6 Ways Homeowners Get Extra Use out of Areas at Home

Make the most of your home.

Traditionally, homes have always been set up with each room serving one purpose, such as a kitchen designated for cooking, a dining room for eating, a living room for leisure, and a bedroom for sleeping. Nowadays, as space becomes a more valuable commodity, especially in urban or densely populated areas, homeowners are adapting to their lifestyles by transforming individual spaces into multi-functional areas. It is one of the best solutions to make full use of space without the need for home expansion or extension.

To give you some ideas, check out these areas that serve more than one function, as they will inspire you to build a multifunctional space that you’ll love!

1. A guest bedroom that doubles as a study

For those living in homes where space is limited, carving out a dedicated guest room may seem like a luxury. To optimise the room's functionality when you’re not hosting guests, consider turning it into a study or home office.

Check out this guest room–office combination, designed to function as a study or home office by day and a comfortable sleeping space for guests by night. IQI Concept added some homey accents, such as cosy blankets, blinds, and warm LED lights in the book cabinets, transforming what could have been a purely utilitarian study space into a cosy retreat.

2. A kitchen island that doubles as a workspace

With so many people working from home these days, it seems like any space is fair game for a home office. On top of that, many people favour working in an open environment rather than being confined to a room. If you're inclined towards an open workspace, consider utilising your kitchen island into a versatile work-from-home area.

Draw inspiration from this home, where Klaasmen integrated an island into the dry kitchen, creating not only a casual dining area or food preparation area, but also a useful space for work. The best part is that the owners can easily get a cup of coffee or drink from the pantry when they need a quick break from work.

3. A foyer that doubles as a storage and homework area

Your foyer has a lot of potential to become a multifunctional space! Rather than solely serving as a spot for guests to remove or put on their shoes, you can explore the possibility of transforming it into a versatile storage area or even a designated homework space, as exemplified in this terrace.

The homeowner requested Nusa Indah Bina to install an arch-style cabinet in the front foyer, providing a designated space for the kids to store their belongings, including books, bags, and shoes, upon returning from school. This prevents clutter from spreading throughout the house. Additionally, the white round table serves as a homework area, promoting a tidy and organised home environment. Assigning each child their own shelf fosters a sense of responsibility, as they are accountable for keeping their space clean and orderly.

Read the full story here.

4. A 3-in-1 entertainment room

Who wouldn’t dream of enjoying the cinema experience from the comfort of home? Even better is the opportunity to watch your favourite movies in lounge seating, as showcased in this bungalow in Pahang.

The designer has converted an empty room into a multi-functional entertainment area with a home bar, a spacious lounging area, and a top-notch home theatre and karaoke setup. The space also features blackout curtains and elegant chandeliers, adding a cosy and refined atmosphere for entertaining guests.

5. An open-plan living room with a dining and reading area

The average household may find it challenging to allocate a separate room solely for reading, dining, or watching TV.

To this end, Pocket Square has ingeniously converted an open-plan living room into a multifunctional area suitable for reading, dining, and lounging, among other things. The TV feature wall acts as a home library, enabling family members to read and watch TV together, fostering social interaction and bonding. Adjacent to the living space, a dining area with built-in bench seating offers a cosy spot for dining or socialising, further enhancing the room's functionality and comfort.

6. A study and hobby room

If you love collecting figurines or the like, but lack space for a dedicated room solely for collectibles, consider showcasing your collection on a display shelf in your home office or study.

Look to this home office for design inspiration, where Aloft Space installed a built-in shelf unit with LED strip lights to illuminate the Lego display, allowing the homeowners to admire their collection whenever they need a break from work. Aside from that, this room is an ideal spot for assembling his or her Lego collection.

Looking to transform your home into a flexible and adaptable environment?

Our reputable interior designers can recommend space-saving features based on your home’s layout and square footage. Request free quotes here, and we will match you with five interior design firms for free!

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