Do you sometimes wish you had the room for a safe gym in your home? Maybe just space for a mat and some weights?
Do you dream of a dedicated office space where you can work in peace and quiet, uninterrupted by the rest of your household? Would you like to have a kitchen that lets you whip up dreamy meals and plate them in a dining room fit for royalty?
Do you, however, live in a small(ish) apartment that does not provide any of these options? And is this space also rented?
If that’s the case, take a look at some of our tips for designing a smashing multifunctional space that will allow the multitasker in you to thrive like never before.
Consider Different Intentions
To make the most out of multitasking (for example, working and having a meal, or having a video meeting and relaxing, or even sleeping and eating) in the same space, you need to consider which activities need to be accommodated in this space.
For example, you want to work out. Your spouse wants to work on their laptop at the same time. What’s the best arrangement to make both of these things happen without having to significantly shift anyone’s plans and cause any inconvenience? Do you do it in the same room, or is one of you in the kitchen while the other is in the bedroom?
Once you have your “sections” down, you can begin to turn different areas into multipurpose stations.
Try not to tie yourself to the same space for the entirety of the day, though. For example, don’t eat, work, and then lounge around in the exact same place. That will be bad for your mental health.
Designate different areas for different sections of your day, and you’ll feel a bit more like you’ve actually come home from work.
Kitchen Plus Dining Room or Kitchen Plus Lounge
The most common multitasking combination is probably the kitchen plus dining room. If you don’t have a dining table, a kitchen island or breakfast nook usually serves as one.
To make the most use of this space, make sure it’s practical for you. Add storage elements to the island (for plates, cups, cutlery, wipes, etc.) or keep placemats permanently laid out.
If you also use the island/table for working, studying, or for playtime, you can make better use of it.
Add all the cords, chargers, and other electronics you need. Throw in a USB port somewhere, as it will likely come in handy. Try to hide your wires under the edges so that you don’t trip over them every time you walk by.
You can also bring a screen into the kitchen if you’d like to watch TV, YouTube, or Netflix while making a meal. A Bluetooth speaker will help you stay up to date with your favorite podcasts, or you can enjoy some music while meal prepping.
Living Room Plus Play Area
Living in a small space also means the kids will have to make do with a play area in the, let’s say, living room.
Whichever space you choose to allocate for the kiddos, make it their own, at least to an extent.
A rug on the floor that only goes down for playtime can teach them when a room is available for play and when it’s reserved for other activities. Storage solutions they can actually reach can help them get to their toys on their own without having to ask for your help.
Now, you’re probably asking – Won’t all the child-themes stuff mess with the decor of the room?
If you play it smart, it doesn’t have to.
Their toys can be stored in very adult-appropriate units, and you can set up one corner for their art or craft projects, as opposed to turning the entire space into a kindergarten. A bit of color won’t do any harm either.
Your main concern should be teaching the kids the boundary between “playroom” and “living room.” Help them understand that you sometimes need the space as well so that they might have to move their adventures to the kitchen or bedroom.
Ideal Office Space
The main issue most multitaskers are faced with is creating that perfect space for a home office. Dining tables are often the alternative to work desks when there’s not quite enough space.
Having a tabletop that is exclusively used for work (for example, one that folds down from the wall) is always the best choice, but understandably, this won’t always be possible. You can also choose to work off the living room coffee table and seat yourself on the floor. You can also hook up your keyboard and mouse with the TV and use that as your monitor.
If you need to work where you eat, find a basket or other container where you can store all your pens, notebooks, headphones, and other accessories. This will help you migrate from one space to the next.
You may also want to consider getting an adjustable bed. While many people associate these with illness, they can actually be an amazing solution for working from home as well. You can get yourself a bed desk and turn the bedroom into the office if you don’t have any other space available.
Your joints and spine will be happy, and you can get an amazing lot done. It’s great for those with very limited space, as well as in situations where several individuals need to work, play, or study all at the same time with limited desk space available.
Closing Thoughts
With so many clever storage and design solutions, you can turn any space into something else in no time. The key is in considering your specific needs and how they can best be met with the limitations you’re facing at the moment.
Keep an open mind and analyze your space as if it had no limitations. You’re bound to come up with a doable solution.
