The “Double Duty” Room Strategy Cubby’s Senior Editor Swears By
When you have a small space or a growing family — or both — every part of your home needs to work a bit harder. Katy Olson, Cubby’s Senior Editor, lives with her husband and two toddlers in a New York home where no one room serves just one purpose.
“My kids are super close in age, which is amazing. They play together, share milestones, and basically have a built-in best friend,” she says. “It’s also exhausting, because I have to keep my eyes on them at all times. For example, my living room ends up pulling double (actually, quadruple!) duty. It’s a playroom, entertaining space, WFH station, and — occasionally — dining room.”
We asked Katy to help us shop for rooms that do it all: transition from day to night, grow with families, and serve multiple functions. She found exactly the type of smart, stylish solutions that spaces like these need at Bob’s Discount Furniture®. They’re furniture and decor pieces that are designed specifically for small spaces, and are priced exceptionally well. Here are three mood boards of Katy’s picks for how to do more with less — and look great in the process.
1. A Family Room That “Grows Up” After Hours
A family room can be entertaining-ready at a moment’s notice when you have clever storage options and elegant, durable furnishings. This modern sectional sofa has hidden storage and a built-in side shelf that’s the perfect height for kids to grab their favorite books. You can stash toys and games in this sleek electric fireplace and TV stand, then adjust the built-in mood lighting for an after-hours atmosphere. Poufs, like this nautical-inspired striped option, are great perches for growing and grown-up guests alike. A plush sherpa rug pulls the room together with a soft surface that little toes will love.
2. From Breakfast Table to Study Hall
Doing homework at the kitchen table is a childhood rite of passage, and the Bettie dining set caught Katy’s eye with its space-saving triangular shape and small two-seat footprint. “It can work as an anchor for a breakfast nook that, by the time the school bell rings, transforms into a homework station,” Katy says. A nook-sized display cabinet can hold cereal bowls, coffee mugs, and school supplies, and a slim accent chair is a comfortable place for kids to finish their reading assignments. A sculptural wood table lamp is a stylish take on task lighting that also adds a warm glow in the evening.
3. Kid Bedroom, Meet Guest Bedroom
For small-space dwellers, a “guest bedroom” is more of an idea than a fixed space. By designing a big kid’s bedroom with visitors in mind, you can make a room that serves both an everyday and an occasional purpose. This bedroom set has a timeless organic style and soft shape, echoed by the rounded lines of an accent chair that’s just the right size for story time. A whimsical ballerina print can inspire little dancers, while kids and adults alike will appreciate the touchable texture of a cozy faux fur comforter. “These pieces pull their weight long-term,” Katy says. “Just remove the toys and change up the artwork, and you have a comfortable retreat for grandparents or overnight visitors, no redesign required.”