Decorating & Design
July 15, 2016
3 Double-Duty Rooms That Maximize Space
It’s not whether a home is large or small, but how well it works — and today, that can mean using a space in more ways than one. Here are three rooms that work twice as hard, including a home office that doubles as a dining room, a laundry and mudroom in one, and a dressing room plus bathroom.
With a laptop and a coffee, anyplace can be a workspace, but the large surface of this Parsons dining table is perfect for spreading out papers or jotting notes. Use a tall, sculptural table lamp as a pretty desk light. When moved to a sideboard, it’ll cast mood lighting for dinner.
A bank of closed cupboards and polished bookshelves provide both practical storage and refined detail. Office sundries can be gathered in canisters or baskets.
A bench with hidden storage inside seats office visitors or dinner guests and conceals extra table linens. A bergere is comfortable for hours of typing and also makes a statement at the head of the table. Fill in seating with three chairs used as accents in other rooms.
Watch the transformation come to life on H&H TV.
Two well-equipped zones keep clean laundry separate from muddy shoes, but having both functions in one room means wet or stained garments can go directly into the wash. On the mudroom side, rows of hooks and benches make it easy to grab a coat or tie laces.
In the laundry area, closed cabinets hide detergent and cleaning supplies. A central counter-height cart bridges the two sides. Its height makes it ideal for folding, and a lower shelf and bins can store shoes or corral lone socks. A cupboard-to-cupboard rod makes it a cinch to hang delicates up to dry.
The ensuite meets the closet in a bright, nautical-inspired space that eliminates the need to scamper from shower to dresser. Instead, clothing, jewelry and makeup are all stored within arm’s reach of dual sinks and a few steps from the separate shower and WC. Using the same teak for the drawers, stools and vanities means the space feels cohesive, while brass details on the vents, pipes, faucets and shower door are luxe finishing touches. With a pair of stools and a balcony, the bathroom earns its keep as a roomy, attractive destination.
A teak-panelled shower room keeps steam away from makeup and clothing, and with its gleaming brass fixtures and view of the sea, it feels like a glamorous ship’s cabin.
House & Home August 2015