“The trend has found staying power as people realize they can more efficiently use their spaces in sustainable ways,” says Cameron Johnson, founder and CEO of Nickson, an apartment-furnishing service. Flex spaces are intended to help your home better accommodate your day-to-day life. Guest bedrooms, for example, can often be reimagined for more frequent and flexible use. “People are realizing that an entire room in their home dedicated to an occasional houseguest may not be the best use of space—a commodity that has become decidedly more precious,” says Los Angeles designer Stefani Stein. To maximize function within your home’s existing floor plan, follow these tips for creating a flex space that works with your lifestyle.
1. Think outside a room’s assigned function.
Consider your home’s least-used spaces, such as a formal dining room, breakfast nook, sitting room, or extra closet, and how to better use them with flex space ideas. Your home’s builder might have intended the room for a specific purpose, but feel free to readjust if that doesn’t align with your everyday priorities. “Nothing is off-limits for reimagining how a space can be used,” says interior designer Shaolin Low of the Honolulu-based Studio Shaolin. A flex space should be designed around the activities that will take place there, such as working, exercising, doing homework, and more. “People are surprised by how cohesive they can make a space if they start from ‘What should the space facilitate?’ versus ‘What is supposed to be in this room?’” Johnson says.
2. Consider your long-term needs.
As you consider flex space ideas, think about how your needs might change as time goes on and plan for changes, Low suggests. “If you have young children at home, think about how it will be utilized as they grow up. If you will host a lot of family or guests in the future, think about how you’ll accommodate,” she says. Opt for lightweight, easy-to-move furniture so you can rearrange as needed. “When it comes to exercise, consider alternatives to large and bulky equipment such as tension bands,” says Tiffany Piotrowski of Tiffany Leigh Design. “These can be kept in a decorative bin or basket and still provide a full-body workout.”
3. Plan for storage.
Incorporate plenty of storage into your flex room to manage clutter and maximize space. “Add storage that can be closed off—cabinets with doors to hide messes and contain all the items necessary for whatever activities will be taking place in the room,” says Austin-based interior designer Killy Scheer. Choose furniture or containers that can stylishly and efficiently accommodate your storage needs, whether for workout gear, office supplies, toys, or other items.
4. Compartmentalize the flex space.
If your flex space will serve multiple functions, section off areas of the room for each need suggests Pramiti Bhargava of BlueGrape, a San Diego staging company. For example, designate one corner for a home office and use the other side of the room as a workout space. Room dividers or shelving units can serve as physical barriers that separate the area and offer added privacy. For a visual cue, lay down rugs or paint an accent wall to specify different sections.
5. Use flexible furniture.
“If you want to have a multi-purpose space, you need to have multi-purpose furniture,” Low says. Outfit your room with pieces that can transform to suit different needs or activities. Look for nesting furniture that can be stacked or separated, tables with extendable leaves or fold-down mechanisms, and armoires that can open up to reveal a workspace suggests Scheer. Just be sure to measure the room carefully before purchasing furniture.
6. Reflect your personality.
Customize your flex space to suit your style. For example, use it as an opportunity to go bold with a dramatic paint color or patterned wallpaper. Or tailor it to a particular hobby or interest. “There are so many creative ways to utilize extra space, so take it as an opportunity to showcase your personality and passions,” Bhargava says.
