One Small Room Doing Every Job

Many homes across Malta make do with one room that has to sleep, work, cook and entertain all at once. Here is how a handful of clever, compact pieces can make that room feel calm rather than crowded.

A dining corner that clears away in seconds

When a table doubles as a desk, dining spot and occasional work surface, lightweight furniture earns its keep. A simple table paired with stackable chairs can be pushed to one side the moment the meal is over, freeing the floor for whatever comes next. Underneath, a rolling drawer unit such as IDÅSEN keeps paperwork and work accessories tidy and completely out of sight once the working day ends, so the same square metre can shift from office to dining room without any fuss.

IDÅSEN drawer unit on castors, dark grey, 42x61 cmIDÅSEN drawer unit on castors, golden-brown, 42x61 cmIDÅSEN desk, black/dark grey, 160x80 cmIDÅSEN desk, black/dark grey, 120x70 cmIDÅSEN desk sit/stand, brown/dark grey, 120x70 cmIDÅSEN desk sit/stand, black/dark grey, 160x80 cm

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Extra seats that tuck away when not needed

Spare seating is useful right up until it gets in the way, which is why a stackable, knitted pouffe like SANDARED earns its place in a multi-purpose room. It works as an extra footstool for an evening in front of the television, a side table for a cup of tea, or additional seating when friends drop by. A trio of KYRRE stools does a similar job around a small table, their triangular birch seats and curved legs stacking neatly together when the room needs to breathe.

KYRRE stool, birch, 42x45x48 cmKYRRE stool, set of 2, birchKYRRE stool, off-white, 42x45x48 cmKYRRE stool, green, 42x45x48 cm

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Kitchen storage that rolls where you need it

In a room where the kitchen sits close to everything else, extra worktop space matters as much as extra storage. A wooden trolley on castors can sit flush against the counter as a continuation of the worktop, then roll away to hold pots, pans and utensils when space is tight. A small wire-and-wood basket is handy for corralling cutlery, napkins or odds and ends on the table, light enough to carry wherever it is needed and easy to tuck into a cupboard afterwards.

BEKVÄM step stool, white, 50 cmBEKVÄM step stool, beech, 63 cmBEKVÄM step stool, black, 63 cmBEKVÄM kitchen trolley, beech, 58x50 cmBEKVÄM step stool, beech, 50 cmBEKVÄM spice rack, aspen, 40x9x10 cm

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A bed that also divides the room

Giving up a proper double bed for a sofa bed feels like the sensible choice in a small space, but it is not the only option. The MALM bed frame can have its headboard placed at the foot end instead, and turned a full 180 degrees it becomes a low room divider, screening off a sleeping area from the rest of the room. Nearby, tall wall shelves and a glass-fronted cabinet such as MILSBO lift storage up off the floor, keeping display items and everyday clutter within reach without eating into precious floorspace.

MALM dressing table, white, 120x41 cmMALM desk, white, 140x65 cmMALM chest of 4 drawers, high-gloss white, 80x100 cmMALM ottoman bed, white, 160x200 cmMALM bed storage box for high bed frame, white, 200 cm, 2 pack

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Maltashopper brings these space-saving pieces to homes across Malta and Gozo, ready to help one small room earn its many job titles.

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