Guest Picks: Versatile Furnishings to Make the Move With You

I was recently asked to design a living room for a couple and their beloved dog. The challenge? The room and all of its contents had to be portable and versatile, as the family lives a nomadic military lifestyle, moving every year or so. It was necessary for the items to work in many different contexts and be multipurpose.

The idea of designing a room that could be packed up and moved to a different house and work just as well there was new to me. I tried not to focus so much on my clients' current space, but on the way different pieces work with and around other pieces. It was a fun challenge, and I thought it might be helpful for others to see an ideabook addressing the same concept. Below you will find great versatile pieces that work just about anywhere. — Dana from House Tweaking

Hourglass Metal Drum Table - $139.99 » A round accent table can be placed next to a sofa, chair or bed to soften straight lines. The petite size of this one makes it perfect for slipping into corners. Use it to hold drinks, books, plants and more.


Mudhut Turned Floor Lamp, Brown - $79.99 » Floor lamps are a great way to add task and ambient lighting to almost any space without needing a flat table surface (as with table lamps) or ceiling electrical boxes (as with pendants). Use them to brighten up a corner of a room or to create an inviting reading spot.


Handwoven Sahara Bouclé Weave Jute Rug - $581.99 » When in rug doubt, go for a high-quality chunky jute. It adds softness and texture and can work with many design aesthetics.


Sapien Bookcase - $198 » The book tower is a clever, space-saving way to store and display books in a variety of rooms.


Grundtal Mirror - $34.99 » A no-fuss round mirror is perfect for the bathroom, living room, entry or bedroom. Mixing circles into your decor is a great way to soften hard lines and create focal points.


Denim Pouf - $249 » I have two floor poufs similar to this one, and they get moved around the house all the time. From playroom to living room, these poufs have already paid for themselves.

My older kids play (read: jump) on them by day and lay on them by night for the perfect movie-watching seat. My toddler enjoys climbing up and sitting on them. And I don't have to worry about her getting hurt because the poufs are soft, have no sharp corners and are close to the ground.

Even adults get in on the pouf action: I use them as footstools and extra seating. We don't have any pets, but I think these poufs would make handsome dog/cat beds as well. They are so, so good.


Arteriors Gwenieve Wood and Glass Cocktail Table - $624 » A modestly sized round coffee table works with many different furniture arrangements. The absence of corners makes it easy to slip around, and the glass top gives it a visual lightness that makes it perfect for smaller spaces.


Jackson Sofa, Ink Blue Performance Velvet - $1,599 » A high-performance velvet sofa with modern lines would be just as appropriate in a dressy sitting room as it would be in a casual family room full of kids and pets. Navy is what I like to call a "colorful neutral" and it works with any color palette.


Andalucia Creme Leather Bench - $129.99 » Benches are multipurpose. I like them in front of fireplaces, at the foot of a bed, mixed in with dining seating and in entryways. Go neutral so that you can move them about to suit your needs.


Koldby Cowhide, Brown/White - $199 » If you're having trouble choosing the perfectly sized rug for a space, consider a cowhide. It can be positioned in different ways to accommodate various furniture layouts.


Solid Velvet-on-velvet Pillow Cover by Diana Massiel Estrada - $95 » Use a solid velvet pillow in a saturated hue to add luxury and color to any room.


Elton Bookcase - $2,099 » Use a simple open shelving unit in an office, library, family room, den or playroom. From books to worldly souvenirs to toys, this piece is a long-lived workhorse and is worth every penny.


Format Orange Tray - $39.95 » Trays have a way of corralling tabletop decor like nothing else can. Put a few random items inside, and suddenly they make sense together! Have fun with it and choose a vibrant hue for a colorful accent.


Eivor Throw - $19.99 » Throw a graphic black and white blanket onto the back of a sofa or foot of a bed for a pattern pop. Stripes work everywhere and with all kinds of other patterns.


Essex Chair - $459.99 » An accent chair with a rounded back and rolled arms fits into tight spots or holds its own in a floating seating arrangement. The leather upholstery is kid-friendly, pet-friendly, spill-friendly and only gets better with age. Place it next to a fireplace for a cozy seat. Angle it into a corner of a bedroom. Use it across from a desk in your office. So many options!


Harbour Point 19-inch-wide Liberty Gold Ceiling Light - $239.91 » This is a brass ceiling light that would look just as good in a bedroom as it would in a living room. The semi-flush mount makes it ideal for standard-height ceilings, yet the classic design wouldn't get lost on higher ceilings. If you're renting, you can even take it with you when you leave.


Antique Handmade Wood Bowl by Vintage Linen Treasure - $74.99 » Large wood bowls can hold mail, keys, wallet contents, remotes, fruit, Christmas cards, magazines, yada, yada, yada. You get the point. Use them in entryways, on desks and coffee tables, or on the kitchen island — wherever piles of clutter tend to gather.


Hand-painted Rustic Deer Antler, Gold and Mint by Wild Little Gypsy - $59 » A naturally shed deer antler placed on a table or shelf gives a rustic, organic look. Get crafty and paint on shimmery or colorful details.


Large Curved Basket - $54 » A large floor basket with handles can hold kid paraphernalia, dog toys, newspapers, glossies, shoes and more. Use it as a catchall and fill it up during the day, then empty it out at night to keep everything in its proper place.


Liberty 27-inch Decorative Architectural Rail/Rack with 5 Architectural Hooks - $26.99 » A row of wall hooks keeps hats, coats, sweaters, scarves, towels and robes up off the floor so that you can do more, you know, walking instead of tripping. That's always nice.

More multipurpose wonders

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