Creating a flex room involves designing an area that can serve multiple purposes and adapt to different needs over a day, week, or even years.
Maybe you need to be able to keep an eye on the kids while preparing dinner or maybe you need to find a place to add a home office. Perhaps you want to do more with your guest room when you don’t have guests or add a bar to amp up your weekend evenings.
All of this is possible with a multipurpose space. Here are flex room ideas to help you create a versatile and functional space that can do it all.
Imagine the Possibilities
A multipurpose space, aka multi-use space, aka flex room, is an area that serves multiple functions or activities within a single setting. It’s design for your day-to-day lifestyle.
Instead of being dedicated to a single purpose, such as a traditional living room or a standard office, a multipurpose space is designed to accommodate various needs or activities, often within the same room or area.
This isn’t a new idea. The kitchen and dining room have been a package deal for hundreds of years. Open floor plans are another example of the flex space. Designers have even gotten rid of the dining room altogether in more recent years.
Some common examples of multipurpose spaces include:
- Home office in the living room, dining room, or guest room
- Exercise room that doubles as an entertaining space, playroom, or hobby room
- Craft room that doubles as an office or guest room
- Library combined with guest room or entertainment space
- Playroom in the living room or kitchen
That’s only a few examples of the flex room. The beauty of this kind of space is that you customize it to your needs, so it’s only limited by your imagination.
Assess the Space
Determine the available space you have and its layout. Consider natural lighting, room dimensions, and any architectural elements that might influence the space’s potential.
Don’t get bogged down by the original purpose of the space. Think of it only as a space that should serve your needs. For instance, a large landing at the top of the stairs could be a craft space. Or a laundry room could also be a home office.
One social media influencer did just that in her large laundry room. Alma, @almafied on Instagram, converted her laundry room into a combination home office/mud room/laundry room. See how she did it.
Identify Needs
Think about the different purposes you want the space to serve. It could be an office, a guest room, a workout area, a playroom, or a combination of these functions.
Consider how these needs might change over time. Part of a flex room is making sure it can grow with you over the years. Otherwise, you’ll need a renovation again in a few years.
Flexible Furnishings
Choose furniture that can be easily reconfigured or serves multiple purposes. Examples include foldable desks, sleeper sofas, movable partitions, or storage ottomans that can also act as seating.
Keep furnishings lightweight so they’re easy to move. Choose pieces that can shift focus as you will. A cabinet for toys should be able to easily convert to something that can store exercise equipment or craft supplies.
Modular Storage
In addition to flexible furnishings, be sure to include lots of creative storage options. Install or use modular shelves, bookcases, or cabinets that can be adjusted or moved around to accommodate different functions or items.
Think about your habits as you consider storage. If you tend to have a messy desk, think about getting a desk with plenty of storage or something that can be closed off from view so you can easily convert the space to something else without having to dedicate lots of time to organizing and tidying up.
RTA cabinets are the perfect place to start. With so many possibilities, you can custom create your flex space without a custom price. Consider pantry or tower cabinets for storing tall items. Use our vanity kit builder to create a functional bar in your entertaining space.
Adaptable Décor
To keep your decor relevant over the course of the room’s lifespan, opt for neutral or versatile color schemes and decor that can suit various purposes. Use removable wallpaper, interchangeable art, or versatile textiles that can easily change the room’s ambiance.
If you want décor that can change in just a few minutes, select pieces that can be interchangeable or moved to suit your purpose. For instance, your desk lamp can easily be moved to a sitting area to shift from office by day to living room by night.
Zoning
Create distinct areas within the space for different purposes. This is an especially helpful tactic to use in an open format flex room. You can split up the purposes of the large space with decor or furniture. Use rugs, room dividers, or furniture arrangement to visually separate areas while maintaining an open feel and still get several purposes in one room.
Tech & Connectivity
It’s easy to overlook, but without plenty of electrical outlets, good wifi, and other tech, you’ll soon find your flex space doesn’t flex as much as you want it to. No matter what you want to use the space for, you can be sure work, entertainment, and hobbies need these amenities.
This may mean that you need to do a little more in-depth renovation in your flex space. A handyperson or contractor can easily help you get your room up to snuff.
Flexible Lighting
Use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create different moods and accommodate various activities. Dimmer switches or adjustable fixtures can be beneficial. Lamps are a necessity to get light exactly where it needs to be and can be moved as your space flexes.
Versatile Flooring
Use flooring that’s durable and suitable for various activities. For example, hardwood or laminate flooring can be versatile and easy to clean, suitable for both office and play areas. You can easily add rugs to harder surfaces to zone the space or create a warmer environment.
Remember, the key to a successful flex space is adaptability and versatility. By combining thoughtful design, multifunctional furniture, and smart organization, you can create a space that easily transforms to meet your changing lifestyle and needs.
