Published 10 October 2025 | Last Modified 10 October 2025

The Art of the Multi-Purpose Room

How to Create a Multi-Purpose Room 

Now, more than ever, our home needs to work as hard as we do, whether it’s an open-plan living space for entertaining and relaxing or a cosy nook for reading and working. Good news, then, that we’ve got a beautiful collection of versatile designs to help you create flexible spaces, and all without compromising on aesthetics. Just in time for a seasonal refresh, we round-up the best ideas for multifunctional spaces, from seating that doubles as storage to a rather playful games table and sofa beds that actually look the part.

Everyone’s Invited 

The crowning glory of any multipurpose room design? The sofa bed, of course, which really comes into its own during entertaining season. Luckily, they’ve come on leaps and bounds in recent years to combine function and form, such as in our Egerton, which can be made-to-order to your exact space and taste. With gently-sloping arms, tapered legs and seriously plump cushions, it’s a thing of beauty when used for seating, while it can be easily turned into a bed by lifting off the cushions, pulling out the frame and unfolding onto its legs. Perfect for hosting friends and family in even the smallest of rooms.

Raise the Bar 

It can be hard to create multifunctional spaces in your home. Here, we’ve styled-up a bar that divides the lounge from the kitchen with a pair of our high Camaret Bar Stools featuring a gently-curved back that’s comfortable enough for working with a laptop by day but elegant enough for cocktail hour with a martini (dry with a twist, naturally) come evening. Just add our new Purdy Table Lamp with a chinoiserie shade for a soft and flattering glow that’s conducive to date-night drinks. 

Take a Seat 

It can be the eternal problem: why isn’t there enough storage? Luckily, there’s a raft of multifunctional furniture for small spaces, such as our just-launched Leila Upholstered Ottoman. Whether used as a footrest when you’re relaxing, an extra seat to catch the overspill during gatherings or simply as a surface for topping with our Yatana Rattan Ottoman Tray filled with decorative accessories and objets d’art, it can be one of the most-hardworking pieces in your home. But the best bit? Its generous frame conceals hidden storage, whether for books, linen or otherwise.  

Switch it Up 

Our new Capablanca Games Table has a secret. Not only does its slimline frame easily fold-away when not in use to save on all-important space, but it features two tops that can be switched in and out as required: a chequerboard surface for chess or draughts and a felt-lined top for cards on one side and backgammon on the other. Better still, it can also be used as a stylish and compact side table that slots between two armchairs or sofas. A compelling gambit in multi-functional living. 

Host with the Most 

Investing in a generous sideboard is one of the most intelligent moves you can make when it comes to multi-purpose room ideas, especially in a dining space. Here, our naturally recycled elm wood Lowenna Sideboard provides a generous amount of storage behind its four doors for crockery, glassware and other tablescaping accoutrement, while the top provides a surface for displaying a couple of table lamps, or for showcasing foliage. A stylish and simple way to host with storage for every dining essential.  

Get in the Zone  

A screen divider is nothing new when it comes to divvying up spaces, but our Areca Screen is. It’s beautifully-crafted from weathered oak to create a solid frame but soft appearance with upholstery in our namesake print featuring a repeating botanical motif in a seafoam colourway. Use it simply to add a decorative accent, or for designating one zone as separate from another.