- Source: Multifunctional furniture
Multifunctional furniture is furniture with several functions combined. The functions combined vary, but a common variant is to incorporate an extra storage function into chair, tables, and so forth, making them so-called storage furniture. It more efficiently uses up living space. Lack of space can be an important reason for choosing such furniture, but combination furniture is also seen in larger homes for more space-efficient utilization. Historically, furniture with transforming mechanisms was called "mechanical furniture".
Examples
Some common examples of multifunctional furniture are:
Chair-table, a table where the tabletop can be hinged to form the back of a seat to serve as a chair, if necessary
Chest-chair, a type of chair where the seat doubles as the lid of a chest for storage
Chest-table, a chest used as a table, with storage space underneath a hinged tabletop. Today more commonly seen as coffee tables, since people's legs do not usually rest underneath such tables.
Coffee table with extra storage on their underside is a type of multifunctional furniture
Daybed, a combination furniture which can be used as a bed, for sitting, or for rest and relaxation in common rooms
Lambing chair, a type of unchair commonly with storage under the seat in form of a drawer
Monks bench, a table/bench
Ottoman, a stool where the seat often is hinged with a hollow inside which can be used for storage
Pull-down bed, a folding bed that is hinged on one end so that it can be stored vertically against a wall or inside a cupboard
Recliner, a chair which can be folded out to a near supine position for sleeping
Storage bed, a bed with built in storage
Sofa bed, a sofa where the seating area can be pulled or folded out to form a bed for sleeping
Storage bench, a bench where there is storage beneath the seat
Step chair and onit chair (the latter has an ironing-board mode)
See also
Hidden compartment
Modern furniture
Overhead storage, space-saving storage that frees up floor space and utilizes room volume
Category:Mechanical furniture
Category:Portable furniture
Literature
Møbler i Norge (1976) by Trond Juul Gjerdi
References
External links
"kombinasjonsmøbel" at DigitaltMuseum
Small spaces need smart solutions - Designing furniture for small spaces, in connection with human wellbeing. Kristoffer Thøgersen, Department of Design, Norwegian University of Science and Technology