When I was approached by the magazine back in March I had a ton of ideas that I wanted to convey to the writer Jennifer Hatt. The main point I wanted to make is that any room can be multi functional if good solid space planning is executed correctly from the beginning; in fact this rule is true for all design projects in general.
What is space planning you may ask? Space planning simply refers to layout of furniture as well as ideas for current and future purchases in order to achieve the space the client desires. I use a computer program to show my clients exactly how spaces will function and look once completed. This program gives the client a space plan in 3D as well as 1D so the plan can be explained step by step and then executed.
If a client says they want a home office that doubles as a spare bedroom, I automatically ask myself: what multi-tasking furniture would work best to suit the needs of this project? One possible solution is a wall bed. These beds are fabulous because they actually fold into the wall and leave a seamless look. This means the office can truly function for work when needed and vise versa. To me, this is the best use of space imaginable. The fact that you can transform a room in a few simple steps with ease is very appealing. (Murphy's Wall Bed shown below).
If you have a little more space to play with then doing a seating arrangement in the office consisting of a pull-out sofa and 2 chairs is also a nice idea. This option offers a zone for seating and relaxing as well as the original office use.
Multi function spaces are best when they are kept simple. Avoid the urge to paint a feature wall. Instead focus on creating a monochromatic space as these tend to look larger because the eye does not stop in one particular area but keeps moving. Another error that people frequently make is cramming a lot of small pieces into a small space. Using larger multi-functional pieces not only looks better but it makes the room appear larger. Another design trick when working with tight spaces is to use armless and or backless furniture. This Parsons chair from www.allbarstools.com is a great example as it’s narrow, armless and is free from skirting on the bottom.
Transparent chairs are also a nice option in a contemporary space as they blend visually into a room and a result take up little space.
Designing a multi function space can be achieved if you follow these simple design rules and remember to pull the room together with a rug and co-ordinating drapery. Doing this, along with a monochromatic color scheme, choosing just the right functioning pieces and having a solid space plan will ensure a perfect design!
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