Space saving furniture is furniture designed to make the best use of the existing space. It is especially important as apartment furniture and condo furniture where space may be limited. To make the best use of the available space, the furniture may be designed somewhat smaller than traditionally-sized furniture, or may be used for more than one purpose.
Furniture designed for space saving can be used in a number of different applications. Some pieces even come on wheels so that they can be rolled up and stored out of the way when not in use. It is even possible to get sinks, complete with counter tops, that are like this. However, most space saving furniture is more traditional in its design.
In the office environment, one of the keys to space saving furniture is its modular design. Just like a jigsaw puzzle fits tightly together, modular furniture helps make the most of an area by fitting it neatly together with other pieces. While it may not be possible to make every piece of furniture fit exactly perfect, the space savings that come along with such a design are significant.
In the home, this type of furniture can be modular, but it is less likely to be so. Many like more personality in their home environment. Therefore, space saving furniture in the home is likely to take the form of multi-purpose furniture. This may include furniture such as futons with storage space, beds with underneath storage and other similar furniture. The other technique is to make the furniture more vertical, such as with bunk beds. While this technically takes up the same amount of space, it does save floor space, which is usually the concern.
One of the criticisms of space saving furniture is the aesthetics. In the office environment, it is said to contribute to a type of corporate monotony that is often complained about in recent times. In the home, many see it as less than ideal, simply because it is somewhat less creative and there are fewer options than with traditional furniture.