Last year, I moved into a smaller apartment. As a professional gamer, I spend most of my day in front of monitors, and my home doubles as a streaming studio, editing bay, and occasional guest room. I used to buy furniture like I was equipping a character with single-use items: a desk for work, a couch for watching, a bed for sleeping. Then I spoke with three interior designers—Sarah Hart, Victoria Lott, and Tyka Pryde Edwards—and my whole approach changed. They taught me that a piece of furniture can have a primary purpose without being trapped in one room. In 2026, with space at a premium, that lesson feels like a cheat code.
The Humble Upholstered Bench Is My MVP
Victoria Lott, co-founder of Braizen, told me her most mobile piece is “a humble little upholstered bench.” I laughed because I had one at the foot of my bed that I used only for throwing hoodies on. But Lott uses hers for so much more: it has extra storage in the seat, it’s a perch for putting on shoes, and it becomes extra seating for dinner parties or movie nights. She even uses it in entryways or as a step to reach high cabinets.
Designer Tyka Pryde Edwards adds that a bench can sit at the end of a bed as an accent, or a larger version with a tray on top can serve as a coffee table. In my apartment, that bench now holds my backup controller, a blanket, and whatever book I’m reading between matches. It’s not just furniture; it’s a support item.
Accent Chairs Are Functional Art
Don’t let the word “accent” fool you. Edwards calls accent chairs “functional art.” They can live in a living room as a statement seat, in a bedroom as a dressing chair, in an entryway to create a moment of form and texture, or even in a bathroom next to a soaking tub for a touch of luxury. They also work at the ends of dining tables when you need more seats, or in a nook or hallway for extra functionality.
I used to think accent chairs were just for looks. Now I have one in my streaming corner that doubles as guest seating. When my friends come over for a co-op night, it rolls over to the table. When I’m editing, it’s my reading chair. It’s like a character with multiple abilities.
Credenzas: The Storage Tank
Sarah Hart, founder of Sarah Hart Interior Design, says credenzas can function as a TV console, dining room buffet, a storage piece in a bedroom, or storage in a library or sitting room. “This kind of piece is so versatile,” she says. “Bonus points if it’s vintage—then it will truly stand the test of time.” She recommends investing in a larger size, ideally six to seven feet wide, for maximum versatility.
I took that advice and put a vintage credenza under my main monitor. It hides cables, consoles, and external drives, and the top surface holds my capture card and a small plant. In a guest bedroom, it could hold linens. In a dining room, it could be a buffet. It’s the tank of my furniture party—high capacity, hard to kill.
Vintage Chairs and Dining Tables Are Chameleons
Hart calls herself a chair collector, and she emphasizes how much vintage chairs offer beyond the dining room. “They can be used as an office chair, accent seating, dining seating, and additional seating if you have guests—much better and much more elevated than folding chairs,” she says. A unique vintage chair can also become a statement piece, livening up a bare corner or adding storage in a bedroom.
Vintage dining tables are just as flexible. Hart says one can stand the test of time as an actual dining table, sit in the center of a kitchen as a working island-meets-table, or function as a desk in an office. My current desk is a vintage dining table. It’s wide enough for two monitors, a microphone, and a snack. When I host a dinner, I clear it off and it becomes the main stage.
Side Tables and Stools: The Floaters
Edwards points out that side tables and stools offer endless possibilities. “A marble or wood pedestal can hold a drink, a plant, or a stack of books,” she says. “They can float anywhere beside a sofa, next to the tub, or in a hallway to ground a vignette.”
In my place, a small stool acts as a footrest during long raids and a side table for my headset during calls. A ceramic pedestal holds my coffee and a tiny cactus. These pieces are light, cheap, and easy to move—perfect for a gamer who rearranges his setup every few months.
| Piece | Primary Use | Secret Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Upholstered bench | Bedroom perch | Extra seating, entryway, step stool, coffee table |
| Accent chair | Statement seat | Dressing chair, bathroom luxury, dining overflow |
| Credenza | TV console | Buffet, bedroom storage, library storage |
| Vintage dining table | Dining | Desk, kitchen island, craft table |
| Side table / stool | Surface | Plant stand, drink holder, hallway vignette |
The Real Key to Versatility
Edwards gave me the rule I now use for every purchase: “The key to versatility is simplicity of form and honesty in materials. When something is beautiful and well made, it belongs anywhere.” That means I don’t need a bigger apartment. I need smarter pieces. 🎮
In 2026, my home is still small, but it works harder than ever. The bench, the accent chair, the credenza, the vintage table, and the floating stools all pull double or triple duty. As a professional gamer, I rate that kind of furniture S-tier. It’s not about having more rooms—it’s about letting every piece play more than one role.