Multifunctional Furniture: A Space Saving Solution for Small Spaces

Abstract

The on-growing world population has led to increased urbanisation and a shift towards smaller apartments due to huge economic gaps between the rich and poor as well as the lack of space to build new buildings, caused by the high population density. In India a major portion of the middle-class
population is living in small homes or apartments. Is it getting difficult to adjust in such spaces when the human needs keep on increasing. The traditional fixed furniture occupies about half of the floorspace which reduces the circulation area even further and thus hinders with the wellbeing of the residents by providing a cluttered and claustrophobic living environment. The use of Multifunctional Furniture as a replacement for the traditional furniture can work as a space saving solution for the
residents of small apartments. Such kind of furniture can perform several functions at the same time and reduce the overcrowding of multiple furniture for the same place. This article emphasises on the relationship between multifunctional furniture and small spaces like apartments by keeping human wellbeing a primary concern along with the furniture’s innovative designs, applications, and future developments. The article concludes by establishing an overall positive relation between Multifunctional and Space Saving Furniture and small spaces by mentioning certain improvements in its design criteria as well as its scope in the Indian market with the idea to resolve its current high cost and pricing issue and promoting the need of taking human wellbeing into consideration by the
architects and furniture designers while designing small spaces.