Multi-Functioning Spaces
Did you ever create a “dream home” as a kid? I remember designing one of my own in elementary school–filled with many bedrooms, a ballroom and a room made specifically for storing cheese (I still dream of this). While I may never have a need for a ballroom, the rooms in my home do each need to serve a purpose.
There are four primary functions that I believe all homes need to serve. They are work, play/leisure, hospitality, and rest. We measure most of our spaces by how well they meet these four criteria. However, the reality is that we can’t all have rooms specifically designated to each category (cheese, for example…but one can dream). You may be working with a small footprint or feel like there are simply too many roles your home needs to fill. I’m here to tell you, “there is hope!”
Rather than see each room as serving one purpose, we can stretch our imaginations and begin to see each room as a multi-functioning space. This is where creativity and good design come in. For example, in our 1930s home, the formal dining room acts as more of a craft space than it does an eating area. When family visits and when we have larger gatherings, we use it as it was originally intended. But for our day-to-day, it is a desk space reserved for coloring, Play Doh, and building with Legos.
In order to design a multi-functioning space, we need the guidance of the following 4 principles:
Mindset Reframe - It is time to step outside the box and rethink how YOUR family needs the room to be used. Forgo conventionality and tailor the space to serve you rather than the other way around. Could your guest bedroom also be used as a yoga studio? Do you prefer working from the sofa more often than a desk? Do you prefer reading in your kitchen? Set up a cozy spot and integrate that in!
PURPOSEFUL & PRETTY Furniture - When selecting furniture, intentionality is key. We want to be intentional about quality, aesthetics and functionality. If the piece does not meet these criteria, it may not work well within your space. I’m a firm believer that you do not have to sacrifice any one of these characteristics to find a piece that you love. You also do not have to break your budget. Because we have young children and our dining room is more of a pseudo-craft area, all of the furniture in our dining room has been thrifted. I love the stories and natural patina these pieces provide, but I’m also not paranoid about crayon marks or drink spills.
Multifaceted Storage - When you have a room that is serving multiple roles, your storage needs to be ready to accommodate it. The credenza in our dining room is ready to serve drinks or lay placemats for those large gatherings, but also contains our crayons, paper, glue, etc. Make your storage solutions easy and accessible! This goes back to our mindset reframe in principle #1. Be willing to think creatively and reimagine how a piece of furniture could be used or where your items could be placed. It takes time to develop a system that works, but once you do, the easier it will be to maintain tidiness and transition your space to fill a new role.
Let Your Home Grow with You - As you and your family grow, let your home transition with you. The needs I have for my home while my kids are young will be different once they are teenagers. Your home should be a reflection of you and the phase of life that you are in. With each new phase, allow yourself to repurpose, rearrange and reimagine your space. And if you need help along the way, you know where to find me. ;)