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Small Space Solutions: Double-Duty Furniture
Short on square footage? Make the most of it with store-bought and customised furniture that have double the function
Verlaine Marquez
19 August 2019
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five years, and now a full-time freelance writer for various online and print publications for the past decade and counting. Part-time crafter, wannabe gardener, and breast cancer thriver.
Houzz Singapore Contributor. Former editor for a home and design magazine for five... More
Even as floor area gets smaller, the solutions to maximise it increase – designers are getting really creative! Here’s a mix of bespoke and bought furniture that look good in real spaces and, more importantly, function cleverly.
Extendable dining table
These tables make room for dinner guests – just pull the extra surface out. Push it back in when you don’t need the extra space, and you can reclaim the circulation area.
These tables make room for dinner guests – just pull the extra surface out. Push it back in when you don’t need the extra space, and you can reclaim the circulation area.
Coffee table with fold-in work surface
Lift the work surface of this coffee table to a comfortable height when you’re seated on the sofa; push it down flush to the surface of the table when you’re done!
See more coffee tables
Lift the work surface of this coffee table to a comfortable height when you’re seated on the sofa; push it down flush to the surface of the table when you’re done!
See more coffee tables
Stash-and-carry multi-purpose side table
Its simple one-leg design allows you to slide this little table over the sofa seat when you’re finished with it, freeing up more floor space. Use it as a small coffee table, a TV-dinner-table, or a laptop table.
Its simple one-leg design allows you to slide this little table over the sofa seat when you’re finished with it, freeing up more floor space. Use it as a small coffee table, a TV-dinner-table, or a laptop table.
… another version of the stash-and-carry side table, the one here even has a handle running through its centre for convenient mobility.
Tuck-away side table that easily sits on a sofa arm
This nifty innovation provides a stable surface for a cuppa (or bowl of popcorn) while you’re sitting on the sofa. It’s roomy enough for a laptop as well. When you need the extra floor space, you can slide it off the sofa arm and stash it in a cabinet.
This nifty innovation provides a stable surface for a cuppa (or bowl of popcorn) while you’re sitting on the sofa. It’s roomy enough for a laptop as well. When you need the extra floor space, you can slide it off the sofa arm and stash it in a cabinet.
Chair and bedside table
Only have a sliver of space next to your bed? The chair-cum-bedside table here fits right in. Use the backrest to hang a little bag or a cardigan, the top surface as a bedside table or seat for when you’re getting dressed, and the lower shelf to stash your bedtime reading.
See more bedside tables
Only have a sliver of space next to your bed? The chair-cum-bedside table here fits right in. Use the backrest to hang a little bag or a cardigan, the top surface as a bedside table or seat for when you’re getting dressed, and the lower shelf to stash your bedtime reading.
See more bedside tables
3-in-1 headboard room divider and vanity table
This bespoke design requires commitment (it’s not for people who like to switch their bedroom furniture around), as the 3-in-1 piece is fixed. It’s good for bedrooms that don’t have a walk-in wardrobe as the divider creates that walk-in feel, especially if there’s a wardrobe facing it.
This bespoke design requires commitment (it’s not for people who like to switch their bedroom furniture around), as the 3-in-1 piece is fixed. It’s good for bedrooms that don’t have a walk-in wardrobe as the divider creates that walk-in feel, especially if there’s a wardrobe facing it.
2-in-1 study desk and bookshelf
Ideal for small rooms where you wouldn’t want a full-length or tall bookcase to crowd the space and make it feel claustrophobic, this desk allows you to store – and showcase – your books and knickknacks on the shelf side.
Ideal for small rooms where you wouldn’t want a full-length or tall bookcase to crowd the space and make it feel claustrophobic, this desk allows you to store – and showcase – your books and knickknacks on the shelf side.
Wall bed
Also known as the Murphy Bed, heavy-duty hinges allow the bed to fold up into the wall, leaving floor space for, in this room, another study chair.
The concept of a wall bed works better when it’s customised as the interior designer can integrate it seamlessly with the scheme for the space. For instance, here, it will look like it’s part of the display/bookcase when it’s folded up.
Also known as the Murphy Bed, heavy-duty hinges allow the bed to fold up into the wall, leaving floor space for, in this room, another study chair.
The concept of a wall bed works better when it’s customised as the interior designer can integrate it seamlessly with the scheme for the space. For instance, here, it will look like it’s part of the display/bookcase when it’s folded up.
Storage ottoman
A small, square ottoman with storage is a powerful pouffe: it’s a foot rest, an extra seat, a coffee table when it’s paired with a tray, and of course, a storage bin.
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Which small space furniture would you get for your home? Share in the Comments section.
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A small, square ottoman with storage is a powerful pouffe: it’s a foot rest, an extra seat, a coffee table when it’s paired with a tray, and of course, a storage bin.
TELL US
Which small space furniture would you get for your home? Share in the Comments section.
MORE
See small space ideas and stories
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