Home Decor Tips: Furniture Transformations

Many pieces of furniture can serve several functions. With a little imagination, you can transform your furniture and use it in a completely different way to serve a different purpose. When you are done reading this column, it is my hope that you will re-examine any furniture that you are not currently using and give it new life!

Home Decor Tips: Furniture Transformations 

From Baby to Books
When we prepare for our first child, our first impulse often is to purchase an entire baby layette. One particular piece in the layette that has a very short life span is the baby’s changing table. Once the changing table is no longer being used we wonder, “What am I going to do with this piece of furniture now?” Take heart — you did not waste your money! Changing tables can stay in the nursery and serve as terrific toy or book shelf units that are easily accessible to your curious toddler.

Another alternative is to remove the table from the nursery and bring it into the family room or guest bedroom. Changing tables can be painted to coordinate with your room’s color scheme, or you may choose to apply stencils directly onto the table to match the room’s theme. You can fill the table with interesting potted plants and turn it into an adorable plant shelf.

Armed with Entertainment
Armoires are bold and interesting pieces that offer a variety of uses and provide a great deal of storage space. A completely different option for an armoire (instead of the traditional clothing storage) is to use it as an entertainment center for your television/VCR and stereo components. When used in this capacity, the doors may be closed when you aren’t viewing the television, thus helping to prevent accumulation of dust. Also, the armoire becomes the focal point in your room, instead of the television!


Desk Alternatives
Have you ever thought about using that extra sofa table in your living room as a small desk for your first grader who is beginning to get homework on a regular basis? You may need to boost up the chair a tad, but sofa tables can serve as great student desks.
Have you priced full-sized desks lately? The price tags will make you cringe! Large, roomy desks with more than ample space for a computer and all of the components can cost a small fortune. Instead of buying a brand new desk for your home office, consider using a rectangular or oblong dining table. Dining tables are usually quite sturdy and large. They can function perfectly as an executive desk.

Trunk to Table
When I left for college one year, my mother tried to give me an old black trunk that she used to store my clothes. I remember saying to myself, “Why would I ever want that thing?” Trunks have a tremendous number of uses. My personal favorite is to add a large piece of glass to the top to instantly create a unique coffee table.


Rack ‘Em Up
Bakers’ racks are available in wicker, metal, iron, and other fabrications. The most common use for these racks is in the kitchen, to accommodate cookbooks, utensils, and other gadgets. However, they also fit perfectly in the family room where they can showcase treasured family photographs or even pottery. Outside on the patio, they can serve exclusively as decorative plant shelving units.

“Sleeper” Sofa
For newlyweds or young families: instead of purchasing a brand new sofa, consider pushing a twin bed against a long, corner wall. Add several oversized pillows or sofa cushions. This can serve as a temporary “makeshift” sofa until you can afford to spend the money for a brand new sofa.


Divide & Conquer
For families with two or three children but only one large bedroom, consider the use of a decorative folding screen to function as a room divider. Often you can paint the screen, or decorate it to coordinate with the children’s choice of colors, or movie characters. In this way, each child can have his own personal “living” space.

Double Duty
If you don’t own any furniture that you feel can be “transformed” for another use, there is another money-saving option. Several furniture manufacturers are constructing furniture to serve dual purposes. One of my favorites is the extra wide club chair that easily folds out into a twin size bed. This is perfect for a loft or guest room. When your guests depart, just fold the bed back into the comfortable, oversized chair. Remember, if you choose this option, to expect to pay a significantly higher price for the item, because the piece serves dual purposes.

Remember to think creatively before you decide that you have no use for a particular piece of furniture!

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