8 Double-Duty Furniture Solutions for Your Small Space Dilemma
With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are getting ready to host family and friends. But if you're not lucky enough to have as many spare bedrooms as the Real Housewives, you might have to get creative in order to fit everyone comfortably in your space.
Enter, double duty furniture!
These days there are loads of choices for furniture pieces that do double duty: a chair and a bed? Check. Storage in a bench? Check. Here's a roundup of our favorite solutions for making your space work no matter how many people you have camped out in your living room over the holiday break.
Sleeper Sofa
Brian Patrick Flynn
This classic, double-duty piece works as the perfect solution for anyone who doesn't have a guest bedroom. And luckily these sleeper sofas have gone from "OMG, I have to sleep on this!?" to "this is better than a bed!" over the last few years. Somehow manufacturers are able to make these pull-out beds more and more comfortable which is good news for your guest's backs.
Our Product Pick: This one from West Elm has both comfort and style, and can be customized with a variety of fabric choices. Henry Deluxe Sleeper Sofa, West Elm, $2379+
Sleeper Chair
Tufted Sleeper Sofa in Home Office
To accommodate overnight guests, a stylish convertible sofa was added to this multipurpose home office. White walls and natural light keep the transitional space feeling airy and open.
Photo by: Abby Hetherington
Abby Hetherington
If you don't have enough room for a sleeper sofa or even if you need some additional sleeping options, you might want to consider a sleeper chair. Much like a sofa, your guests will have no idea that a comfy bed is hidden inside.
Some of these chairs don't have quite the same amount of support as a sofa once the bed is pulled out, so consider adding a mattress pad or a feather bed if you want to amp up the comfort level.
Our Product Pick: Pebble Gray Chair-and-a-Half Sleeper, World Market, $599.99
Murphy Bed
Chic Loft Bedroom With Murphy Bed
Black and white design accents and elements give this loft bedroom a sophisticated feel.
Photo by: Jessie Webster
Jessie Webster
Although they still always make me think of 70's sitcoms like Laverne & Shirley, Murphy beds have come quite a long way through the years. These beds, which fold out from a cabinet-like wall unit, are a great solution for functional small space living.
You can get one of these custom built to fit the exact specifications of your space, but you also have a lot of options for pre-built Murphy beds that can easily be installed if the dimensions work.
Our Product Pick: This is a really chic option from AllModern that comes in a variety of sizes and finishes. Full Murphy Bed, AllModern, $1299.95
Storage Bench
Hot Pink Storage Ottoman
When space is at a premium, storage ottomans are a must-have essential for family rooms. Created for use as occasional tables or extra seating, these comfy pieces allow parents to keep kid and pet toys tucked inside for easy access.
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
We often forget that we'll need extra bedding and pillows for our newly comfy houseguests who'll be enjoying our double-duty furniture. Even if you happen to have room in another linen closet, I found it's often most convenient to keep these linen and bedding items close by and easily accessible for your guests.
A storage bench is the perfect solution for this. It will give you a few more seats around the TV in the living room and also conveniently hide all the items needed when your guests make up their beds at night.
Our Product Pick: Threshold Storage Bench With Casters, Target, $149.99
Bookshelf as a Room Divider
If you have enough space to set aside a makeshift guest bedroom, you might want to consider a bookshelf room divider. The Ikea Expedit shelf has been a longtime favorite for just this sort of set-up though they replaced the Expedit with the Kallax recently. Lucky for us it looks the same and works just as well.
You can use one of these shelves to block off a bedroom and give your guests a bit more privacy. Fill the shelves with books or other decorative items so the divider is not see-through.
Our Product Pick: Kallax Shelving Unit, Ikea, $199
Extra Folding Chairs
Most of us have spent an uncomfortable afternoon at family gatherings on those plastic folding chairs that seem ready to snap in half at any moment. But there are some super chic options available now and trust us, you won't even realize these chairs are related to those plastic ones of the past.
This bamboo set comes in a fun color and is thicker, sturdier and offers more comfort and support.
Our Product Pick: Coastal-Chic Folding Dining Chairs, Wayfair, $169.95 (for two)
Dresser as a Nightstand
Sometimes double-duty furniture is more of a mindset: think about how you can use items that your houseguests might need in a way that works for your space.
If you have a guest bedroom but it's more on the petite size, you might not have room to fit all the furniture you'd. But you can get creative and do things like using a dresser as a bedside table. This allows your guests a spot to put their clothes without taking up any additional space.
Our Product Pick: Hayworth Mirrored Chest, Pier 1 Imports, $699
Giant Floor Pillows, Poufs and Ottomans
How to Host a Party in a Small Space
Don't shy away from inviting guests over just because you have a studio apartment, small back yard or dining room that isn't as large as you’d like. By following these simple steps, you can still pull together a perfect party where guests will embrace the charm of your cozy space.
Photo by: Cheyenne Mojica Photography
Cheyenne Mojica Photography
As an interior designer, I have to use the word "pouf" far more than I'm actually comfortable with. However, the truth is that floor pillows, poufs and ottomans are an amazing solution for extra seating in a space where there just isn't room for additional furniture.
The great thing about them is that they can be stacked (pillows) or grouped together (poufs). Try lining a few poufs up under a console or stacking a bunch of boho floor pillows in the corner of your room. If you have enough space for an ottoman, consider tracking down one that has storage inside.
Our Product Pick: Oversized Floor Pillow, PB Teen, $199.99
More Items to Consider
Here are a few more items you might want to think about for your out-of-town guests this holiday season:
Inflatable air mattress. Yep, these are often just as comfortable as an actual bed!
Fun sleeping bags. If you have a bunch of kids staying over, consider getting some colorful and cozy sleeping bags for them to use.
Make the Most of Your Square Footage
See All Photos
Next Up
5 Stylish Apartment-Sized Sofas for the New Renter
9 Things You Never Thought You'd See in a Tiny House
Fixer Upper Goes Tiny: Joanna's Tips for Living Small, Stylishly
9 Times 'Tiny House Hunters' Buyers Forgot They Wanted to Downsize
10 Ways to Make the Most of Your Tiny Outdoor Space
First Apartment? Read This Before You Buy Another Piece of Furniture
How I Fit a Baby Into My Tiny NYC Apartment
Living in a Tiny Studio? Here Are 12 Ways to Make It Work
10 Window Seats + Cozy Nooks to Get You Through the Winter
