Our personal living spaces are constantly evolving. According to an international study about future homes, experts in 7 out of 12 countries see hybrid homes and multi-functional living spaces are on the raise. That is because globally, home sizes are shrinking. For example in the last 8 years, the average home in the UK shrunk from 104 m² to 87 m².
Living in a smaller home can bring several challenges. One of the main challenges is the lack of storage space. With limited room to store belongings, it can be difficult to keep the home organized and clutter-free. Additionally, smaller homes also offer less separate living spaces for different activities such as working or exercising. In addition, smaller homes may not have as many amenities as larger homes, such as multiple bathrooms or a dedicated laundry room.
By turning your home into a multipurpose space you can maximise the usability of the available space in your home. In the following, we will show you how you can build a hybrid home by using multifunctional furniture and what the concrete advantages are.
Benefits of Turning Your Home into A Multipurpose Space
The hybrid home brings together the following potential benefits:
1. Maximises Available Space
It doesn’t make sense to start knocking down your wall to create more space; doing so can cost you a lot.
But if you use the right furniture, you can make the most out of your available space in your home, and multi-functional furniture is your surest bet when you want to maximise the available space in your home.
For example, you can swap your sofa for a sleeping couch, which is a perfect solution if you don’t have a separate guest room.
Using multi-functional furniture such as a sofa bed can make you double up your study as an extra bedroom, and it serves as a seat during the day and a bed at night.
2. Minimizes Clutter
Clutter is one of the major issues in every small home, and it not only makes the space look smaller but also takes away the room’s beauty and makes it less appealing to you and your guests.
But one of the importance of multi-functional rooms and furniture is that it helps with decluttering by reducing the number of pieces of furniture in a room.
Some space-saving or multi-functional furniture comes with storage space that helps you keep your small space tidy and clutter at bay, making the space feel inviting.
3. Lower Costs
Hybrid homes or multipurpose rooms reduce the need to buy multiple furnishings. Not only that this will save you some space, but it will save you money as well.
For example, you can use an ottoman to replace your coffee table. Doing this will create a surface you can use as a coffee table, and it can serve as extra seating for guests when necessary.
4. Easier customisation of Your Space
Also, when you use multi-purpose furniture, you can effortlessly customise your home space into an office. This is because you are restricted to the shape or size of traditional pieces of furniture.
Since most of the multi-purpose furniture has storage spaces, it makes sense for easier customisation.
When you can customise your space into an office, it creates a comfortable and efficient workspace for you and your employees.
5. Aesthetically Pleasing
The Japanese are masters of multifunctional homes. They even have their own style – Kanso – which combines functionality with aesthetics. With the right choice of furniture, you too can implement this concept. The result is a relaxed and beautiful living space.
Also, you can use matching colours and styles to add extra visual interest to your home. With the right aesthetics in place, you can have the assurance of a beautiful home to the admiration of your guests.
How to Realize Your Hybrid Home
So much for the theory. But how do you create a multifunctional home? Here are a few ideas. With a little planning, the steps outlined are not expensive either. Here is how you can calculate costs for your planned home renovation.
Utilize Vertical Space
To maximize limited square footage in a small home, utilize vertical space by installing shelves, hanging storage, or using furniture with built-in storage. This can help to create more storage space without taking up valuable floor space.
Use Furniture That Serves Multiple Purposes
Invest in furniture that can serve multiple purposes, such as a sofa bed, a storage ottoman, or a dining table that can be folded down when not in use. This can help to create functional spaces that can be used for different activities.
Get Creative with Room Dividers
Room dividers can be used to create separate living spaces within a small home. Consider using a bookshelf, curtains, or a sliding door to create different areas for sleeping, working, or relaxing.
Use Lighting to Create Different Moods
By using light, you can change the atmosphere in a room. For example, you can make them appear more at home or larger. This does not create more space in practice but gives you and visitors a less cramped feeling.
Conclusion
So, there you go. These are some reasons and practical tips you should consider when it comes to creating your own multipurpose home.
In a nutshell, hybrid homes are economical and add more variety to your home. If you have limited space, it’s time to get creative and find the solutions that work best for you!