Recessions make many renters more creative. Maybe you're moving from a one-bedroom to a studio, taking on a roommate or expecting a baby but can't afford a bigger place.
Instead of sacrificing an entire room to space constraints, why not make one room do the work of two? You can create harmonious multipurpose rooms with versatile furniture, unifying colors, lighting and good organization.
"People are making do instead of moving," says Apartment Therapy founder Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. "They're fitting more spaces in the space they already have."
And it's not too hard, experts reassure.
First, figure out what functions each space needs to accommodate and what you need to store there. Once you know what the room is going to be — a living room, dining room and office, for example — you've got a design roadmap.
Getting the right furniture is critical. If your room is serving double duty, so should your furnishings.
House Beautiful magazine style director Newell Turner has his favorites: daybeds and small tables.
Pile cushions on a daybed and voila, you have an instant sofa in a living room or office. Stash them in the closet at night and you're ready for bed. Pullout sofas or futons can also be used to tie together a living room and bedroom.
Turner also recommends little tables. They're versatile because they work hard together and alone. You can group them to create a coffee table or pull them apart to serve as drink tables, bedside tables or a place to set your laptop.
Janice Simonsen, design spokeswoman for Ikea, likes to use small stools as end tables or bedside tables. If you need extra seating for a dining table, pull them out.
Or, get rid of a dining table altogether, like Simonsen has done in her own apartment. Instead, she stores floor pillows under her long rectangular coffee table in the living room.
"When guests come over, we dine Japanese style on the cushions," she says.
Don't forget to use vertical space wisely, Simonsen says. You can attach a fold-out table to the wall that can serve as a desk or dining area. Fold it up for more room.
Think about installing a Murphy bed if you're short on space. If you have a high ceilings, you can make a split-level loft.
"We've seen couples put a queen-sized bed up top and underneath they will build an office or all the storage for the two of them," Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan says.
Whatever pieces you buy, don't forget to measure. In a space that's serving two purposes, inches matter. So when you're shopping take a tape measure along.
Color can also create unity in what could become a disjointed room. Turner suggests using a neutral palette throughout a multipurpose room. Choose a hue that's comfortable, cozy and you can live with in a variety of ways. To spice up the space, add colorful accessories.
"Be cautious about delineating spaces with color because you're just making the individual spaces smaller," Newell cautions.
However, Gillingham-Ryan thinks accent walls in different colors can create flow and give a sense of more spaces. For example, paint the wall behind the bed in an alcove a different color from the accent wall in the living area. But use a neutral color throughout to tie it together.
Most design experts advise against physically dividing up a space. But if you need to, avoid temporary walls. They're expensive and will tend to make things smaller, Gillingham-Ryan says. Instead, opt for barriers that allow light to pass through like bookcases or curtains hung from the ceiling.
Bookcases will also provide extra storage space, and baskets can be used to hide knickknacks and give an uncluttered look.
Last, use lighting to highlight different areas. It will map out the bedroom, the office and the living area. Also, a well lit room can make any space feel bigger.
Says Gillingham-Ryan: "Perception is not about how many square feet you have. It's what you seem to have."
Copyright 2009 AP News
