When living in a small apartment or dorm, inevitably, you do not have enough space. You have so many belongings and not enough places to put them! Even if you try and do a deep decluttering, you still have large beds, desks, couches, and more taking up valuable space. It might seem impossible to get the most out of it, but you need multipurpose furniture! These help save space while offering multiple functionalities to help you get rid of otherwise large and bulky furniture.
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Transforming Furniture
First, there is a whole subset of furniture that transforms into other furniture. You’ve likely heard of a Murphy bed that folds up against the wall when not in use. While this is a great start, did you know there are Murphy beds that transform into a sofa, a desk, and even a bookshelf? While choosing a Murphy bed, consider what you would like to have available at the same time. Do you want to pick out a book and read it right before bed? The bookshelf might not be your best option, but the sofa may be! Since the bed is such a large but essential item in your apartment, folding it away to replace it with another useful furniture item will help you maximize your space.
Combining your workspace with a relaxing space does work for some people, which can lead them to buy a coffee table that transforms into a desk. There are many different varieties, but they often have sections that lift to bring your computer or notebook closer to you while on the couch. Do you find yourself often working on your couch anyway? Then it might be time to fully ditch your desk and get a multipurpose coffee table that transforms into a desk when you need it. They include storage that you would have at your desk, so do not worry about where all your other documents will go!
Foldable Furniture
Next, there is a plethora of foldable furniture you can get that fold up to save space when not in use. While this is very similar to transforming furniture, they may not have a second use but do help to save space. For instance, if you’re not entertaining guests often, a big set of chairs and a matching dining table may not be for you. However, you can get one that folds and can be neatly tucked away. Sometimes these transform into side tables, which may work out great!
You can get trays that fold away for eating on the couch or classic folding chairs for extra seating you do not always need, though try and get nicer ones than the standard uncomfortable metal! While these do still take up space when not in use, it is severely less than if you had non-folding items. Consider what you do not need out at all times and consider getting these more temporary solutions to maximize your space.
Hidden Storage
You also want to take advantage of any possible storage space. After you stuff your closet, what’s next? There are plenty of multipurpose furniture that you need to help maximize your space. For instance, there are ottomans that open to hold your items! They come in many different sizes, colors, and styles so you can find something you like. Store items inside, and then use it to rest your feet, sit, or as a cat perch. This is a convenient way to hide items out of sight and remove extra clutter while also serving another purpose.
There are also extra options for storage under the bed. That’s a decent amount of space just collecting dust, but it can be used for so much more! Whether you use traditional under-the-bed boxes, get a bed with built-in drawers, or even one with a nightstand that slides away under the day, there are many ways to use that space to your advantage and help maximize your space. Depending on the size of your bed, you may be able to completely forgo a dresser using those drawers!
Use Your Corners
Many people underutilize their corners when living in a small apartment. Consider getting furniture that is specifically made for your corners! There are different kinds of cabinets, shelves, and drawers that will fit in your corner that you can use for storage or unique decor. When you place regular shelves up against the corner, you are wasting valuable space and not maximizing it to the best of your ability!
These are the best multipurpose furniture items that you need in your apartment to help you maximize your space as much as you can. Multipurpose items are great since they can function as different big pieces while only taking up the space of one. Here’s to a neat, organized, clutter-free apartment that feels bigger than it is!