Know When to Fold 'Em
I recently moved from a 2,400-square-foot house to a 500-square-foot cottage. Suddenly every inch of space was precious. I began to question the function of the objects around me, and pondered whether there was a more space-efficient way to perform each task. (Rule 1: Whenever possible, hang something on a wall.)
The situation got me thinking about foldable furniture — pieces that can compress to take up less space or convert from one function to another, like a Transformer. The concept isn't new. What we now call campaign furniture was popularized by British army officers in the 18th and 19th centuries, who carried collapsible furniture with them as they traveled from one post to the next.
Some of today's foldable furniture might look familiar to those officers of yore. Others owe their ingenuity to state-of-the-art technology. And while a few cost considerably more than their conventional counterparts, the square footage they save helps make up for the price.
Romano Convertible Sofa Chair, Red Fabric - $499 » One of the biggest challenges of living in a small space is figuring out what to do about overnight guests. With this Romano Convertible Sofa Chair, you've got it covered. This stylish little number converts from chair to sofa to bed in just a few steps. It's not exactly The Ritz, but when you're living in tight quarters, how long do you want your guests to stay?
Verena Lang Picture Table - $2,199 » At first glance it's simply a framed print. But unlatch the top and release the legs, and it folds down to become a dining table with space for five. Ingenious, no? Best of all, you can add your own artwork. ("Woman With a Faraway Look" not included.)
Calligaris Eleven Coffee Table - $1,257.15 » This handsome coffee table holds a secret: It doubles as a dining table. You can raise it to seven different heights, and it offers seating for six as is. But as they say on those late-night commercials, that's not all! The frosted glass top is expandable, allowing you to seat up to eight people in comfort.
Blackhawk Secretary Trunk - $4,395 » This compact home office unfolds like an old wardrobe trunk. One side provides storage for files and books; the other offers space for a computer workstation. The unit is mounted on casters, so you can roll it out of the way when you're done. (Helpful, given that it's covered in aluminum panels and weighs 525 pounds.)
Wall-Mounted Fold-Out Desk - $229 » For something less extravagant, consider this handy little folding desk. Well suited for the kitchen, bedroom, apartment or dorm, it looks like a demure black cabinet when closed. Open, it's a convenient desk complete with storage cubbies and a bulletin board. The price is pretty appealing, too.
Trinity Walnut Fold-Away Bar - $269.99 » Unless you aspire to Rat Pack–style heights of excess, chances are you don't use your bar that frequently. So why waste a lot of floor space on it? This handy unit holds everything you need, from muddlers to mixers, then folds up when done.
Folding/Stacking Bookshelf - $99 » A lot of folding bookshelves look ... er ... collegiate. But this version feels a bit more sophisticated, with slatted sides and an array of tasty colors and wood finishes to choose from. The units are stackable, too.
Foppapedretti Gulliver Drying Rack - $284 » As flexible as a contortionist, this Gulliver Drying Rack offers more than 85 linear feet of drying space when fully expanded. Lockable wheels assure easy transport and stable support, even when the unit is folded flat.
Scalo Modern Stool and Step Ladder - $2,680 » This compact stool or side table unfolds to become a stepladder, making it ideal for spaces with lofts, bunk beds or upper cabinets that get only occasional use. You can also use it as a bookshelf. Designed by Benedetto Quaquaro for Cerruti Baleri in Italy, it's available in several finishes.
Lollisoft IN Bunk Bed System » Ideal for parents whose kids split time between homes, or for accommodating occasional guests, this stylish bunk bed sleeps two comfortably. But when you're not using it ...
Lollisoft IN Bunk Bed System » ... the beds fold up and out of sight, leaving a blank wall in their place. You can also order it with a fold-out desk mounted to the back of the lower bunk, for even more utility.
More: How Portability Can Make You Happier at Home
