The day you thought you would never see has come, your kids have flown the coop. Whether they have moved into a university dorm room, found their first apartment with roommates, or moved to a new city for a new job, watching them leave home can elicit mixed emotions. Regardless of whether their leaving is bitter or sweet for you, consider it an opportunity, a new chapter of life for both of you. Your home may be quieter, it might feel slightly more empty, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. You can reclaim your space and make it work for you. Look to your future, how will your home cater to your new-found independence?

The obvious place to begin is your kid’s room. While you will want to accommodate them when they visit, you may also want to use that space. A great option is a dual purpose room — a room that will allow you to welcome them home while satisfying your own daily needs.

Start with a sofa bed

Decor-Rest offers a simple and stylish option with a premium memory foam gel mattress. What’s more, Decor-Rest lets you customize your sofa bed by choosing from a wide range of high-quality fabrics – keep it simple with a solid colour or go bold with texture or pattern. Your guests will sleep like babies and you will have a stylish and functional new addition to your dual-purpose room.

Your best-kept secret

Okay, you’ve got a sofa bed, but you where do you put the extra blankets and pillows when the bed is not in use? What do you do when you’re ready to put your feet up at the end of the day? The answer is a storage ottoman. Palliser and Decor-Rest both offer great options. For a traditional look, select the same fabric as your sofa, or for an eclectic approach, choose a complementary pattern. Either way, you’ve achieved style, practicality, and comfort in a single piece of furniture.

Find your second purpose

Yes, a dual-purpose room needs a second purpose! There are many ways to go, so take time to reflect on what works best for you. A popular option is a home office and this is easily achievable. 

Smitty’s carries a variety of desks that serve different functions. Consider Durham Furniture’s Writing/Makeup Desk or the more rustic looking Distillery Writing Desk, both are simple tables with drawers that will serve a variety of purposes for you and your guests. In a dual-purpose room, multi-purpose furniture is your friend. 

Regardless of what you choose to do with your new-found space and freedom, Smitty’s professional home decorators are ready to provide the solutions you need. Come visit one of our Ontario locations to explore your options.