Not everyone has the luxury of a separate home office or a room just for working out. Sometimes, you’ve got to squeeze a play area in the living room, take work calls in the kitchen, and maximize a spare room to its fullest potential.  

But how do you combine these different functions into one space without it looking cluttered and chaotic?

We asked interior designers to spill their top tips for achieving a space that is equal parts versatile, stylish, and harmonious.

Define the Room’s Functions

Focus on two to three functions to prevent the space from feeling too busy.

“When creating separate zones, avoid overwhelming the room with too many functions," says Ashley Kruger, an interior designer at StudioMorey. "Prioritize what activities are the most important, and design around those needs.”

We particularly love how Gemma Bertolotto, the founder of Gemma Bertolotto Interiors, turned her butler’s pantry into an eye-catching multipurpose room.

“It’s basically a huge butler's pantry with a TV, fireplace, and sofa," she said. "We were forced to make it multipurpose as there wasn’t space in our kitchen for a fridge freezer and used this room as an overspill."

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Zoning Is Key

Splitting the space into different zones is the tricky part. Not only do you have to figure out where each piece of furniture should go, but you also have to make sure they are arranged in a way that allows for easy transitions.

Laura Hodges, the owner and principal interior designer of Laura Hodges Studio, suggests using area rugs and arranging furniture in groupings rather than creating visual walls when designing a multipurpose room. 

Choose Flexible Furniture

The last thing you’d want to do is overcrowd a room, so multifunctional furniture is a must when creating a chic multipurpose room.

“Avoid oversized pieces that will dominate the room, and instead, choose a range of smaller furnishings that provide comfort and functionality without overwhelming the space,” says Kruger. “This also means that they can be easily moved around, depending on the use of the room.”

Her top recommendations are ottomans that come with hidden storage and sofa beds that serve as guest accommodation when needed.

“Extendable tables are also useful, as they can easily accommodate both working and dining needs,” she adds.

Incorporate Clever Storage Solutions

Ample storage is key to keeping clutter at bay and maintaining an organized look.

In hardworking rooms, interior stylist Maxine Brady recommends looking out for pretty baskets to stash throws and cushions in, storage footstools that can hide magazines and the remote in, as well as a large shelving unit that can house all your books and records. 

Teri Simone, head of design and marketing at Nieu Cabinet Doors, also shares a few clever storage hacks for kitchens that pull double-duty as work-from-home spaces.

“There’s no reason that messy kitchen clutter needs to interfere with your workday or have office papers follow you to dinner,” she says. “Think easy-to-access storage bins behind doors or drawers to slide your laptop, notebook, and pages into at the end of the day.” 

She suggests adding a small slot underneath an island countertop to tuck your laptop and charger cables when making food.

“Get creative with it but with a focus on making sure you can put away whatever isn’t required for the task at hand,” says Simone.

Embrace Timeless Flexibility

Instead of following fleeting trends, Kruger insists on going for a timeless design that will provide longevity.

“Neutral color palettes and classic furnishings mean that the space can easily evolve for your changing needs," Kruger says. "For example, a neutral space will aid focus in a home study, but it also serves as a calming backdrop for toys in a playroom."

Sticking to a timeless decorating style also doesn’t mean the room has to be devoid of personality. If anything, it provides a versatile backdrop for personal touches like artwork and patterned fabrics to shine through.

Add Splashes of Personality

Not a fan of all-neutral spaces? Brady proposes keeping the walls white and adding color with accessories. Pillows and throws are a great way to switch up colors and patterns for the season.

“Swap out pastel tones for summer and warmer colors during the winter months,” Brady suggests. “Don't forget you can put cushions on your dining chairs as well as on your sofa and armchairs.”

If you’ve got the time and budget, you could also jazz up your fireplace with patterned tiles, just like Brady did in her multipurpose living area.

“I chose tiles in gray and white for a sleek look, and the monochrome design means that they sit well with the other colors in my room even if I change things up,” she comments.

Layer Lighting

There’s nothing chic about poorly lit rooms, which is why Kruger stresses the importance of incorporating a variety of lighting sources.

“Doing this enables you to easily change the room’s ambiance for different activities and moods,” she explains. “Dimmable overhead lights will provide this flexibility, offering bright illumination and darker settings when needed.”

Introducing lighting at different levels is equally important. Kruger recommends wall sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps to provide softer atmospheric lighting during the evening. 

Besides setting the mood, these light fixtures can also be used to highlight specific areas of the room.

“Have a task lamp for your home office area, picture wall lights to draw attention to your art, and a softer table lamp lighting for when watching TV or entertaining,” adds Brady. And if you want a little bit of sparkle, fairy lights strung over a bookcase or fireplace will do the trick.