Expert Tips for Choosing Flexible Furniture
To earn a place in today's busy homes, furniture needs to look good and work hard. Interior designer Elaine Griffin makes her picks for stylish furniture that has multiple uses, smart storage, clever functionality -- or all of the above.
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It makes a handsome desk -- the center drawer has a drop front for easy keyboard access -- but its overall slim proportions mean this table works in lots of places. "I'd love it stationed behind a sofa or in a foyer. You could drop your keys and sunglasses in the drawer," Elaine says. "The limed oak finish isn't one you see every day, so this one gets bonus style points."
Forecast console desk, $799; pennsylvaniahouse.com
"I love this nightstand," Elaine says. "It's clean and streamlined enough to go with any decorating style."
Urban Dwellings nightstand, $1,279; drexelheritage.com
This sleek nightstand is also functional. "It's got built-in plug-ins and a charging station in the top drawer, so you can have 'command central' right at your bedside," Interior Designer Elaine Griffin says.
Urban Dwellings nightstand, $1,279; drexelheritage.com
"Just unfold the leaves on this handsome table and its seating capacity doubles," Elaine says. "That means you'll never have to remember where you stashed the table leaves again."
Bryson Expandable Top Counter Table, $849; broyhillfurniture.com
"If you live in a space-challenged house, this is a great option for you," Interior Designer Elaine Griffin says. "Finally, you can have a dinner party for eight. Plus, the rustic finish and sculptural shape make it look more expensive than it is."
Bryson Expandable Top Counter Table, $849; broyhillfurniture.com
"This is the solution for 'I don't want a TV in my bedroom,'" Elaine says. "The frame holds a mid-size flat-screen TV, and when the TV is turned off, it's a mirror. When it's cleverly camouflaged like this, your TV doesn't have to ruin your fabulous decor."
Double Vision TV mirror, $545; kincaidfurniture.com
The sleek lines of the frame and dresser add elegance to any room.
Double Vision TV mirror, $545; kincaidfurniture.com
"Who's the fairest of them all? This diminutive little desk is," Interior Designer Elaine Griffin says. "Most desks are 3x5; this one is only 2x4 so it's perfect for a bedroom. Pop the center panel up to reveal a mirror or a corkboard and a drop-front compartment for a laptop. There are cutouts in the back for cords, too."
Brighton Vanity-Desk, $300; crateandbarrel.com
"This is the jack of all tables," Interior Designer Elaine Griffin says. "Not only does it have clever storage for just about anything you could possibly imagine -- gift wrap, computer stuff, crafts, office supplies -- but if you wheel the chests out from under the table and add barstools, it could be a perfect mini counter-height dining table. The concrete countertop is practically indestructible, so this table would work well as a potting bench or outdoor sideboard."
Project table, $2,599 as shown; schnadig.com
"How genius is this? Roll-out shelves that hide away behind the headboard, giving you his-and-hers storage," Elaine says. "Store books, lotions, remotes, whatever else you need bedside, either on the hidden shelves or on the flat top."
Malm queen headboard, $199; Malm queen bed frame, $199; ikea.com
"This works anywhere you need a little table -- for toiletries and towels in the bathroom, as a nightstand, in a home office as a printer table with storage for supplies below," Elaine says. "This one takes its style cues from what sits on top of it, either modern or traditional. And it looks great from all directions, so you could put either the long or short side against a wall or float it out from the wall."
Piccolo server, $262; simplytraytables.com
"This one gets the gold medal for smart storage," Interior Designer Elaine Griffin says. It has a big drop-front compartment for platters plus a pullout panel with a dowel for hanging table linens. And just imagine its potential in a home office. "You could stash supplies in all the little drawers and cover the glass doors with beautiful fabric or paper. It would give you a huge amount of storage space."
Better Homes and Gardens Present Tense storage cabinet, $1,800; bhgfurniture.com
"It's the little chair that could. It's perfect at the dining table, of course, but also at a desk, because those office chairs on wheels are usually not so pretty," Elaine says. Or use it in the bedroom if you want a perch for putting on shoes but don't have space for a larger upholstered armchair.
Curved upholstered chair, $199; westelm.com
Instead of shoving a bulky file cabinet in your closet, why not park one of these in your living room? It holds standard-size hanging files, and the casters make it easy to move. Choose from more than 100 fabrics.
File storage ottoman, $299-$459; ballarddesigns.com
The top slides open so you can get at what's stored inside without disturbing your tabletop display. Keep throws or Wii accessories in the top compartment and board games in the bottom drawer. "Or try it at the foot of the bed for sweaters," Interior Designer Elaine Griffin says. "It's cedar-lined. Isn't that thoughtful?"
Chatham storage cocktail table, $499; lanefurniture.com
The drawers slide open to reveal all your living room essentials. Keep throws or Wii accessories in the top compartment and board games in the bottom drawer.
Chatham storage cocktail table, $499; lanefurniture.com
"These babies come in six colors. I promise there's one for you," Elaine says. At 18 inches cubed, they're perfect next to a sofa or chair. Pull four together for a generous coffee table. Or stack them into sleek, streamlined towers for showing off your stuff. The simple design goes with any decorating style.
Mimic cube, $80 each; crateandbarrel.com
The futon grows up and gets better-looking! This sofa pulls out to become a full-size bed. "I love the clean lines and linen-look fabric (there are seven colors of slipcovers to choose from)," Elaine says. "But the best part -- and this is genius -- is that the arms zip open to store pillows and bedding, so you're always ready for an overnight guest."
Kivik sofa bed, $949; ikea.com
When open, the full-size bed is the perfect spot for houseguests.
Kivik sofa bed, $949; ikea.com
"If you're one of those people who uses the dining table as a desk, this one's for you," Interior Designer Elaine Griffin says. The tabletop slides open to reveal two storage cubbies with dividers. Use one for office supplies and the other for silverware, napkins, and rings. The table's clean lines mean you can pair it with any style of chair.
Perspectives dining table, $899; broyhillfurniture.com
One storage cubby holds dining essentials. The dividers are perfect for separating silverware and other small items.
Perspectives dining table, $899; broyhillfurniture.com
The other cubby houses office supplies. With this dining table you are always prepared no matter what the occasion.
Perspectives dining table, $899; broyhillfurniture.com
"How smart is this? Each person takes a slice of the pie to sit on," Interior Designer Elaine Griffin says. "Or put them all together and add a big tray for a coffee table that's super practical, especially if it's upholstered in leather or outdoor fabric."
Wedge ottoman, $568 per wedge; leeindustries.com
Thank you for giving us source information, if an item is out of my price range, my husband can usually build something similiar, but that sleeper is about the price norm anywhere you look.
1/19/2011 12:34:38 PM Report AbuseUgh, I don't want command central by my bedside. I charge stuff at my desk. This is bad feng shui!
1/19/2011 12:16:48 PM Report AbuseI could probably write an article on this myself. I live in a mobile home and have learned many tricks on this subject!!! Would you like to know where I hide my mop and bucket?
1/19/2011 11:43:30 AM Report AbuseOMG who pays this much for furniture?!? The look of most of these pieces can be found for $5 of Craigslist...
1/19/2011 11:35:01 AM Report Abusethe flowers u sell to wal mart store are they on line because i am disabled and does not get out often and by the time i get to wal maet they are all gone they are beautiful flowers
1/19/2011 10:25:07 AM Report Abuse