Room to Grow: Making a Blended Family Home Work

A bigger household means rethinking every room so it earns its keep. From a living room that welcomes everyone to a teenager's first proper private corner, here is how one home made space for a full and busy family life.

A living room that puts people first

Large windows make all the difference in a Maltese sitting room, filling the space with natural light that plants thrive on and that keeps the whole room feeling open rather than closed in. It becomes the sort of place where someone can curl up alone with a book, or where everyone piles in for a board game around the coffee table.

A STOCKHOLM coffee table anchors the seating area, with a STOCKHOLM nest of tables nearby for extra surface when it is needed. A STOCKHOLM rug softens the floor underfoot, a DYTÅG cushion cover adds a bit of personality to the sofa, and a MÅLA whiteboard pen keeps younger family members happily occupied.

STOCKHOLM nest of tables, set of 2, walnut veneer, 72x47 cmMÅLA whiteboard pen, mixed colours, 4 packSTOCKHOLM rug, flatwoven, handmade/striped black/off-white, 250x350 cmSTOCKHOLM coffee table, walnut veneer, 180x59 cmDYTÅG cushion cover, red-brown, 50x50 cmGLADOM tray table, black, 45x53 cm

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Walls that tell a shared story

When two households merge into one, so do two art collections, and the result can be far more interesting than either alone. A gallery wall of mismatched frames in the living room becomes a quiet record of two different pasts settling into one shared space.

An EDSBRUK frame suits a growing picture wall, while a BJÖRKÖVIKEN door adds character to a cabinet nearby. For the youngest members of the household, a MAMMUT children's stool and a FLISAT children's stool bring a bit of their own scale and colour into rooms that are otherwise built for adults.

MAMMUT children's stool, in/outdoor/yellow, 35 cmEDSBRUK frame, black stained, 50x70 cmBJÖRKÖVIKEN door, brown stained oak veneer, 60x64 cmFLISAT children's stool, pine, 32 cmBÄNKKAMRAT bench pad, dot pattern, 90x50x3 cmFÖRSIKTIG children's stool, white/turquoise, 37x13x24 cm

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Room enough for everyone at the table

In a busy household, two things are guaranteed: big appetites and plenty of noise. Meeting both takes a table with real presence, one that can handle a long Sunday brunch, a round of Trivial Pursuit, or an impromptu dinner with neighbours who have dropped by.

A SKOGSTA dining table gives everyone a seat, paired with an AGAM junior chair for smaller diners and a YNGVAR chair for the rest. A SKURUP pendant lamp hangs low over the table for evening meals, while a KUTTERSMYCKE wall clock and an IDÅSEN cabinet with sliding glass doors keep the room organised without feeling cluttered.

SKOGSTA dining table, acacia/black, 235x100 cmAGAM junior chair, black, 41x79x43 cmSKURUP pendant lamp, black, 38 cmIDÅSEN cabinet with sliding glass doors, dark grey, 120x140 cmKUTTERSMYCKE wall clock, black, 46 cmYNGVAR chair, anthracite, 53x71x51 cm

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A kitchen built for many hands

A spacious kitchen was non negotiable for this family, and it shows. Deep cabinets and drawers hold the bulk of the cooking gear, while hooks and rails keep everyday utensils and small items within easy reach, adding warmth as much as practicality. Older children pitch in when asked, and the youngest two are just as happy pushing a trolley loaded with felt tip pens and paper around the kitchen floor.

A HÖVOLM rack with 6 knobs keeps aprons and tea towels close at hand, while an OMBONAD plate and OMBONAD bowl are joined on the table by a KORKEN jar with lid, an IKEA 365+ carafe with stopper and a LÄTTAD place mat. A HEKTAR pendant lamp lights the whole scene from above, and a RÖRT spoon is never far from the stove.

HÖVOLM rack with 6 knobs, oak, 57x5x5 cmRÖRT spoon, round/beechOMBONAD plate, dark grey, 26 cm, 2 packOMBONAD bowl, dark grey, 15 cm, 2 packKORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 13 cl, 3 packIKEA 365+ carafe with stopper, clear glass/cork, 1 l

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Sleep comes first for busy parents

Looking after four children and running a household leaves little room for error, which makes a good night's sleep essential rather than a luxury. A darker colour palette in the bedroom helps the mind switch off, while a private desk and ensuite bathroom let both parents ease into the day before the rest of the house stirs.

An IDANÄS bed frame sets a calm, grounded tone for the room, with a LINDBYN mirror and LINDBYN table mirror nearby for getting ready. A HULTARP rail and HULTARP hook keep small items tidy, an ALEFJÄLL office chair makes the desk comfortable for early starts, and a FORSÅ work lamp lights the page without disturbing anyone still asleep.

LINDBYN mirror, black, 60x120 cmIDANÄS bed frame, dark brown stained, 160x200 cmHULTARP rail, black, 60 cmHULTARP hook, black, 7 cm, 5 packLINDBYN table mirror, black, 14x27 cmALEFJÄLL office chair, Glose black, 64 cm

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A teenager's own corner of the house

The moment adolescence arrives, the need for a proper personal space follows close behind. This room covers what matters most at that age: privacy, a spot for creative hobbies, somewhere to get homework done, and above all a wardrobe generous enough to be picked over for hours before a night out with friends.

An EKET cabinet and EKET cabinet with 2 drawers combine to make flexible, wall mounted storage that will not eat into the floor space. An ALEX desk gives homework and hobbies a proper home, a HEKTAR wall/clamp spotlight directs light exactly where it is needed, and a VRIGSTAD mirror makes the daily outfit decision a little easier.

EKET cabinet, dark grey, 35x25x35 cmALEX desk, white, 132x58 cmEKET cabinet with 2 drawers, dark grey, 35x35x35 cmHEKTAR wall/clamp spotlight, dark grey, 11 cmVRIGSTAD mirror, sedge, 63 cmMALM dressing table, white, 120x41 cm

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Furnishing a home for a full household takes patience and the right pieces for each room. Browse these ranges at maltashopper.com, with orders delivered to addresses across Malta and Gozo.

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