Typical Answer: Something to climb on to reach things that are, well, out of reach.

Designer Answer: A shelving unit!

There’s no right or wrong answer here.  This is an example of how there are varying opinions about how things should be used.  This is particularly true for those who are looking to improve their living spaces for little money.  By adding some scrap wood to the ladder rungs, a bookshelf is created.  Or, couple two ladders together and string longer pieces of wood between then.  Add some paint, and you’re done!

Re-purposing items into unique items to improve your home not only saves money (and time shopping), but it also allows for interesting design features in your home.  Consider shopping flea markets, salvage stores, and antique stores to find items that could be used for other purposes (like the ladders, for example).

Here are some examples:

• Sofas, love seats, ottomans and arm chairs with storage built-in under the seat cushion.

• Ottomans with wheels so they can be moved in front of furniture to use as a coffee table, or away from furniture to use as additional seating.

• Chests and trunks serve well for both storage and as a coffee table or TV stand.

When browsing through catalogs and visiting furniture stores, be sure to think about the many uses pieces can serve (or the ways you can change them out or make additions to them to make them more functional).  A lot of creative thought comes into play when choosing multi-functional (or multipurpose) furniture pieces for small living spaces.