Small spaces often inspire the greatest feats of creativity. Interior designers know this best, as they’re regularly tasked with configuring layouts that feel both functional and beautiful.
Using double-duty furniture – pieces that serve more than one function – is a well-worn trick that the pros employ when trying to resolve the trickiest of small spaces.
'I am a huge advocate for double-duty furniture,' says interior designer Kristen Cuthbert. 'In small spaces, you can really pack a functional punch by opting for pieces that offer multiple uses. Additionally, furnishings that offer hidden storage can work extra hard to hide your things at arm's length while providing a desirable aesthetic.'
Read on for 7 of the best examples of double-duty design.
1. A smart window seat
A window seat addresses two common problems at once – what to do with the dead space beneath a window, and how to solve our eternal shortage of storage.
When built-in with a hinged lid, its hidden storage space can be surprisingly generous and accessible at a moment's notice. In a kitchen, it's deep enough for bulky appliances, extra pots and pans, or it could function as a mini pantry for stashing away dried goods.
With the added comfort of seat pads and cushions, it tends to become one of the most-used spots in a room.
2. A multifunctional kitchen island
The smartest kitchen islands combine multiple functions – aptly demonstrated above in the home of interior designer Justine Barker.
During her kitchen reno, Justine had both the hob and oven integrated into her island to combine cooking and prep space, adding closed storage on one side and open shelving on the other – the latter displaying ceramics, glassware and cookbooks. Vintage stools give it an additional function as a breakfast bar.
3. An ottoman coffee table
An upholstered ottoman in place of a coffee table immediately changes the feel of a living room – its softer, contains handy extra storage and is far more useful when you need extra seating. The one non-negotiable is a tray to contain everything – the squishiest of ottomans (the best kind), have a softly rounded or buttoned surface unsuitable for holding glasses of wine.
Another smart swap comes in the form of Habitat's Harriet coffee table with clever tucked-away pouffes that pull out in a pinch for extra guests. Described as a ‘masterclass in smart, space-savvy living’, it might be the best £200 you’ll ever spend.
Habitat Harriet Coffee Table and Pouffes Natural
4. A bedroom bench
'A bench with storage at the end of a bed offers a place for extra linens or bulky sweaters while also providing a place to sit,' says Kristin. 'It can also help the bed to feel more finished, especially if it lacks a footboard.'
Choose a soft or tufted bench – the length should be almost as wide as your bed so that the scale feels right.
5. A radiator cover
A radiator cover with drawers is particularly well-suited to hallways, where there's almost always a radiator and almost never enough storage.
The surface on top functions as a console table and a place for keys and post to land, the drawers absorb the extra clutter and the radiator recedes from view.
6. A double-duty dining nook
A dining nook is a space-saving feat in itself, but storage benches elevate it further. A lift-up top will give you access to storage for table linens, serving dishes, and all those extra bits you keep for dinner guests.
The nook format tends to seat more people across less floor space than a table with chairs on all sides, which is reason enough to consider it before defaulting to a standard dining set.
7. A Murphy bed
A Murphy bed is the ultimate multitasker. 'It gives you a comfortable guest bedroom when needed, then easily folds away in minutes,' says Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors. 'This approach ensures the room is always functional, whether you’re hosting overnight guests or using it day to day.' Built-in storage around the bed offers space for linens and everyday essentials.
Jen Rothbury (@crack_the_shutters) added a Murphy bed in her dressing room (above) with a central island on castors that rolls away to make space for the bed to fold down.
If structural work isn't on the cards, an ottoman bed is just as multitasking, adding more than two square metres of extra space in a double.
House Beautiful Harmonia Double Ottoman Bed
House Beautiful Harmonia Double Ottoman Bed
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