Smart Design for Dual-Purpose Rooms

Simple, modestly sized pieces leave more room for multiple zones than elaborate, oversized furnishings. So opt for a loveseat with clean, modern lines coupled with a pair of compact armchairs instead of a mammoth sectional or a set of sofas with space-hogging rolled arms. Go for tables, bookshelves and other furnishings with slim, compact footprints, too. Likewise, keep multipurpose rooms streamlined and clutter-free. "If you want to fit more than one activity into a space, pare down the number of things dedicated to each," says Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, who’s mastered the art of minimalism in the tiny but exquisitely efficient 265-square-foot apartment/workspace he shares with his wife and infant daughter.