Want more versatile spaces: multifunctional furniture is a must-have

In 2025, our homes have become more than just places to live. They are workspaces, entertainment hubs and personal retreats, which means that maximising space has become a necessity rather than a luxury.

So, how do we create a space that prioritises both function and aesthetics while enhancing open and flexible living?

Alexandra Owen, Design Director for Koala, believes it starts with understanding how we use our living spaces. 

“The living room has become a place not only to relax with family or friends but to work and to sleep,” she says. “For this reason, more people are investing in multifunctional furniture such as sofa beds.”

This design philosophy extends to other areas of the home, as well as other furniture pieces. A guest room, for example, can double as a home office simply by swapping a traditional bed for a sleek sofa bed, says Owen.

Ottomans, meanwhile, can function as additional seating, cleverly concealed storage and a surface for work essentials, or even a casual dining spot.

Bookshelves can serve as both storage and stylish room dividers, defining open-plan spaces.

Kitchen islands with storage and seating can double as workspaces, and coffee tables can house hidden storage compartments and provide useable work or leisure surfaces.

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Style meets comfort

When selecting pieces designed for versatility, aesthetics and adaptability should take centre stage. 

With a focus on sleek lines, premium material and meticulous craftsmanship, multifunctional furniture has evolved. 

“Our range of sofa beds, for example, goes from a small, cushy, classic flip-out, to a beautiful chaise you would never know is a bed,” says Owen.

While style is an essential component of multifunctional furniture, comfort is equally important in pieces such as a sofa bed, says Rory Costello, Country Manager Australia for Koala. 

Koala’s Kloudcell® topper technology, featured in all of the brand’s sofa beds, makes for a restful sleep, while the supportive seats, angled backrests and plush armrests are perfect for streaming. Plus, the changeover from sofa to bed is a cinch.

More multifunctional solutions 

If sofa beds are a game-changer, they aren’t the only way to elevate your home’s flexibility. 

“A modular sofa can provide even more versatility,” says Owen. “You can choose what suits you best and add onto it when you want to.”

Start small with a single module that doubles as a stylish armchair for a cosy space, or expand to a three-seater, corner sofa, or chaise. You can go big with modular furniture – even creating a full U-shaped configuration tailored to your needs. 

Enough colours to keep you covered

Adding to a sofa’s versatility should be the ability to remove and wash cushions and seat covers. 

Koala’s removable, washable and replaceable sofa covers, such as those featured in the Bangalow modular sofa range and the Byron sofa bed, allow furniture to be refreshed and play with colour options.

While neutrals “remain a classic choice, more people are adding rich, warm hues into their interiors, says Costello.

The removable covers allow owners to have more than one colour choice on hand so that they can go bold with a lush green hue or introduce a sense of calm with a neutral option. 

If you’re tech-savvy, use an app like Homestyler to visualise a new piece of furniture in your space.

Designing for longevity 

An increased focus on sustainability is also driving demand for durable, multifunctional furniture.

“People want their furniture to grow and evolve with them,” says Costello. “Our modular sofas support the circular economy and, for those moving house, are very easy to disassemble and reassemble. We see ourselves as the antidote to fast furniture.”

Koala was the first Australian mattress and furniture retailer to join the 1% for the Planet movement, with every purchase contributing to the protection of koalas and their habitats.