Big Style in a Small Space
Interior design moves to steal from this trusted menswear insider.
Storage space is never easy to come by, especially if you're in an apartment or a smaller home. Ideally, we want to keep our place pretty clean and clutter-free. After all, the tidier the space, the bigger it looks right? It's a balance between design and comfort. Meaning you want to be stocked with throw blankets, books and magazines for cozy nights in while also having a place to tuck those aforementioned items away when people come by. Enter double duty furniture, those clever pieces with secret agent-level abilities to conceal and transform. Whether you're outfitting a new place or just looking to create more space in your current home, these five items will help you do just that.
Generously sized with clean lines and a modern finish, the Nordik lounge chair puts a contemporary twist on a classic safari chair style. Plus, it offers a surprising amount of hidden storage under the seat. (Bonus: the entire Nordik line utilizes flat pack construction and can be assembled and disassembled in minutes.)
$300 at Kvell
A new take on one of the brand's most popular tables, the top of this walnut and marble midcentury table opens (thanks to a smooth, pop-up mechanism) to reveal hidden storage and provide a sturdy surface for work or dinner. Under the marble leaf is a cubby for additional storage.
$699 at West Elm
Minimalist with a side of practicality, this floor-length mirror is trimmed in a warm ash wood with easy rounded corners. And tucked behind it is a clever hanging rack. Use it to prepare your clothes for the next morning, to dry damp laundry or to stash the outerwear that has outgrown your closet.
$129 at Ikea
This classic upholstered ottoman is a jack of all trades piece of furniture. Pull it out as extra seating when guests come over, top it with a tray and use it as a side table or simply put your feet up on it. Lift the lid to store blankets and other items. There's even a wood slat shelf below that's perfect for books and magazines.
$90 / $71.99 by Threshold
A sleek bench constructed from solid and sustainable acacia wood that could sit at the end of your bed, under a window or in your entryway. Or use it as a long, lean coffee table. A discreet recessed panel allows you to easily lift the hinged lid to reveal plenty of storage to stash linens, bulky athletic gear and out-of-season clothes.
$649 at CB2
Stealth Furniture is a company that makes ordinary looking furniture that contains hidden compartments for anything you don't want found. But they seem to suggest it's primarily for guns.