How I Transformed a Forgotten Playroom Into a Multi-Functional Family Space

When I first stepped into my clients’ playroom, it was clear that it was a space in need of a fresh purpose. The room had served its time as a hub for the kids, with white walls, posters, and toy storage. But as the family had grown, so too had their needs. They needed a space that could evolve into a cosy family snug for movie nights, act as a home office during weekdays and transform into a spare bedroom for guests when required. The challenge would be balancing all these functions in one room while making it stylish, practical, and inviting.

Zoning for Versatility

When designing multi-functional spaces, creating zones is key. Zoning allows you to section off a room for different activities without losing the flow or cohesion of the overall design. For this room, I used a a chaise sofa bed as the anchor for dividing the space.

At the front of the room, the Willow and Hall customisable sofa bed created a cosy area for relaxing and watching TV. But it also served as a practical solution for transforming the snug into a comfortable guest bedroom when needed. The chaise offered storage for bedding and could easily be converted into a bed without rearranging the entire room.

Behind the sofa, I designated the back of the room as a home office zone. This area featured a two-desk workspace that accommodated both adults working from home and children tackling homework or computer games.

A calming and uplifting colour palette

To give the room a new personality, I turned to colour. Neutral walls were swapped for Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle, a soft, muted green that brought an immediate sense of calm and sophistication. Green is a wonderful colour for multi-functional spaces, as it adds interest without feeling too overbearing.

I then brought it accents of blue and terracotta. Blue brought depth and a sense of relaxation, while terracotta added warmth and energy. The combination created a vibrant yet balanced palette that worked equally well for work, rest, and play.

Layering comfort and practicality

No family space is complete without layers of texture to make it feel warm and inviting. I incorporated an area rug in a soft terracotta to define the TV zone and soften the hardwood floors. The velvet sofa worked well with linen, bouclé and embroidered cushions to bring cosiness and tie the colour palette together.

Layered lighting from floor lamps, desk task lamps, table lamps and a ceiling light added ambience and functional lighting which allows the family to adjust the mood of the room depending on the activity—bright and focused for work, soft and ambient for movie nights.

Multi-drawer desks and the client’s own, large sideboard replaced the previous plastic toy storage.

The result: A space that does it all

What was once an uninspiring playroom is now a beautiful, multi-functional space that meets the family’s evolving needs. Whether they’re enjoying a movie together, working from home, or hosting overnight guests, the room effortlessly adapts.

For me, this project was a reminder of the magic that happens when practicality meets creativity. By carefully considering the family’s needs and blending them with thoughtful design, we created a room that truly works—and one that the family genuinely loves spending time in.

If you’re thinking about redesigning a space in your home to serve multiple functions, remember: zoning, colour, and practicality are your best friends. With the right planning and a touch of creativity, any room can become a space that’s beautiful and multifunctional.