House & Garden magazine
Space Mission
From hidden storage to clever multi-use pieces, here’s how to make the very best use of the room you have.
In this Sydney home, designed by Studio Kate, joinery turns under-stair space into storage and a timber chest does double-duty as seating.
- Bench seat upholstered in fabric from Westbury Textiles.
- Living Divani ‘Galileo’ mirror, Space.
- CTO Lighting ‘Array’ twin wall light, Spence & Lyda.
Words & Styling Kate Nixon
Photography Maree Homer
In the wonderful world of interiors, space is an enigmatic commodity. No matter how much of it you have, it never seems to be enough. As we strive to squeeze every inch out of our homes with effortlessly chic storage and space-saving solutions, the bar continues to rise with clever, flexible items. For example, there are stylish wall systems that will work as a bookcase, sideboard, desk or room divider, or any combination of these things. Meanwhile, modular sofas can be another great, multi-tasking piece of furniture: the ultimate expression of this is the Jasper sofa from King, which can be turned into a bed with hidden storage, built-in side tables, optional wireless charging and a media console complete with Sonos speaker brackets and an LED reading lamp. Proving that every great design challenge ends with an innovative solution.
King’s Vertio modular wall system performs beautifully as a room divider, display cabinet and storage unit – and much more.
Design Smarts
- Introduced in 2003, the award-winning Jasper from King has modular components that can be arranged into numerous configurations – it’s a sofa, bed, side table and a bookshelf rolled into one.
- Winner of a 2021 Good Design Award, King’s Vertio system can be mounted on a wall or compression mounted between the floor and ceiling. If mounted floor to ceiling, it can also be used as a room divider (as pictured above). The Vertio can be mounted with minimal disturbance and is ideal to use in rental properties.
Jasper Package 7 from King is a three-seater sofa with twin chaise lounges and three built-in timber shelves.
Fresh Ideas & Easy Updates
- Modulars with storage for spare bedlinen make fabulous sofa beds.
- Integrated lighting in sofas and beds is cord-free and saves space.
- Your desk can do double duty as a bedside table.
- Use a floor lamp as a bedside light in a small space with only one bedside table.
- Multiple seating areas in a living space gives great flexibility. Under-seat storage is always useful.
- A simple bench can act as additional seating in an entryway, living area, bedroom or hall.
- Place platters on tables or sideboards to free up cupboard space and display favourite pieces.
- Install shelves with hooks for hats, bags and keys.
In this Studio Kate project, custom joinery provides extra seating by the window as well as storage and display units. ‘Tree Spirit’ plant sculpture by Tracey Deep and ‘Heaviness is Sweet’ artwork by Mark Hislop from Wagner Contemporary. Keely sofa, Fanuli.
Left, Delta Platform Crescent table, King.
Right, Industrial Storage pop-up coffee table, West Elm.
Source Book
- Try Cube and Circle for clever Scandinavian furniture and lighting with functional flexibility and slick designs. cubencircle.com.au
- BoConcept’s customised Nordic pieces are modular and fabulously functional. boconcept.com
- Coco Republic offers a range of storage solutions. cocorepublic.com.au
- To keep both home and office organised, look to Blu Dot. bludot.com.au
- Contents International Design has a curated collection of local and international furniture. contentsid.com.au
- Try Provincial Home Living for classic cabinets in earthy palettes. provincialhomeliving.com.au
- For a touch of designer know-how, take a look at what’s in store at Space. spacefurniture.com.au
Hardworking Heroes
Whether it’s storage or extra functionality, these clever pieces will have you sorted.
1 ETO desk with charging table and smart light, King.
2 Chiva coffee table with storage, BoConcept.
3 ArtissIn mesh door storage cabinet, Harvey Norman.
4 LaForma ‘Nostalgic’ coat rack with mirror, LaGrand.
5 Puck side table, Fanuli.
6 Frank ottoman, from Contents International Design.
7 Libri standing table/desk, Skandium.
