How to Furnish Your Small Space
May 21st 2019
Emily Ware, a delighted customer, and Merchandising Manager/Buyer at the Greendale, WI location, has wonderful advice on how to be diligent with your space and investment.
It Takes Two, Baby: Embracing Multi-Functional Furniture
Ware emphasizes the importance of dual-purpose pieces, explaining, “A lot of it is how you find multi-functional furniture. Items that serve only one purpose generally have little function for us at all.” When you live in a small space, each piece of furniture must work harder, offering multiple functions to maximize utility and simplify daily life.
For example, the Marshfield McClain Storage Ottoman in Leather looks like a standard chaise but reveals hidden storage beneath its cushion. This clever design provides a place to stow blankets, pillows, or decorative items, keeping your living area tidy and organized. Storage ottomans with removable tops that double as serving trays are perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying a cozy night in. By choosing pieces like these, you can optimize floor space and functionality without sacrificing style.
Multi-functional furniture is essential for small-space living, helping you reduce clutter and make the most of each square foot. From ottomans that double as coffee tables to storage benches that serve as extra seating, these small-space solutions offer smart ways to maximize every corner of your home.
Expanding Your Living Room’s Functionality
Interestingly, Ware has noticed a trend among those who live in a small home: a preference for larger coffee tables. “I think people are spending a lot of time in their living room. The TV’s there, and some coffee tables even have built-in outlets for electronics. I also think coffee tables are becoming dining tables for some people,” she explains.
Today’s large coffee tables offer ample surface area for dining, working, and relaxing. Some tables even feature hidden storage or lift-top surfaces, making them perfect for small apartments or homes where every inch of floor space counts. By opting for a larger coffee table, you can create a central focal point in your living area that serves multiple purposes, whether you’re enjoying a meal, working from home, or hosting friends for a movie night.
Honey, I Shrunk the Table: Small Dining Solutions for Modern Lifestyles
As living spaces become more compact, dining room furniture has evolved to match. Ware has seen a shift toward smaller, more versatile dining tables, such as the Vallis Writing Desk from the Union Collection. These tables are ideal for intimate meals and work equally well as a writing desk, making them a perfect fit for multi-functional spaces. Compact dining tables can add a touch of style and function to any room.
Long, narrow tables, like the Dane 3 Drawer Console Desk, are also popular. This slim design can serve as a dining table for two, a home office workspace, or an entryway table. Ware notes that the trend toward small dining tables may reflect changes in dining habits. “It’s about a lot of the health trends—small plates, bowls of soup, and salads… I think family-style dining is much smaller now,” she explains.
Modern dining area tables are designed to fit various lifestyles, allowing you to make the most of limited space. Whether you’re enjoying a meal or catching up on work, these pieces of furniture offer the flexibility and functionality that small-space living demands.
Staying Ahead of Small-Space Trends
At Penny Mustard, our team of designers, like Emily Ware, stays ahead of interior design trends, ensuring you have access to the best room furniture for your investment. As small home spaces continue to evolve, we are committed to offering high-quality, stylish options that enhance small-space solutions for every home and apartment.
With multi-functional furniture, you can transform any small space into a comfortable, stylish haven. From storage ottomans that keep your living area organized to small dining tables that maximize flexibility, each piece adds a touch of practicality to your decor. By choosing neutral colors and natural materials, you can create the illusion of a larger space in your home, while versatile pieces like bar carts further enhance functionality and style. Explore Penny Mustard’s collection of small-space solutions, and discover how you can furnish your home with furniture that fits your space and style.