Furniture That Works Twice As Hard

Compact homes need furniture that pulls its weight. A bench that stores toys, a trolley that moves where needed, a day bed that doubles as a guest room overnight. Here is how to make every square metre count without cluttering a room.

Storage hiding in plain sight

The BILLY bookcase with foldable table is a neat example of furniture doing more than one job, offering shelving plus a surface that folds away when not needed, which suits smaller rooms where every bit of floor space matters. Pair it with a FJÄDERHARV mini chest with 2 drawers tucked beside it for extra odds and ends, or a VATTENTRÅG box with lid for things you want out of sight.

Finishing touches make these pieces feel considered rather than purely functional. An OLSERÖD side table gives you a spot for a lamp or a cup of tea, while the ELLJUSSPÅR rug, FRIDFULL plant pot and SMYCKA artificial leaf soften the look. A FULLTALIG candlestick adds a small warm detail in the evening.

BILLY bookcase with foldable table, white, 80x33/112x106 cmSMYCKA artificial leaf, eucalyptus/green, 65 cmFULLTALIG candlestick, set of 3, blackFRIDFULL plant pot, water hyacinth, 24 cmFJÄDERHARV mini chest with 2 drawers, anthracite, 16x25 cmVATTENTRÅG box with lid, 32x23x10 cm

Shop Paper & media organisers

Organisers that keep double-duty pieces tidy

Furniture with built-in storage only stays useful if what goes inside it is easy to find. The FJÄDERHARV mini chest with 2 drawers and FJÄDERHARV magazine file are good for papers and small bits and bobs, while a DRÖNA box or KUGGIS box with lid keeps loose items contained on shelves or inside benches.

For family homes, TROFAST storage box and TROFAST mesh storage box make it simple to sort toys, art supplies or sports kit by type, so children can find and put away their own things. Add a TRUMMIS basket for softer items like blankets or cushions, and a FLISAT children's stool gives little ones somewhere to sit while they sort through it all.

FJÄDERHARV mini chest with 2 drawers, white, 32x25 cmFJÄDERHARV magazine file, white, 10x31x25 cmDRÖNA box, blue, 33x38x33 cmTROFAST storage box, white, 42x30x23 cmTROFAST mesh storage box, light green-grey, 42x30x23 cmKUGGIS box with lid, light grey, 26x35x15 cm

Shop Office

A bed that earns its keep all year

A day bed is one of the simplest ways to turn a study, box room or living area into a guest room whenever visitors arrive, which matters in homes where every room needs to pull double duty. Dress it with a SOLFIBBLA duvet cover and pillowcase or a STRANDLUMMER duvet cover and pillowcase for a fresh look, and layer an INDIRA bedspread on top for extra warmth during the cooler winter months.

A TOLKNING bench with storage at the foot of the bed adds somewhere to keep spare linen or cushions, while a LOSHULT trolley is handy for moving drinks or books between rooms. Finish the space with a RAKLEV rug underfoot and a DEKAD alarm clock on the nightstand.

SOLFIBBLA duvet cover and pillowcase, white red/stripe, 150x200/50x80 cmRAKLEV rug, flatwoven, handwoven/natural multicolour, 170x240 cmDEKAD alarm clock, black, 10 cmTOLKNING bench with storage, handmade rattan, 120 cmLOSHULT trolley, pine, 38x38x82 cmINDIRA bedspread, natural/unbleached cotton, 230x250 cm

Shop Bedding

Good double-duty furniture means fewer compromises in a compact home. Browse these pieces on maltashopper.com, with orders delivered to addresses across Malta and Gozo.

More home ideas