Let’s be honest, our modern urban homes can be quite cramped! Space constraint is a major issue, and we often find ourselves squeezing through our own belongings. It’s the ultimate test of our maneuvering skills. Or on the other hand, if you’ve decided to join the tiny home movement, and now reside in a tiny home, you still need designs that perfectly fit into it! And we’ve curated a collection of super functional and space-saving products that promise to do exactly that. From a modular chair that transforms into a small workspace to a space-saving exercise bike that doubles up as a piece of furniture – these nifty designs are all you need to make the most of the limited space in your tiny home!
1. D-Tach
D-Tach is a versatile stool that transforms into a small workspace designed to accommodate today’s mobile work culture. With each day, our world seems to become more and more mobile. Mobile offices, working from home, and freelance careers are increasing in popularity as we move away from corporate offices. With work culture making such a big shift towards mobile lifestyles, our home offices and furniture should reflect that.
Why is it noteworthy?
Industrial design student Andrew Chang decided to create a chair that fits the bill. D-Tach is a modular stool design that functions as a traditional office chair, only to disassemble into parts that provide a small working space on the go.
What we like
- Transforms into a small workspace
- Fits into most modern offices
What we dislike
- We’re unsure how comfortable would the small workspace be to actually work in
2. The Snap Hanger
Hangers have pretty much reached necessity status in a household. But no matter how handy they might be, there is something to be said about their pesky form! Their odd shape makes it difficult to adjust clothes with a narrow or tight neck on them. It’s also difficult to store them, and forget about packing them in your suitcase to carry them with you on your travels! I really don’t know how to shove their un-ergonomic form into my bag. But this is where Yong Jeong’s Snap Hanger comes to the rescue!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Snap Hanger promises to be everything the ordinary hanger is not. This cleverly designed product comprises two units. The units fasten together at a single joint, functioning as a pair of scissors! The two units can be attached and detached. When attached, it functions as an ergonomic hanger that can be easily slipped into narrow or tight necked clothing, without any hassle! When detached, the hanger can be effectively stored away or carried with you when you hit the road. Multiple hangers can be attached and combined vertically to help store them without taking up much space.
What we like
- Functions like a pair of scissors
- Revamps the traditional design of a hanger
What we dislike
- Some people may find it difficult to get accustomed to the new form
3. The NOOK Built-in Water Purifier
Built-in water purifiers are preferred, but you can also have something that looks as inviting as the NOOK Built-in Water Purifier. Designed by South Korean Hyunbin Yan, this water purifier can be installed in the corner. It will not interfere with the rest of your sink or kitchen counter because of its slim and sleek build. It does not take much space in a small sink, so it can be the perfect choice for tiny homes or apartments.
Why is it noteworthy?
The NOOK Built-in Water Purifier’s interesting features are what make it unique. It features an attachable drip tray. In addition, there is a magnet at the bottom of the body that can be customized to the user’s preference. At first glance, it looks like a sleek coffee machine, but it is just a purifier. Water comes out when you touch the black button you see on top. The amount of water and temperature can also be set with a touch of the controller.
What we like
- Visually pleasing aesthetics, unlike regular purifiers
- Fits compactly in a corner
- Movable head, allowing you to adjust the cup size
What we dislike
- Not very easy to clean
4.“The-O” exercise bike
This exercise bike doesn’t just take up space when not in use – rather performs double duty as a piece of furniture for urban dwellers who find themselves constricted for space. Ones who are always on the lookout for multifunctional accessories.
Why is it noteworthy?
Meet “The-O” exercise bike designed to be minimalistic, sans all the fancy features you’ll never end up using in your daily fitness routine. The fitness accessory is designed keeping in mind the quirks of owning one. First up is the space requirement and the non-flexibility of usage. Then there is the complexity of use which mars the whole purpose of a simple fitness regime. The-O has none of them, and it doubles as a functional piece of furniture when your fitness is kept on hold for some days or even weeks. Use it as a seat for your casual work regime or turn it into a bar chair for parties – the options are endless. You can even turn it into a base for keeping indoor plants.
What we like
- Doubles up as a functional + stylish piece of furniture
- Can be used to keep indoor plants
- Brings a dimension of modularity to exercise equipment
What we dislike
No complaints!
