or just for company, this purchase helps make the most of a small space. The wide selection of daybeds will enable you to make a purchase that fits any decorating scheme and the beds themselves have come a long way in the comfort department.
4. TV armoire + Storage cabinet
A decorative armoire for television and storage is a great way to make a small space go far. Plus, if the right armoire is selected, the look can prove simply spectacular. Linens and pillows can go in the bottom drawers of the armoire. Or if you need more space for DVDs and CDs, they can be stored in that space. Check out 5 more ways to use your armoire:
- Place bathroom linens and toiletries in your armoire.
- If you need extra closet space use an armoire as a wardrobe.
- Hide your TV and other electronic equipment in an armoire in the living room.
- Use it in the kitchen for displaying dishes, storing cookbooks, housing your microwave or toaster.
- Use it as a home office and keep your laptop, printer, paper, file folders and supplies tucked away behind the doors.
5. Dining table + Computer Desk
If there’s no room to enjoy a computer desk in your living space, make that one piece do double duty. Use your dining table as your desk when it’s not being used during mealtimes. If you have a dining console or storage furniture piece, you can keep a laptop and office supplies hidden in that. When it’s time to do some work, pull out your laptop and get to it. This is an excellent way to keep your computer and work separate from the rest of your apartment home while making your dining space go farther.
6. China cabinet + Pantry
If your kitchen and dining room are both cramped, you can make one piece of furniture do double duty to your benefit in both rooms. Try adding a china cabinet with lots of enclosed bottom storage to your furniture shopping list. You can use the top to show off your decorative pieces and store pots, pans and other kitchen items in the bottom. If drawers are in place, they can even serve to hold spices, freeing up more room in the kitchen.
Decorating small spaces is a challenge, but with the right double duty items, an apartment can look great. Get creative with furniture shopping and you’ll find even a tiny amount of square footage can go a long way.
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