Page 20 - Indulge October 2017
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DOUBLE DUTY
Setting up rooms for dual roles
Multitasking is so common in our A sofa that opens up to a bed BEDROOM/HOME OFFICE
lives today that it’s extending or a convertible sectional can be a In 2015, 24 percent of employed
even to our homes. comfortable place for guests to lay their
heads. Side tables provide guests with people in the United States did some
Many homes do not have space for places to store their belongings, and or all of their work at home, says the
guest rooms, kids’ play areas and home an empty storage chest can house bed Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bringing
theater lounges that are possible in linens or guests’ clothing. work home means men and women will
homes with substantial square footage. need a space to work. In tight quarters,
But that doesn’t mean homeowners with DEN/PLAYROOM bedrooms may be the only available area.
smaller houses need to miss out. Rooms Children tend to accumulate toys An armoire-style desk will blend in with
are getting new life with multiple uses. the decor and can hide paperwork and
and games. And as kids grow to young electronics behind doors.
The key is to keep the room adults, their list of must-have items —
organized and have plenty of storage, from video gaming systems to other Otherwise, a makeup vanity can
says Shoshana Gosselin, principal electronics — grows along with them. serve the dual purpose of providing a
designer for Love Your Room in Emmaus. Storage can make a room functional place to get ready for a night out and a
for both adults and children. Devote an ready space to house a laptop during
“If your room is being used as a entire wall to a closet or drawer system the day.
family room and office, make sure you where toys can be stored out of sight
incorporate furniture pieces that can when necessary. Gosselin says Love Your Room
hide paper, store files and give you recently finished a project that
table top space for your work to be Create clear zones for each action, combined a bedroom sitting room and
done,” she says. “Bookcases are key Gosselin says. Use area rugs to separate a home office.
for rooms that are also used as office the spaces; bookcases can also be used
and play room spaces. Make sure the as room dividers. “It was a small space, so we added
bookcase can hold bins that can keep an apartment-sized sofa on one wall,
clutter out of site, yet close at hand. Storage ottomans can be used and on the other wall we mounted a
Storage ottomans are wonderful pieces for extra seating while also providing television and placed a table on castors
for storing items as well.” somewhere for homeowners to stash underneath it, along with two small
stuffed animals or games for easy square ottomans,” she says. “This allows
LIVING ROOM/GUEST ROOM access. When choosing furniture, look the home owner to wheel the table to
Entertaining guests is easier when for fabrics that are resistant to stains the sofa to work.”
and modular pieces that can be moved
there’s a dedicated space where visitors around as necessary to create room for If the homeowner wants to relax and
can feel at home. When furnishing a playing or entertaining. watch TV, the table can been wheeled
living room, keep the guest room in mind. back and they grab one of the ottomans
and prop their feet up.
20 | INDULGE • OCTOBER 2017
