Best space-saving designs for tiny homes
Let’s be honest, our modern urban homes can be quite cramped! We often have to squeeze through our belongings because of space constraints. It’s the ultimate test of our maneuvering skills. You may also need tiny-home designs if your goal is to live in one. We’ve put together a selection of space-saving and super functional products to help you do just that. These clever designs can be used to maximize the space available in small spaces, such as to create a mini-office or a compact exercise machine.
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. As we leave corporate offices behind, mobile offices and working remotely are becoming more popular. With work culture making such a big shift towards mobile lifestyles, our home offices and furniture should reflect that.
Why is it noteworthy?
Andrew Chang, a
Industrial designer, decided to design a chair that would fit the bill. D-Tach, a modular stool that can be used as an office chair but that can also disassemble to provide small work space for those who are on the move, is designed.
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! It’s difficult to pack their non-ergonomic forms into my bag. But this is where Yong Jeong’s Snap Hanger comes to the rescue!
Why is it noteworthy?
The Snap Hanger will be all that the average hanger cannot. This cleverly designed product comprises two units. These units can be attached at one joint and function as a pair or 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. To save space, multiple hangers can be connected vertically and stored together.
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. The magnet on the bottom can be adjusted to suit the users’ preferences. It looks sleek and modern, like a coffee maker, but in reality, it’s a purifier. The black button at the top lets you know when water is out. You can adjust the temperature and amount of water by touching 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 is minimalistic and without all of the extras you won’t use in your everyday fitness regimen. This accessory was designed with the unique needs of a fitness enthusiast in mind. First up is the space requirement and the non-flexibility of usage. Complexity of usage can ruin a basic fitness program. 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. It can be used as a chair in casual settings or as a bar stool for events. 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. Solar is ideal for smaller spaces as it provides both a jumping and resting platform and also saves space.
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. The Rubik stool is a bit like this. It can be turned, flipped and combined to serve any purpose in your home. This furniture was specifically made for small spaces, such as those that don’t have enough space to accommodate sofas or shelves.
Why is it noteworthy?
If you just need somewhere to sit down, the upright version can be used with the seat attached. 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. You can flip the top to make it a shelf. Although it is not modular, you can use it for 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. It was important to make a light that was both durable and small-sized.
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. It is minimalist, simple, yet elegant and unique. The lamp can be folded to add a new dimension to its design. Additionally, the wood-designed base is warm and welcoming to any room.
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?
The tripod can be adjusted at almost any height and angle to meet the users’ needs. It is designed like a folding lamp that can be kept even in the cabinet drawer when not required. It folds in itself so it can be carried around with you. It is a great feature for those who frequently travel in the colder areas and want to keep warm.
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. FLUP is my latest obsession in (furniture transformers) – it’s a furniture piece that can be used as both a rug or a seat. Furniture designs like FLUP are perfect for smaller living spaces, especially with the growing tiny house movement.
Why is it noteworthy?
FLUP can be folded in a position that allows us to sit down or stand on it. FLUP transforms from a plane to a volume and from floor to surface, while also changing its function by 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. 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 Leon, Mexico.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Collapsible Wood Chair is simply a combination of two identical wooden profiles and thick paracord weaving in between them. This creates the backrest and seat. Paracord serves two important purposes. It makes sitting more comfortable than metal or wood, and it allows the chair to fold flat when not in use.
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
Source: www.yankodesign.com
