A Living Room That Works Twice as Hard

A Living Room That Works Twice as Hard

Not every home has room for a separate study, which means the living room often needs to do double duty. With a few flexible pieces and some clever rearranging, it can become a comfortable workspace by day and a relaxed spot to unwind by evening.

Making room for a proper workspace

Pulling the sofa forward, away from the wall, often reveals more usable space than expected. That gap behind is enough for a slim desk built from an ADILS leg, paired with a tabletop, tucked neatly against the wall without crowding the rest of the room.

A FLINTAN office chair adds proper support for anyone working at a laptop for hours, while a NÄVLINGE LED work lamp keeps the desk well lit without needing the main ceiling light on. Above the desk, a LACK wall shelf holds files, notebooks or a small plant, keeping the surface itself clear for actual work.

Making room for a proper workspaceMaking room for a proper workspace
ADILS leg, black, 4 cmADILS leg, black, 4 cmFLINTAN office chair, beige, 71x114x71 cmFLINTAN office chair, beige, 71x114x71 cmNÄVLINGE LED work lamp, black, 66 cmNÄVLINGE LED work lamp, black, 66 cmADILS leg, white, 4 cmADILS leg, white, 4 cmLACK wall shelf, white, 110x26 cmLACK wall shelf, white, 110x26 cmALEX drawer unit, white, 36x70 cmALEX drawer unit, white, 36x70 cm

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A room that still feels like home

A hardworking corner does not need to look clinical. Layering in a few personal touches brings warmth back into the space, especially useful in smaller flats where the living room has to serve several purposes at once.

A TIPHEDE rug anchors the seating area underfoot, while a FRÖSET easy chair offers a soft, relaxed spot to sit with a book. A FADO table lamp gives a gentler, more atmospheric light in the evenings, and a FULLTALIG candlestick adds a small, considered detail on a shelf or side table.

A room that still feels like homeA room that still feels like home
TIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, natural/black, 120x180 cmTIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, natural/black, 120x180 cmTIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, black/natural, 155x220 cmTIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, black/natural, 155x220 cmFULLTALIG candlestick, set of 3, blackFULLTALIG candlestick, set of 3, blackFRÖSET easy chair, black stained oak veneer, 59x74x57 cmFRÖSET easy chair, black stained oak veneer, 59x74x57 cmFADO table lamp, white, 25 cmFADO table lamp, white, 25 cmSANDARED pouffe, grey, 56 cmSANDARED pouffe, grey, 56 cm

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Playing with pattern against a neutral base

A simple black and white colour scheme is forgiving to live with and easy to build on over time. It gives a room structure without feeling flat, and leaves plenty of room to introduce colour or pattern later without a full rethink.

A TIPHEDE rug works well here, its graphic design adding movement underfoot while still sitting comfortably within a neutral palette. It is the kind of piece that can shift the whole feel of a room without requiring any other changes at all.

Playing with pattern against a neutral basePlaying with pattern against a neutral base
TIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, natural/black, 120x180 cmTIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, natural/black, 120x180 cmTIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, black/natural, 155x220 cmTIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, black/natural, 155x220 cmRINNIG tea towel, white/dark grey/patterned, 45x60 cm, 4 packRINNIG tea towel, white/dark grey/patterned, 45x60 cm, 4 packINNER cushion pad, white/firm, 50x50 cmINNER cushion pad, white/firm, 50x50 cmLOHALS rug, flatwoven, natural, 200x300 cmLOHALS rug, flatwoven, natural, 200x300 cmFJÄDRAR cushion pad, off-white, 50x50 cmFJÄDRAR cushion pad, off-white, 50x50 cm

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Furniture that moves when you need it to

Fixed furniture arrangements can feel restrictive in smaller rooms, particularly where one space has to adapt to different needs throughout the day. Lightweight, easily shifted pieces make far more sense in this kind of setup.

A TRANHULT shelf or SANDSHULT bracket can hold a lamp or a cup within easy reach of the sofa, without taking up permanent floor space. The FRÖSET easy chair is genuinely light to lift, so it can be pulled closer for conversation or pushed aside when the room needs to open up again.

Furniture that moves when you need it toFurniture that moves when you need it to
TIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, natural/black, 120x180 cmTIPHEDE rug, flatwoven, natural/black, 120x180 cmTRANHULT shelf, aspen, 80x20 cmTRANHULT shelf, aspen, 80x20 cmSANDSHULT bracket, aspen, 18x22 cmSANDSHULT bracket, aspen, 18x22 cmFRÖSET easy chair, black stained oak veneer, 59x74x57 cmFRÖSET easy chair, black stained oak veneer, 59x74x57 cmKALLAX shelving unit, white, 77x147 cmKALLAX shelving unit, white, 77x147 cmBILLY bookcase, white, 40x28x202 cmBILLY bookcase, white, 40x28x202 cm

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Building a bold look from simple pieces

Striking colour pairings look more complicated to achieve than they actually are. The trick lies in mixing different shapes and materials rather than matching everything too closely, which gives a room depth without feeling overdesigned.

A BARLAST floor lamp brings height and a strong silhouette into a corner, while a BURVIK side table offers a low, practical surface nearby. A LAMPAN table lamp adds a smaller, softer light source, and a LINNEBÄCK easy chair rounds out the seating with an inviting, relaxed shape.

RUDSTA glass-door cabinet, anthracite, 80x37x120 cmRUDSTA glass-door cabinet, anthracite, 80x37x120 cmLAMPAN table lamp, white, 29 cmLAMPAN table lamp, white, 29 cmLINNEBÄCK easy chair, Vissle dark grey, 55x72.4x69.5 cmLINNEBÄCK easy chair, Vissle dark grey, 55x72.4x69.5 cmBARLAST floor lamp, black/white, 150 cmBARLAST floor lamp, black/white, 150 cmBURVIK side table, black, 38 cmBURVIK side table, black, 38 cmIKEA PS cabinet, white, 119x63 cmIKEA PS cabinet, white, 119x63 cm

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Small changes to layout and lighting can transform how a living room is used throughout the day. Maltashopper delivers these pieces straight to homes across Malta and Gozo.

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