Room Tour: A Pretty, Practical (and Multitasking!) Study
See how this unique room serves as three different spaces for a family of five.
Ashley and Jamin Mills have big plans for their 1976 fixer-upper. But until they can make the major upgrades like finishing a basement and constructing a master addition, the pair has had to figure out how to best utilize what little space they have. One solution? Transforming rooms like their spare bedroom into hardworking, multifunctional spaces. “We needed to be meticulous with how we put every single inch of the room to use,” The Handmade Home bloggers explain of their new office/kids’ homework space/quasi-playroom. With every corner accounted for, the couple managed to create a space that not only served their myriad of must-haves, but remained easy on the eyes, too. Scroll on to see how they created this triple-threat of a room.
How would you describe your décor style?
Because our style is constantly evolving, we always struggle with how to put our finger on it. In the past, we’ve been described as ‘eclectic farmhouse goes to the carnival’—I think that suits us more than anything else for now. We love inviting, real spaces that have a story to tell.
Describe this room in three words.
Intentional gathering place.
This is a multifunctional room. What are all the ways it’s currently being utilized?
We use it as a home studio for our business. It also serves as a homework and project space for our kids, and it moonlights as a reading retreat and Lego sanctuary at night. Basically, you name it, and it serves that purpose.
How did you go about designing a room that would serve so many different purposes?
There are five of us living in a 1700-square-foot remodel, including two large dogs, so we needed to be strategic with our planning. Because of this, our new house doesn’t feel small, even though we downsized significantly since our last home. We eventually hope to expand, but for now we knew we needed a highly functional gathering place.
How do you keep everything neat and organized?
We try our best to keep items corralled in baskets, but it takes teamwork to keep everything neat. We also strive to keep things off the floor when not in use. It may sound silly, but it’s the little things.
What’s your favorite piece in the room?
The rug—it anchors the space, and adds tons of character. The bookcase is also key to helping us organize everything from textbooks to art supplies. It’s an attractive sanity-saver.
This room has a lot of character. Any advice for those looking to inject some personality into their own space?
We believe in a happy mix of new pieces, blended with vintage and handmade items. It’s all about striking the balance that makes you happy. Additionally, the kids contributed their artwork, and it really made the room feel like our own despite being in a new home. It’s amazing what a little structure and personality can do for a space.
