Most of us perform multiple functions in our busy, hectic lives. So why shouldn’t our living quarters do the same?
With the downsizing trend and the desire to be smarter about spending home improvement dollars, more Atlanta homeowners are finding ways to create double-duty rooms. Kitchens that also serve as home offices, laundry rooms that double as homework stations, dens that convert quickly into guest rooms, and formal living rooms that also can work as playrooms all illustrate a growing trend for multitasking spaces.
Virginia-Highland homeowner Eric Erickson, who works for the government, used Atlanta-based contractor Home ReBuilders to convert a raw attic space into a second-story addition in his 3,600-square-foot 1929 Cotswold Cottage-style home.
The attic conversion now features two bedrooms, two baths, a laundry room and one multitasking room he describes as his “scrapbook lounge.” Since he was in high school, Erickson has been creating scrapbooks of the memorable events in his life, including his own home renovation.
“I’m one of the few men who do it,” he said with a laugh. “It’s usually me and a lot of soccer moms.”
Like other homeowners who get double duty out of a room by incorporating a favorite hobby, the room is dedicated to Erickson’s scrapbook hobby but also functions as a casual space for guests.
“When I have friends over, I usually bring them up to the lounge and we watch TV upstairs, and sit around and chat,” Erickson said.
“On one side, I’ve got my big scrapbooking desk and all of my scrapbooking supplies. And on the other side is a daybed/couch, and then a nice chair and a little ottoman in the middle,” Erickson said. “One time I had a bunch of college friends at the house, and they were all sitting around looking at my scrapbooks and part of me wanted to cry, ‘This is exactly why we designed the house this way.’”
Rooms that do more than one thing are especially valuable when space is at a premium.
Interior designer Janie Hirsch, who owns J. Hirsch Interior Design in Johns Creek, helped a homeowner who works in finance get more mileage out of the dining room in his 2,000-square-foot Cumming town house. By adding built-in wall-to-wall bookshelves, Hirsch allowed the homeowner to use the space as his home office as well as a dining room without sacrificing either style or functionality.
Hirsch has seen an uptick in recent years in the number of clients looking for rooms to perform dual functions. “People are going to smaller houses instead of these huge ones we were building for a while,” Hirsch said.
Leading the way in the drive to get more function out of one space is the contemporary kitchen. Contractors and designers observed that beginning six to eight years ago, kitchens began to expand their multitasking, often incorporating a work space and family room component.
“It’s about families spending more time together in a common space rather than it being separated by walls,” said Karen King, director of marketing with Atlanta’s Home ReBuilders, whose company transformed Erickson’s Virginia-Highland home. “I think the changes you see are driven by lifestyle.”
Being smart about how you live is key to making multitasking design work. Both contractors and interior designers emphasize the importance of rethinking your existing space rather than just reflexively adding on.
“I think you just have to be creative and think through how you live and what your needs are. I don’t think you have to necessarily enlarge a footprint,” King said.
“People are trying to make the most of what they have,” King said of the double-duty room trend. ”Right now with the economy the way it is, people are not trying to necessarily enlarge their homes, just make them more efficient in terms of the way they live.”
WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
Some ways to get more from each room in your home.
Hallway as gallery
Cluster your favorite artwork or family photographs in a hallway and add a bench or chairs if the hallway is large enough.
Incorporate a hobby
Instead of letting a formal living room or guest room sit empty when not in use, consider making it a space to indulge a favorite pastime, whether music, crafting or art.
Rethink your dining room table
Rather than one very large table surrounded by chairs that makes your dining room good for only one function, consider a smaller table, or grouping of tables. Incorporate a chaise, a comfortable chair or an ottoman to make the room function as a game room, homework room or overflow area when entertaining.
Foyers can be functional
Entrances can be more than just a transitional space. Think about benches or cabinets, seating and other elements that can make this room function as a place for storage or for overflow guest seating.
Make closets count
Closets can add more function to small rooms when you convert them into personal offices or even bars.
DESIGNERS' ADVICE
Interior designers offer their tips for thinking beyond one-use spaces.
- Rather than big, bulky pieces of furniture, use smaller pieces of furniture that can be moved around easily, to allow rooms to change as needed. -- Janie Hirsch, J. Hirsch Interior Design, Johns Creek
- Purchase double-tasking furniture like daybeds, sleeper sofas, small tables and other items that can easily convert any room to a guest room or work space. -- Margaret L. Norcott, Milieu Design Group, Sandy Springs
- The laundry room is not just for laundry. It's a phenomenal place for storage, a perfect spot for gift wrapping, even a small homework station. -- Margaret L. Norcott
- Landings at the top of stairs can be used as a homework/work station with a long console station and an ottoman or two tucked underneath to be easily pulled out for seating. -- Margaret L. Norcott
- A guest room or master bedroom can make a great home office if you keep your technology under control. A laptop, a remote printer and making use of online storage services and going paperless keep clutter at bay. -- Dayka Robinson, Dayka Robinson Designs, Stone Mountain
- Vintage secretaries and armoires are great multitasking furniture pieces. They make great desks when drawers are used for storage and papers and one of the shelves is used as a laptop desk. -- Dayka Robinson
- Formal living rooms that aren't used very often can become great playrooms with changeable pillows or bookshelves with baskets for storing children's toys. -- Dayka Robinson
