Designing a stylish and functional multi-purpose space with DOT+POP

Whether it’s remote work or distance learning, Australians are spending more time at home — and with it, we’ve had to reconnect and re-evaluate how we style our spaces. With multiple members sharing the same rooms (often at the same time) multi-functional zones have become a must-have for the modern home in 2021.

Eve Gunson from DOT+POP recently transformed her second living area into a cosy space that functions as a second lounge, cinema room, guest bedroom, playroom — and more! In this guest blog, Eve shares her top tips and tricks for creating a multi-functional space in your home.

During the past two years we have spent more time at home than ever before and therefore our homes have needed to become as flexible as us. Creating spaces and rooms within our homes that can function as multi-purpose zones is extremely important as we navigate this new normal. And luckily, planning and creating a multi-functional living space is a lot easier than you think.

Creating a home that works for each and every person that lives there and how they spend their time ensures that everyone can enjoy the space at the same time. Having areas that can adapt as small children grow, that can be used for multiple purposes and that can easily switch from one purpose to another is the key to creating a successful multi-purpose zone.

Thinking about style

When creating a multi-purpose space thinking about the overall style of the room is key to ensuring that it works from a design perspective. Even though this space serves as a multi-purpose area, it needs to flow, have consistency and feel cohesive with the rest of the house. Therefore, choosing the right furniture is a game-changer.

It’s important to keep in mind that if you’re using a bedroom as an office to keep it feeling homely and relaxing for when bedtime does come around. The same goes for a lounge room that is doubling as a playroom or guest bedroom: it needs to feel spacious and inviting for everyone that is using it. And no matter what the use, choose smart furniture, have ample storage and carry your design style from your home throughout this space.

Use the placement of furniture to help zone a multi-purpose space as this helps all family members use the space at the same time for various activities. Using a rug is the easiest way to do this as it instantly ties a room together by allowing all the furniture in that zone to sit upon it.

Choose a coffee table and entertainment unit with storage to hide away toys, books and clutter but also keep them easily accessible.

Use your walls to display art and draw the eye upwards, hang floating shelves to showcase your treasures without cluttering up surfaces and think about natural light, the more the merrier.

Lighting plays a major role in multipurpose spaces. Overhead lighting is the most practical and will be used the majority of the time, however when your lounge room is converted into a guest bedroom it’s nice to have some moodiness, so think about using a floor lamp or table lamp within the zone that can double as a bedside lamp/task lighting when you have guests.

And don’t forget greenery — real or fake! Plants make such a major difference to the overall lived-in feeling of a room and let’s not forget the health benefits of real plants indoors if you can keep them alive!

Get the look: DOT+POP has incorporated the Carlos Natural Rug as a way to create cohesion within the multi-purpose room. When paired with the Bronte Marble Coffee Table, this combination elevates even the most lacklustre of spaces.

The Guest Room

It’s always a good idea to have an extra bed available. If you don’t have a spare room, fear not — you can still have a spare bed for friends and family that want to stay over. Utilising a sofa bed in your lounge or second lounge space provides functional seating and instant guest accommodation that can be tucked away when not in use.

Sofa beds are not what they used to be, gone are the days of boxy, chunky designs with uncomfortable mattresses… insert stylish designs with super comfy mattresses for a heavenly night’s sleep.

Get the look: A modern mix of plush comfort and timeless design, the Cove Chaise Sofa Bed offers plenty of room for hosting guests. Family and friends will fall in love with the supportive Queen-size memory foam mattress, while you’ll fall in love with the space-saving frame and removable polyester covers.

The Playroom

Our kids’ bedrooms often double as play areas when there isn’t a dedicated space and that’s a wonderful way to use the bedroom in a multi-functional way. However, you can also create exciting multi-functional kids play spaces in other areas of the home (think under stair nooks, unused corners) and the lounge room can be the perfect space - and do not fear, it doesn’t mean being confronted with a constant explosion of toys.

Clever storage is the key factor to make this set-up work as it maximises space and creates a functional room for everyone to enjoy, often at the same time. Think about the layout first and foremost, as where the furniture is placed makes a big difference to the functionality of the space.

Next, you need to think about the furniture selection as it’s these pieces that will make the space work in a practical manner. Coffee tables and/or ottomans with storage are a great way to store away toys when not in use and entertainment units or buffet’s with cupboards and drawers are perfect for organised storage solutions. Baskets and tubs that match your decor are also a great way to ‘contain’ toys and other day-to-day items so they are still easily accessible but not cluttering up surfaces or left in a pile on the floor.

Get the look: Take a leaf out of DOT+POP’s book and opt for the Ossa TV Unit. With a clean geometric design and eight spacious shelves, the Ossa is the ideal solution for storing toys, tech and knick-knacks.

The Home Theatre

Having a second lounge room or ‘home theatre’ is certainly a luxury not everyone has, but if you do have this extra room in your house it’s the perfect room to serve as a multi-functional zone, as well as getting in those movie nights!

If a traditional home theatre is a must-have for you, then thinking about how the sound and light work in the space is super important. But this room doesn’t need to only function as a cinema room, choose seating and furniture that can be easily moved and adjusted within the space so that it can be used for many functions (no recliners with built-in cup holders please!). Don’t go overboard and paint it black — instead, install block-out blinds or curtains for when you want a cinema experience, but allowing for sunlight to stream in for other daytime activities.

Feeling inspired to create a stylish and functional multi-purpose space in your home? Shop our favourite collection of items below.