Recently, a version of Gary Striegler and Lynn Hopkin’s article, “Build a Fold-Down Bed and Get Two Rooms From One” came across my desk. Once again, the article reminded me of the need to create flexible spaces-areas that can serve multiple purposes-in today’s homes. Fewer and fewer families have the option to “outgrow” their homes. Instead, they have to learn to live in them-sometimes for a lot longer than they had planned.
Not long ago I came across a video that showcased a line of space saving furniture from Italian designer Clei. I’ll let the video (and the furniture) speak for itself, but the pieces in their collection serve as a solution for anyone trying to achieve maximum use out of every sq.ft. of their home. Admittedly, the furniture is best suited for more modern homes.
While I see this furniture being an excellent way to increase the functionality of an existing home, I really think it can influence the way you design a small, new home. Clei’s bunk bed system, for example, virtually condenses a bedroom into a 12 1/4-in. deep cabinet. That feature alone can have a significant impact on designs where a small footprint is a priority.
Sources:
Clei: www.clei.it
Resource Furniture: www.resourcefurniture.com (American Distributor)
