Furniture Design Small Space Living

Working From Home, Adaptable Furniture Solutions

July 12, 2016

Working From Home, Adaptable Furniture Solutions

This week, I am beginning a series on Small Spaces, which I will write about on and off over the course of time. To kick us off this week, I am writing about an important aspect of our lives; work! After all, it is what that pays the rent/mortgage, so what better place to start.

As our lives become more complex and work merges with our home life, so in turn furniture design has seen a change in its form to provide more than just a simple table, chair or bed. For many of us, space is of a premium, especially those just starting out on the property ladder, where our spaces are smaller. Here in the UK, we have seen housing sizes shrink, as demand and population growth increase, creating even more need for rethinking our spaces. Smaller spaces require that our furniture works harder, is intuitive and its functionality is adaptable to meet our different needs.

More and more of us work ‘on the go’ or work full/part-time at home. So with this in mind, I am looking at furniture design and how ‘adaptable’ furniture design can serve us with our working commitments.

Here are few solutions I came across……

I love this industrial styled dining table/workspace by Italian company Manoteca who have come up with a brilliant design piece of ‘adaptable’ furniture. A dining table is going to take precedence in a smaller spaces over a desk and, this table is great as you get to hide away paperwork and stationery when not in use.  Perfect for those industrial vibe styled small spaces, it is made from vintage exterior doors, which makes it environmentally friendly too. If you’re looking for inspiration on up cycling and sustainability, their website is definitely worth a look.  I love their ‘About’ page, which starts with the quote, ‘I really like the idea that in every object is held somebody’s life. I hope that who is going to possess an object will think about that and take good care of it.’

This is  mid-century styled coffee table from West Elm.co.uk, is great for ‘impromptu’ working solutions. Working from the sofa  provides a more relaxed setting, perfect if you have already spent a day behind a desk in an office. It also hides all your paraphernalia away inside when not in use, combining style, storage and flexibility.

This simple modular design by Orla Reynolds is a brilliant and adaptable system. Brightly coloured tables and chairs slot into this bookcase configuration. I adore the fact that they are hidden pieces that add pops of colour. A number of variations are available depending on your available space and the bookcase provides storage for your work stuff too…. brilliant!!

 

This sleek little number by German company, Magazin.com, is less imposing on floor space as it will fold flat against a wall and has a pull down desk to work from. I also like the side slots for storing files and paperwork. A great piece for those of us who like a clean lines and are minimalist. The site is in German, and, no I unfortunately don’t speak the language, but its such a fabulous piece, it had to be included.

 

This more traditional convertible piece of furniture, I have to say, I have seen in action at design shows in London and, was very close to buying one of these for our daughter’s bedroom. This would be perfect for those of you who don’t like to have to put everything away each time you have finished working as it is all hidden once the bed is down. It is very easy to convert from bed to workspace making it ideal for all ages. It is even endorsed by George Clarke of Amazing Spaces.

 

 

 

The Table Plus is a pull out table design by Magnet, which has been designed for the kitchen, but could quite easily be used anywhere you have free wall space. Its additional storage features, internally and externally, would make this a great working desk. I personally think this could work well in a teenagers bedroom where flexibility is key to study, sleep and social aspects of their lifestyles.

 

On a final note, I like the fact that the working desk can be hidden from sight in a small space.  Not being constantly reminded about work,  is a good thing in our busy lives as it helps with keeping some down time and is important for our well-being. As the proverb says, ‘All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy!’

 

 

Maria

 

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2 Comments

  • Reply Amanda Dodds-Hooson July 24, 2016 at 9:45 am

    Excellent post….and I ADORE the dining table :) x

    • Reply maria July 27, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      Hi Amanda, thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comments :D x

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