The way we use our homes is changing. In years past, the living room was where you gathered with your family, talked about your day and watched TV. But these days, it's so much more. The living room is often where you work from home, your kids do their homework, you store items that don't seem to fit anywhere else, you eat dinner and maybe even where your guests sleep. This is especially true in 2020 and beyond, as the COVID-19 pandemic sent us all home from work and school to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Throw in the fact that many people are downsizing these days, favoring experiences over possessions — a trend that will likely continue as the pandemic slows down — and that means it's more important than ever to make the most of every inch of your space. If you're wondering where to start, consider adding one or all of these must-have items to your multi-purpose living room.
1. Furniture That Doubles as Storage
Whether you've downsized or just don't have as many closets as you'd like, storage space is something almost everyone wants but doesn't have enough of. While your living room may not seem like the best place to store items like linens and toys — who wants to entertain guests with piles of clutter sitting around? — there are some ways to do it in plain sight. Choose items like ottomans and coffee tables that double as hidden storage. Or use a trunk instead of a coffee table or a small chest instead of an end table. You'll save space, and no one will ever know your extra sheets or kids' blocks are right there in the living room.
2. Desks for Work Space
If you're like many people, you're working from home now. That may or may not be a permanent situation, but either way, you may find that you're growing tired of spreading your paperwork out on the dining room table or setting your laptop up at the kitchen counter. If you don't have a designated home office, create one in your living room by adding a desk and chair to a quiet corner. Use shelving, a mirror or a decorative screen if you feel the need to create a barrier that separates your new office space from the rest of the room. If working or doing schoolwork at home is only a temporary situation, don't run out and spend tons of cash on new furniture. You can create a multipurpose living room that doubles as an office by renting the pieces you need. Once you make your selections, CORT Furniture Rental will deliver them right to your door. And when you're finished, we'll pick them up, and you can use that space for something else.
3. Sleeper Sofa
If you don't have a guest room, but you like to have friends and family visit, you do have some options. You can send them off to an expensive hotel, have them sleep on an uncomfortable air mattress, or even a make-shift pallet or sleeping bag on the floor. Unfortunately, these options can also leave your guests with an empty wallet or a bad back. Instead, invest in a good comfortable sleeper sofa. By making this single change, you turn your living room into a guest room. It's also convenient for naps or when one of you in your partnership is sick and doesn't want to spread germs. If you're having a guest stay with you for a while and you don't want to make a permanent change to your living room, you may even consider renting a sleeper sofa for that duration.
4. Stools That Double as Tables
Anyone who entertains knows that having enough seating is almost always a problem. You can always invest in uncomfortable folding chairs, but then, where do you store them? And who wants to pull them out of the basement or attic and up or down the stairs every time you have an impromptu get-together? Instead, look for stools that can double as side tables when your guests go home. This ensures you have plenty of seating throughout the room as well as places for your guests to place their cups, plates, purses and phones while they're mingling.
5. Convertible Dining Table
If you live in an apartment or a smaller home, you may not have a formal dining room or room for a full-size dining room table. That's probably fine most of the time, but if you're having guests over for dinner or working on a big project that requires extra space, you need a larger surface. Don't go for a too-big table in a space that's too small. Instead, opt for a convertible or expandable table. By day, it's small enough for you or your family to enjoy a meal or even to double as a workspace. By night, it expands into the perfect space for entertaining. Use the extra chairs as accent seating in other parts of the house when the table is not expanded.
6. Shelving
Shelving is another great way to add storage to your living room without compromising your decor. Use it to showcase your collections, like books or knick knacks. Add decorative baskets and boxes to disguise the items you don't want to showcase, like your kids' toys or your school or work gear. If your living room doubles as a guest room with a sleeper sofa, use the baskets and boxes to store extra towels and sheets. The possibilities are endless.
When you want to turn your living room into a multifunctional space, but you're not ready to make a permanent change, CORT Furniture Rental is the solution. We offer high-quality items for all rooms in the house in all styles of decor that you can rent for a brief period or long term. Just choose the items you want to rent, and we'll handle the rest, delivering it right to your living room so you can use it as soon as possible.
