Skip to main content

Why multi-functional furniture is the best living room purchase you’ll ever make

living room with modular sofa
Followtheflow/Shutterstock

Who doesn’t love furniture pieces that can do double duty? For small spaces, multifunctional furniture gives you options where you might have none. They are a great way to maximize space and offer innovative storage solutions. Not only will using one save you square footage, but its multifunctional uses also mean less expense down the line. With multifunctional furniture ideas, your space will be one that looks put together and functions efficiently.

What is multifunctional furniture?

Simply put, multifunctional furniture provides more than one function. They can be anything from a chair to a table. It gives you the advantage of having a piece that serves its primary use and another use. Since you only need to purchase one item, using them in a design can save you money. Often space savers, these pieces can be chock full of storage. They are also versatile enough to be used in multiple rooms throughout your home.

Modular sofa

These shapeshifters work well in any room because you can change them to fit the dimensions you have. They are ideal if you often like to change your layout as they give you options. Generally, they come with a chaise lounge which can be switched around or removed when needed and sometimes have hidden storage compartments. Often, you can convert them into a sleeping area, so they work well for overnight guests as well.

Pull-out sofa

Every living room should have seating. Why not have some that second as a sleeping space? Don’t have a guest room? No problem when your couch turns into one. Pull-out sofas have come a long way, and today there are many combinations and configurations to choose from. What if your space is too petite for a sofa? Some chairs transform into twin-size beds.

Futon or day bed

If you frequently have overnight guests or need an additional sleeping space, a day bed or futon can offer you seating space by day and easily be converted to a bed at night. Simply add accent pillows or a textured throw to style it as a couch. The slimmer profiles on both mean they work better in smaller spaces that can’t accommodate the bulk of a sofa bed.

Nesting tables

These handy tables offer a lot of versatility. Usually in a trio, when not needed, the two smaller tables tuck inside the largest one. Then on occasions when more surfaces are needed, they can be pulled apart to offer three tabletops. They can even be used as a desk for laptops and other items if needed.

Coffee table with storage

By the look of it, you would assume it was your standard coffee table but lift the tabletop, and a large storage compartment is revealed. Great for storing games, toys, and any odds and ends, these tables come in any design style.

living room with bookshelf
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Barely-there side table

When space is minimal, these sleek side tables slide into action. Often sleek and minimal in design, the base easily fits under your couch, so it doesn’t take up any valuable floor space. The top surface is ideal for keeping drinks and remote controls within reach.

Storage ottomans

Often used in place of a coffee table, these large, padded pieces work well with a tray on top. The inside offers large storage space for toys, books, and other items. Since they are cushioned, they make a comfortable footrest or additional spot to sit when needed.

Storage cube

This can be one of the most flexible pieces to add to your design. Use it as extra seating, an ottoman to prop your feet up on, or a side table when you need one. It can be housed in a side location in the room and pulled around the coffee table when company comes.

Bookshelf

Don’t underestimate how useful a bookcase can be in a living room. This simple piece of furniture can accommodate many items. The most obvious may be to house books, but they can also hold decorative accessories, family photos, and storage baskets. The top surface of a low bookcase works well to put your television on, and a taller one will take advantage of vertical space.

By bringing multifunctional pieces into your living room, you have furniture that offers flexibility and saves you money. Once you see how well they work in one space, you may just be tempted to add one to every room in your home.

Editors' Recommendations

Darcey Gohring
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Darcey Gohring is a freelance writer based just outside New York City. She served as the managing editor of New Jersey…
5 clever outdoor lighting ideas even if you don’t have a big backyard
These space-saving outdoor lighting ideas can be great additions to your patio or balcony
Small outdoor cozy patio with soft lighting

When you don’t have much space to work with, you have to look for clever outdoor lighting solutions that function appropriately and don’t ruin the look of your exterior design. For those of us with small outdoor spaces like a patio or balcony, unique lighting solutions that don’t require a ton of space are a must.

So today, we’ll share five unique outdoor lighting ideas ideal for small outdoor spaces that don't sacrifice your design, and we'll show you how best to style these lighting solutions, so you can create functional decor that fits your home. Whether you prefer string lights outdoors or something more unique, we have some solutions for you.
Firefly lights
If you’re looking for a cute space-saving lighting solution for your patio or balcony this summer, look no further than

Read more
Go from drab to fab with these laundry room decor ideas
Brighten up your laundry room with these awesome decorating tips
Laundry room decorated with plants and woven baskets

What’s your laundry room looking like right now? Chances are it could use some TLC. And by that, we mean some cute, fun decor to make doing laundry a bit less dreadful.

The laundry room is the one space in our home that many of us neglect to decorate, because it’s small, doesn’t get much foot traction, or we simply never thought of it. But if you think about it more, sprucing up your laundry room could make the task more enjoyable.

Read more
It’s official: Study says this is the most stressful IKEA furniture to assemble
Have you been stressed out by this Ikea furniture yet?
Ikea storefront sign

If you love everything there is to love about IKEA (the prices, the selection, the tasty meatballs) but wince when it comes to their RTA (ready-to-assemble), flatpack furniture pieces, and the often confusing, wordless instructions that come with them, know you're not alone. It can be overwhelming to say the least, especially if you don't consider yourself handy.

If you're looking to avoid that frustration, hotukdeals created the Flat-Pack Stress Index — basically, they got 100 participants to assemble flatpack furniture and tracked their heart rate and heart rate variance to see how much they stressed and exerted themselves putting together some of IKEA's most popular furniture items. Which IKEA furniture is the most stressful to put together? Here's what they found.

Read more