SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL SPACES - A BLOG ABOUT SMART DESIGN & SPACE SAVING PRODUCTS

Space-Saving Moving Walls Effortlessly Change Your Floor Plan

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This clever partitioning system designed by Japanese architect Yuko Shibata allows you to expand the uses of a room by strategically dividing convertible spaces.  A series of moveable walls, sliding and swinging, separate different areas in an otherwise open space so you can effectively hide the bedroom or library, or simply amplify a room's dimensions when needed.

In the photos below, Switch Walls separate the dining/living room from the library. In the first photo, note the end of the dining room table sticking into the library that can be used as a desk.  When the wall is pushed back, the bookshelves are hidden (covered by the wall), which makes the open space for the dining/living room much larger.

Another kind of space-changing walls is a swinging partition that contains its own built-in bookshelf. When open, the bookcase is part of the bedroom.  When more privacy is wanted, swing it shut and it closes off the bedroom to create an office/reading room.

The Switch Walls were designed by Yuko Shibata, and we saw it first at Dornob.

Convertible Furniture for the Kitchen - As Only the Italians Can Do

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One doesn't usually think of convertible furniture for the kitchen, and certainly not electronic, remote controlled furniture.  Yet here we have an exceptionally elegant island cabinet from the Italian company Minimal called the Verve Sliding Top. 

The cabinet itself is a perfect example of Italian taste, style and understatement.  Featuring matte white laquer doors, luxurious acacia wood for the sliding top, and contemporary stainless steel, the interplay of these high end materials creates a modern centerpiece that would shine in any room of the house.

But that's not the sexy part.  Press a button, and the fun really begins (sort of reminds us of everyone's favorite remote controlled Murphy Bed...).  The wooden top glides away to reveal a cooktop and white corrian prep counter.  Press another, and the stainless steel cover moves to unveil a sunken sink with retactable faucet.  All in all, a multi purpose minimalist wonder!

Done cooking?  Just move the elements back to their original position, and you have a perfectly elegant dinning bar or buffet table to wow your guests.  The Verve sliding top is just one of the sumptuous kitchen and bath offerings from Minimal.

This incredible, expanding kitchen counter top was designed by Minimal, and we saw it first on 3rings.