The Magic of Multi-Tasking Furniture

Five interchangable (and must-have) furniture items that will work extra hard for you and your home

Amanda O'Sullivan 3 May 2015

Houzz Contributor, Owner of RedAgape Blog and Guesthouse in Millthorpe. I am a creative type with a passion for interiors, photography, styling, DIYs and craft.

Houzz Contributor, Owner of RedAgape Blog and Guesthouse in Millthorpe. I am a creative... More

Comment10

Click "Embed" to display an article on your own website or blog.

I love pieces of furniture that serve multiple uses in a variety of settings. Investing in good-quality furniture can be expensive so choosing wisely is important. One way to avoid buyer’s remorse is to choose furniture that can multi-task and serve a variety of uses depending on what the situation demands. ‘Magical multi-taskers’, I call them. Here are some key (and clever) examples.

RedAgape Blog

1. Bench seats
In the dining room
I cannot sing the praises of bench seats enough! I love them, and mine gets used for a variety of functions. They make great seating at the dining room table, especially for those with children.

You can have your pretty upholstered seats on one side of the table for the grown-ups and a sturdy, easy-to-clean bench seat on the other for messy children … and messy visitors.

Kara Rosenlund

In the hallway
Bench seats work well as stands, too. I love how this old bench seat has found a new life as a bookshelf in this hallway. Compact enough to fit into the space and useful enough to serve a function.

Bench seats work beautifully at the entry point of a home, too. Situated in a foyer, they are a handy place to throw a bag or keys as you enter through the front door.

Nexus Designs

In the bedroom
A bench seat at the end of a bed will always add a bit of sophistication to a bedroom. It looks pretty, but is also a practical place to sit and pop your shoes on in the morning. Or maybe you’d prefer a stack of magazines or books at the end of your bed for easy access. The choice is yours.

Emma Blomfield

2. Little tables
Little tables always prove themselves to be a worthy investment as they are the masters of multi-tasking. The options for these little superstars are many as they work well in a variety of settings.

In the bedroom
Occasional tables are ideal as bedside tables where you don’t need a lot of storage. They are particularly useful in a guest room, for example, where only a lamp or book is needed at close reach. This Scandinavian-inspired table could also act as a stand for a plant or vignette, prettying up a corner.

Contemporary Bedroom Contemporary Bedroom

The beauty of small tables in the bedroom is that you don’t need to have a matching pair. Mix them up for a casual but elegant look and when you’re ready for a change, move them into another room to serve a different function.

11 one-of-a-kind bedside tables

Lauren Leonard Interiors

In the hallway
Round tables are probably the most useful of all small tables as they will fit easily into a multitude of spaces.

Little tables are a perfect match for hallways and other transitional spaces. A feature in itself, this beautiful round table looks gorgeous in this entry foyer. Delicately styled with greenery and a book and a handy spot to fling your keys on.

Lee Design

In living areas
Every living area needs a place to sit with a book and a cup of coffee. Group your little tables together in a nest to create more space for incidentals. These tables have been grouped together near this armchair to create a useful space to stack books, a vase, flowers and a glass of wine.

The real beauty is that their size and weight makes them ideal as portable furniture – they are a breeze to move around as needed.

Jane Cameron Architects

3. Stools
I love that stools can be used as tables and that tables can be used as stools. Two pieces of furniture for the price of one. Bravo!

In the bathroom
This stunning wooden stool, with a little greenery on top, adds warmth to this crisp, cool bathroom. Stools are wonderfully versatile, so great in a practical space like the bathroom where one minute you need a spot to rest your glass of wine and the next you need a seat for your tot.

Inexpensive ways to make your bathroom feel better

Darren Palmer Interiors

In the bedroom
This leather covered stool sits comfortably at the end of the bed and makes the perfect substitute for a larger bench seat. This is particularly important in smaller bedrooms because you don’t want to be tripping over the sides or running into it when moving around the bed.

A small stool is an ideal alternative as you still get the benefit of a seat at the end of the bed or a place to stack your favourite books.

12 decorating tips to make any bedroom look better

Rachael Honner Styling

As plant stands
Stools make great stands for plants. This plant sits elevated in the corner of this dining room, which helps to balance the varying tabletop heights in the room. And when you get the call for extra seating, simply pop the plant on the floor and move the stool to where it is needed.

ArchiBlox

This little footstool serves as a stand for a plant, but is also within easy reach whenever the owner needs a step up to reach a cooking book from the top shelves, or needs to pull out the prized china.

Flik by design

4. Trunks
As stacked storage
Trunks, whether new or vintage, will always hold their value. I have a thing for furniture that doubles as practical storage. I have never heard anyone say that they have too much storage. It’s just not possible.

These trunks are stacked for maximum impact in this ultra-cool kids’ room. Vintage maps tie the look together, creating a travelling theme that will ignite the imagination of any young explorer.

Kootut murut

As a coffee table
Pop on some casters and now your trunk is more portable and useful than ever! It looks great as a coffee table in this eclectic living room, but can be easily moved into another room when needed. Books, magazines, blankets or maybe the kids’ toys can all be stored inside.

Castors can be easily found at your local hardware store and aren’t difficult to attach.

More coffee table alternatives

Moda Interiors

In the bedroom
Move your trunk out of the lounge and into the bedroom to serve as a chunky bedside table with storage! A trunk as a bedside table provides enough surface area for your morning coffee, a magazine and maybe even a tray for your breakfast. A trunk will also provide storage for blankets and throws during the warmer months.

Nexus Designs

5. Ottomans
In the living room
Make the absolute most of your ottomans in the living room by giving them more than one purpose. This aubergine ottoman serves as a coffee table, foot rest and a seat for when friends and family come to gather – a wonderfully worthwhile investment.

How to use ottomans to your advantage

Jamie McNeilis, Accredited Staging Professional

As clever storage
If you find ottomans that have been designed as storage then you are in for a treat. These little ottomans are so versatile that you’ll never want them to wear out.

SHARE WITH US
We would love to see your favourite multi-tasking pieces of furniture. Share a picture with us in the Comments.

MORE
Sit Down: What to Look For When Buying Kitchen Stools
Spend More Time in Bed … With the Right Bedside Table
Got Baggage: Stash Your Stuff in Old Trunks, Chests and Suitcases

Comment10

Comments (10)

See 7 more comments

Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo

bigredkate

I use my grandfathers old trunk as a coffee table. He brought all his belongings to Australia in it 100 years ago. Now it stores our out of season clothes.

2 Likes 7 May 2015 at 8:22pm

Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo

PRO

RedAgape Blog

Piaia - the dining room chairs are from Harvey Norman. I hope this helps.

Like 10 May 2015 at 7:44pm

Thank you for reporting this comment. Undo

PRO

Rachael Honner Styling

Multitasking furniture is so great especially so one can mix things up a bit. Such a fab article Amanda - lovely reminders here. Thanks for featuring our living room! X

1 Like 10 May 2015 at 9:35pm