5. Solar
MyZoo, a cat goods company, designs modern cat furniture that caters to your cat’s every need, while not disrupting your interior design. Solar, one of their more recent designs, is a wall-mountable floating cat bed that mounts onto any vertical surface so cats rest midair in their own designated space.
Why is it noteworthy?
Shaped like the sun, Solar is a small, but sturdy floating cat bed that’s built from pinewood. In a similar fashion to their other pieces of cat furniture, MyZoo lined Solar with a slotted resting platform for safe jumping. Ideal for small spaces, Solar provides a resting spot and jumping platform for your cat and saves space in the meantime.
What we like
- Solar doesn’t take up any ground space and easily mounts to any wall where there’s room
- Easy to assemble
What we dislike
- There’s no cushioning on the bed, which would make it comfier
6. The Rubik Stool
When you hear the word Rubik, it brings to mind something that can be turned whatever which way and can still be functional. Well, the Rubik Stool is somewhat like that as it can be “turned, flipped, and combined” so you can use it for whatever purpose you may have in your house. The furniture is specifically designed for spaces that cannot accommodate a sofa or shelves to store books, magazines, and other smaller knick-knacks.
Why is it noteworthy?
If what you need is somewhere to sit, you can have it upright with the seat on top. But you can also use the underlying part as storage for things like shoes, magazines, or whatever it is that you don’t mind being under your seat. If you want it to become a mini shelf, you just flip it over and now you have two layers where you can place books, toys, plants, or even some decorations. It’s not exactly modular but it can serve multiple purposes.
What we like
- Unique seat + shelf concept
- The furniture is specifically designed for spaces that cannot accommodate a sofa or shelves
What we dislike
No complaints!
7. Spinel
Spinel is a hanging light designed to be easily transformed. The main goal was to create a product that didn’t take up too much space and was also sustainable.
Why is it noteworthy?
“Our responsibility as designers is to produce objects that occupy the smallest possible volume. The purpose is to use the least amount of raw material, producing long-lifespan objects that can be easily recycled,” says Guille Cameron. The origami-like form is minimal, elegant, and certainly unique. Unfolding the lamp adds a dynamic layer to the product and the wooden design itself is a warm addition to any space.
What we like
- Origami-inspired form
- Recyclable
What we dislike
No complaints!
8. The Folding Heater
This compact heater is crafted for individuals who are fed up with the bulky and impractical design of static heaters that beam heat only in one position. This highly maneuverable heater is different from those traditional ones in all respects though!
Why is it noteworthy?
Like a tripod it can be set at any angle and height, fulfilling the user’s requirements without any hassles. It is designed like a folding lamp that can be kept even in the cabinet drawer when not required. Yes, the design is such that it folds into itself, making it very easy to carry in hand or backpack with you. This is an important feature, especially for people who travel a lot in colder regions, and prefer to have their own heating solutions.
What we like
- Foldable design
- Portable form
What we dislike
No complaints!
9. FLUP
Who isn’t fascinated by transforming furniture designs? I love watching how furniture can serve multiple purposes by simple actions like a pull of a string or folding of a flap. My latest love in the realm of (furniture) transformers is FLUP – a multifunctional furniture piece that is both a rug and a seat! Furniture designs like FLUP are perfect for smaller living spaces, especially with the growing tiny house movement.
Why is it noteworthy?
In the unfolded position, FLUP works like a conventional mat or rug on which we can sit or step without interrupting the movement of people through the space. It transforms from plane to volume, from floor to space while changing the function with its shape. In the folded position, it works as a piece of minimal furniture – it can be used as a pouf, an auxiliary seat, a footrest, a nightstand, etc.
What we like
- Transforming design
- Space-saving
- Ideal for tiny homes
What we dislike
- Doesn’t rate high on aesthetics
10. The Collapsible Wood Chair
Quite unlike any of the folding chairs you may have seen around you, on the internet, or even on this website, this creative little number comes from Jon 117 SP, a designer based out of Léon, Mexico.
Why is it noteworthy?
Simply titled the Collapsible Wood Chair, the seating uses two almost-identical wooden profiles with a thick paracord weaving between the both of them to form the seat and backrest. The paracord does two essential things – not only does it make sitting feel comfortable (unlike wood or metal which feels rigid), but it also adds a flexible element to the seat where it folds together, allowing the chair to collapse flat when you’re not sitting on it.
What we like
- A unique take on a collapsible chair
What we dislike
- We’re not sure how comfortable it would be to sit on the paracord