Underrated Furniture Pieces That Transform Spaces: Designers' Secret Weapons

In the world of interior design, certain furniture pieces dominate conversations—the perfect sofa, the statement bed, the elegant dining table. Yet, as 2026 approaches with its emphasis on multifunctional living and personalized spaces, a new appreciation is emerging for the unsung heroes of home decor. Design professionals are increasingly turning to underrated furniture pieces that blend form with function, adding layers of character and practicality to contemporary homes. These items, often overlooked in favor of more prominent statements, hold the power to transform ordinary rooms into dynamic, inviting spaces filled with personality and charm.

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The Versatile Storage Ottoman 🛋️

Jenny Williamson of West Rose Design champions the humble storage ottoman as a design staple that deserves far more recognition. "They provide additional seating and a place to stack other items," Williamson explains. "Their lightweight nature allows for easy movement, making them perfect for adapting spaces for different occasions." In today's homes where flexibility is key, these pieces serve as:

• Seating solutions for unexpected guests

• Discreet storage for blankets, magazines, or toys

• Portable surfaces that can be moved anywhere

The beauty lies in their simplicity—they can be upholstered in any fabric to match existing decor while solving multiple spatial challenges simultaneously.

Antique Bars: History Meets Function

Caroline Dedeker of Cedar & Oak recently sourced an antique bar for a client, and it quickly became the most discussed element in their home. "A bar provides effortless functionality between two spaces without there having to be an actual separation," Dedeker notes. These pieces aren't just about serving drinks; they're about creating experiences. An antique bar brings:

In an era where homes serve as both sanctuary and social hub, these pieces bridge past craftsmanship with contemporary living needs.

The Console Table Hunt

Taylor Shanahan of Redmond Aldrich Design confesses a particular passion: "We are constantly looking for consoles to live behind a sofa, in a living room, or next to the entryway as a drop-zone. In another life, I would probably own a shop that only sells consoles." This dedication stems from the console's unique ability to:

• Define spaces without building walls

• Provide surface area in narrow areas where other furniture won't fit

• Display curated collections that reflect homeowner personality

From minimalist modern designs to ornate antique finds, the perfect console table acts as both functional surface and artistic statement.

Coffee Table Clusters & Drink Tables ☕

Jessica Neilas of Thoughtform Design Build and Wolfe advocates for abandoning the single coffee table in favor of clustered arrangements. "By doing a cluster of tables and ottomans in different sizes, you can really play with different heights and materials that add articulation, character, and function," she suggests. This approach allows for:

• Flexible configurations that can change with different gatherings

• Visual interest through varied textures and heights

• Casual seating when pieces are dispersed around a room

Complementing this concept, designer Christina Clark celebrates the dainty drink table as an essential yet overlooked element. "They can round out any sitting area, no matter how small," Clark emphasizes. Allison Jaffe adds strategic placement advice: "Next to accent chairs so that you never have to reach to put your drink down."

Benches & Stools: Multifunctional Marvels

Clark views dressing stools or benches as indispensable design elements, particularly in bedrooms. "Use at the end of the bed for hidden storage or as a convenient place for putting shoes on in the morning," she recommends. Designer Jill Lagom expands on this utility, noting creative applications in guest rooms: "I used a bench in a guest room I designed to act as luggage storage." The bench's advantages include:

1. Space efficiency - Fits where chairs cannot

2. Dual purpose - Seating plus storage

3. Style statement - Can be upholstered to match any aesthetic

Personality Pieces: From Chessboards to Instruments ♟️

Lagom champions unconventional items that inject personality into spaces. "A marble chessboard will add a playful sophistication," she suggests. For those less chess-inclined, alternatives abound:

• Vintage gumball machines in complementary colors

• Record players with curated vinyl collections

• Musical instruments displayed as functional art

"Use a piano with a deep fallboard as a desk," Lagom proposes, demonstrating how practicality needn't sacrifice creativity. "Hang your electric guitar on the wall as art." These elements transform rooms from merely decorated to genuinely lived-in spaces that tell stories about their inhabitants.

Twin Beds & Secretary Desks: Space-Saving Solutions

For multifunctional rooms—guest spaces that double as offices or reading nooks—Lagom advocates for twin beds. "When you set up a twin, it's compact and can act as a daybed so you can use the room as an office," she explains. This approach maximizes limited square footage without compromising comfort for occasional guests.

Similarly, Aileen Jackson of Jackson Warren Interiors resurrects appreciation for the secretary desk. "A secretary is so underrated. It's a pretty piece when folded up, but can open to function as a workspace—we love a hardworking piece of furniture," Jackson remarks. These desks offer:

• Discreet workspace that disappears when not in use

• Built-in organization with compartments and cubbies

• Historical elegance that enhances room character

The Telephone Table Revival 📞

Neilas highlights the postmodern telephone table as another underappreciated gem. "They would consist of a cute perch, sometimes upholstered, specifically designed with a surface for an old-school telephone and maybe a drink or an ashtray, and some included a drawer for one's telephone book," she describes. In contemporary applications, these pieces serve as:

• Charming side tables with built-in character

• Conversation starters that reference design history

• Compact stations for charging modern devices in style

As we move through the mid-2020s, the most compelling interiors aren't those filled with trendy statement pieces, but rather those that thoughtfully incorporate these underrated workhorses. The storage ottoman that hosts game night, the antique bar that sparks stories, the clustered tables that adapt to different gatherings—these elements create homes that are both beautiful and genuinely livable. They prove that sometimes, the most transformative design choices aren't the most obvious ones, but rather those quiet, multifunctional pieces that serve daily life while whispering style secrets to those who know to look for them.