Decorating a small home can often feel like an exercise in frustration. You want furniture that is functional and efficient for your small space, but still makes a stylish statement. Storage usually tops the list of concerns when trying to make your smaller floorplan work and our go-to tip to ease your small space woes? Think double-duty furniture!

Make a smart choice now to ensure you can reuse your pieces in a different room when you move to a new or larger home. In open concept spaces, it’s even more important to choose pieces that are multifunctional, stylish, and fit the aesthetic of the room. To get the most out of your investment, here are our top picks for pieces that serve up double-duty in function and style.

The Ottoman

The ottoman has evolved to become a versatile living room piece. Use it as an additional seat. Top it with a tray for a coffee table alternative. It can even change a sofa into a sectional. Available in a variety of styles and materials, an ottoman is also an easy way to inject a new colour or pattern into the room with low commitment.

The Storage Bed

With the growth and appeal of small space living these days, it’s no wonder that there’s plenty of furniture designed specifically to solve those storage solutions. For the bedroom, nothing tops a storage bed when circulation space is tight and an additional piece like a dresser is not an option. Transitioning to a larger space later on? You can use the drawers for extra bed linens or off-season clothes.

The Dresser

Not just for the bedroom anymore, a dresser is a versatile furniture piece that offers concealed storage in a variety of rooms – particularly in a small home. Place it in the entryway to store everything from extra scarves, shoes, and mail. The surface proves a perfect perch for daily necessities like keys and a phone. With deep drawers, you can use a dresser in the dining room to store extra dinnerware and serveware. No linen closet? Use a dresser to store sheets and towels .

The Console Table

Every home needs surfaces to display art, photos, favourite pieces or even a spot to place your morning coffee. In smaller spaces, the console table can serve multiple purposes. Placed behind a sofa, it can help define the living space from the rest of the room. As another option, its narrow width makes it a great choice as an alternative to a standard depth desk.

Photography courtesy of Hudson’s Bay