5 Furniture Pieces That Work in Any Room, According to Designers

Even if a piece of furniture has a primary purpose, that doesn't mean it's intended for just one room. Being creative in how you arrange your furniture and how you use it will give your rooms multiple purposes and make your investment in these pieces even more worthwhile.

We spoke to three designers who told us all about their favorite multifunctional furniture pieces; You'll have plenty of ideas to try out in your own living space to get the most out of the furniture you buy.

Padded benches

Upholstered benches add so much life to any room, whether it's a living room, bedroom or entryway.

“The piece that moves the most in my home is a humble little upholstered bench,” says furniture expert Victoria Lott. “Not only does it offer a little more storage space in the seat, it's also mostly located at the foot of my bed – a great place to perch when I put shoes on, and I'm not going to lie – there's often a pile of clothes on top of it.”

However, its possible uses are not yet exhausted. Lott also points out that these benches work wonders as additional seating for dinner parties or movie nights. They're also handy for entryways or when you need an extra step up to reach closets, cupboards or high shelves in closets.

Designer Tyka Pryde Edwards adds that you can also place a bench at the end of a bed as an accent, or use a larger version with a tray on top as a coffee table.

Want more design inspiration? Register with us for free daily newsletter for the latest decorating ideas, designer tips and more!

Accent chairs

Don't let the “accent” in “accent chair” fool you into thinking that this style of seating is only for adding flair to a room. Edwards points out that it is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture available.

“It's functional art that can be used in a living room as a statement seat, in a bedroom as a dressing chair, in an entryway to create a moment of form and texture, or even in a bathroom next to a bathtub for a touch of luxury,” says Edwards.

These chairs can also be attached to the ends of dining room tables if you need more seating, or you can place one in a corner or hallway for more functionality.

Dresser

“Credenzas can serve as a TV console, dining room buffet, storage in a bedroom, or storage in a library/living room,” says designer Sarah Hart. “This type of piece is so versatile. Bonus points if it's vintage – then it will really stand the test of time!”

She adds that she would always recommend investing money in a piece like this and opting for a larger size for versatility alone (she says a 6- to 7-foot width is ideal for most rooms).

You can also incorporate a credenza as storage for your library or reading nook, or use it as a TV console in media rooms or guest rooms. Larger entryways and dining rooms also lend themselves to credenzas and similar larger units. They offer you a generous table surface and plenty of storage space inside.

Vintage dining chairs and tables

As a self-proclaimed chair collector, Hart emphasizes how much vintage chairs can add to the rooms around your home, not just the dining room.

“They can be used as an office chair, an accent seat, a dining chair, and extra seating when you have guests over—much better and much more elevated than folding chairs,” she says.

In addition to its functional utility, a unique chair you discover at a vintage store can also easily become a statement piece in your home, liven up a bare corner, or serve as an additional storage piece for your bedroom. Their dining table counterparts are also furniture chameleons.

“A vintage dining table can stand the test of time and be used as a real dining table, stand in the middle of a kitchen as a work-island-meets-table, or function as a desk in an office,” she says.

Side tables and stools

Two other pieces of furniture that give you endless possibilities are a side table and its cousin, the stool. You can place and use these in almost any room in your home, be it for storing decorative items or storing items.

“A marble or wooden base can hold a drink, a plant, or a stack of books,” says Edwards. “You can float anywhere next to a sofa, next to the bathtub, or in a hallway to ground a vignette.”

Ultimately, most pieces of furniture can be reused in different environments as long as their design holds up.

“The key to versatility is simplicity of form and honesty of materials. If something is beautiful and well-made, it belongs anywhere,” says Edwards.