Today I’m sharing a tour of our flex room, which we call The Snug, with current photos so you can see how we use this multi-purpose space.
The Snug sits over our single-car garage and has an attic-like feel. It needs to be versatile — serving as a family guest room, sitting room, TV room, playroom for grandkids, office, and game room. Life changes through the seasons, and we wanted this room to adapt as our family’s needs change.
Our home is about 1,900 square feet, not counting a small separate cottage, so maximizing every room and corner is important to us. We try to make each space practical and welcoming without cluttering it with items that don’t serve a purpose.
When we first moved in five years ago, The Snug became a catchall: temporary storage, overflow during renovations, and a “use-what-we-have” room. Over time we learned how we actually used the space, which allowed us to make intentional choices instead of rushing into big purchases.
I believe it’s wise to live in a room for a while before committing to major changes. That way you understand traffic flow, preferred functions, and what furniture and storage will make the most difference.
The Snug Makeover
This year we finally focused on what we actually needed in The Snug: efficient furniture, flexible sleeping arrangements, and practical updates that didn’t require major construction. The one significant update we made a few years ago was replacing carpet with wood flooring at the end of our main floor renovation. That change transformed the room’s feel and made it much easier to care for with kids and dogs.
We haven’t repainted the entire room yet beyond a few touch-ups. The built-in shelving and trim will eventually get fresh paint, but that’s a project we’re saving for the future. For now, small updates and furniture changes have dramatically improved how the room functions.
This was one of our favorite rooms from the start. We love the vaulted ceiling, the dormer windows, and the built-ins. There’s even a peekaboo view of the water where we can watch the ferry come and go throughout the day.
Because the room is long and narrow, planning the layout took some thought. We needed the space to support multiple functions while remaining comfortable and uncluttered.
Flexible Furniture: Two Twin Daybeds, a King Option, and a Full Bed
A major change was replacing a single rattan daybed with two twin trundle beds for increased flexibility. Having two twin trundles allows us to create a variety of sleeping configurations: separate twin beds, side-by-side sleeping for a couple, or using the trundles separately around the house.
We love how the twin beds look on one side of the room and how easily they convert to more beds when guests arrive. The trundles have legs that fold down so they can sit level next to the daybeds, effectively creating the equivalent of a king-sized bed if needed. The trundles are movable, too, so you can reconfigure the layout without difficulty.
These beds have made the room especially family-friendly. They’re cozy for reading, watching movies, and overnight stays, and they make hosting multi-generation groups easy.
We also kept a full bed across the room. At first we wondered if it was necessary, but it adds valuable flexibility — for example, a parent on one side and kids on the other. It’s comfortable and consistently the most used guest bed in our home.
Having movable pieces and multiple sleeping options means the room can transform quickly to meet whatever our family needs at the moment.
The bed nook provides a restful corner of the room that guests appreciate, and it blends into the overall layout without feeling like an afterthought.
The Slipcovered Sofa (Sectional)
We used to have an Ikea Ektorp in this room, but recently installed a modular slipcovered sofa built in three sections so it could be maneuvered up our tight staircase. The sectional functions as a full sofa while remaining easy to move. We have two washable slipcovers — one blue and one soft white linen — which makes maintenance simple and gives a fresh look when we want it.
The sofa anchors the seating area and complements the cozy, layered feel of the room. Having slipcovers we can wash is especially helpful with kids and pets around.
We enjoy switching slipcovers seasonally for a subtle refresh without spending much. It keeps the room feeling updated and intentional.
Quilt Hung on the Wall
I like hanging a quilt behind the sofa for color and texture. I researched hanging methods and found a simple rod solution that works well. Changing quilts seasonally is an easy way to refresh the room without big expense. The quilt featured here is a special piece, though it may not always be available.
TV, Workspace, and Moveable Chairs
We watch TV here in the evenings as a cozy spot for two. Our newer television doubles as art when it’s off, which keeps the room feeling polished. My husband uses the desk in the corner for work, and the furniture on that side of the room is all pieces we already owned. The “boat bookcase” has traveled with us through multiple homes.
We keep portable chairs on hand so seating can be rearranged or removed as needed. That flexibility is essential when hosting larger groups or setting up an activity area.
When family visits, The Snug becomes their home base. The room’s varied sleeping options and seating make guests comfortable while still allowing us to use the space daily.
Having a smaller adjacent room we call the Small Snug adds another flexible sleeping or quiet work area when we need it.
Portable Woven Room Screen
A woven folding screen has been one of our most useful accessories. It creates privacy for someone sleeping on a cot or separates the daybeds for more private sleeping arrangements. When not in use we often lean it against the wall as a decorative element — it adds warm texture like a piece of art.
We’ve used the screen in multiple configurations and find that having one or two gives a surprising number of layout options for privacy and visual separation.
When stored folded, the screen still contributes to the room’s layered look, and it’s easy to spread out behind a couch or daybed as a textured backdrop.
Cozy Bamboo Blinds
We installed bamboo shades that make the room feel even cozier. They diffuse daylight while offering privacy at night and are simple to raise and lower. The warmth of the natural material complements the Snug’s relaxed aesthetic.
Wall Lights
Because floor and table space is limited, we installed wall lights to provide soft, layered illumination. For now we use rechargeable bulbs, but we plan to install permanent fixtures in the future. The wall lights add a warm, cozy glow that makes the Snug feel calm and inviting.
Rug Choices
Rug placement in a long, narrow room is a challenge. For now we chose an easy-to-clean rug by the sofa and left the daybed area rug-free. That gives flexibility for activities like crafts or meals without worrying about spills, and it’s simple to remove or change rugs if we want a new arrangement.
Window Seat Cushion
We haven’t custom-made a cushion for the window seat yet, but a ready-made cushion works perfectly for now. The dogs love lounging there during the day, and the cushion adds a soft spot to the built-ins without committing to a permanent custom solution.
I hope this tour of The Snug gives you a few practical ideas for making a small, multi-use room work for your family. Thoughtful, flexible furniture choices and a few well-placed accessories can make a space feel welcoming and functional without a major renovation.
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Featured items in this post: Brass Floor Lamp; Gingham Trundle Daybeds; Bamboo Shades; Striped Rug; Stool; Cordless Lamp on Stool; White Bedspread; Sofa; Basket Storage Coffee Table; Curtain Rod for Quilt; Wood Spindle Leg End Table; Woven Screen; Bench Cushion. The quilt shown is no longer in stock.
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