Decorating
Fabulous Foldaway Storage Designs That Maximise Space
Now you see it, now you don’t, with the smartest foldaway furniture and storage around. Who knew space saving could look so stylish?
Remember folding tables? Many of us grew up with one in our home. A simple design, its two leaves could collapse down, leaving just a narrow central worktop, with legs neatly stowed beneath. When folded up, it left masses of space free, but could be flipped open to create a dining table to seat the whole family. What’s not to like?
Today, this simple concept has been expanded and improved upon. Now, folding designs crop up in every room of the home. From doors that fold away to reveal a larder in a galley kitchen, to ingenious flip-down storage, the foldaway concept works in both small spaces with confined dimensions and stylish homes that love the streamlined look.
Here are 10 of the best designs, all with hinge benefits!
Today, this simple concept has been expanded and improved upon. Now, folding designs crop up in every room of the home. From doors that fold away to reveal a larder in a galley kitchen, to ingenious flip-down storage, the foldaway concept works in both small spaces with confined dimensions and stylish homes that love the streamlined look.
Here are 10 of the best designs, all with hinge benefits!
Use to increase functional space
A whole larder space, complete with shelves, drawers and worktop, is concealed behind a super-sleek folding door. A single door fitting this wide space would protrude too far into the room when open. By using a folding design, the problem is solved, so that this kitchen in a cupboard can be left open while in use, with its slim door protruding only a little way into the room.
Check out these nifty kitchen pantry designs.
A whole larder space, complete with shelves, drawers and worktop, is concealed behind a super-sleek folding door. A single door fitting this wide space would protrude too far into the room when open. By using a folding design, the problem is solved, so that this kitchen in a cupboard can be left open while in use, with its slim door protruding only a little way into the room.
Check out these nifty kitchen pantry designs.
Revolutionise a small space
This blue unit is an entire storage, sleeping and work system, designed to fold back against the wall. One piece opens out to reveal a fold-down bed, and there is also a foldaway desk that can be used when the bed is out or stored away. It’s an inspired solution to small space living in a studio in New York City.
Take a tour of this clever Unfolding Apartment
This blue unit is an entire storage, sleeping and work system, designed to fold back against the wall. One piece opens out to reveal a fold-down bed, and there is also a foldaway desk that can be used when the bed is out or stored away. It’s an inspired solution to small space living in a studio in New York City.
Take a tour of this clever Unfolding Apartment
Fit a folding bed
A folding bed allows a room to morph from an office, say, into a guest bedroom, simply by lowering the bed. This design does not compromise on comfort or style: it’s a double bed, which drops down to reveal built-in lighting and even a tiny artwork!
A folding bed allows a room to morph from an office, say, into a guest bedroom, simply by lowering the bed. This design does not compromise on comfort or style: it’s a double bed, which drops down to reveal built-in lighting and even a tiny artwork!
Find a classic flip-up desk
The traditional bureau design has been in use for hundreds of years. It’s basically a simple desk space for letter writing that can be pulled down from a larger unit and then folded away when not in use. This lovely example looks good whether open or closed and is a handsome piece of furniture in its own right.
The traditional bureau design has been in use for hundreds of years. It’s basically a simple desk space for letter writing that can be pulled down from a larger unit and then folded away when not in use. This lovely example looks good whether open or closed and is a handsome piece of furniture in its own right.
Build it in bespoke
If you are getting shelving built into your home, why not design it with a foldaway component? This allows you to store some items out of sight – technology, for example – and is a fresh take on the more traditional drawer.
If you are getting shelving built into your home, why not design it with a foldaway component? This allows you to store some items out of sight – technology, for example – and is a fresh take on the more traditional drawer.
Tweak tradition
On a classic storage unit like this, you might expect a pair of doors to open outwards, but this beautiful design has a folding door instead. It’s a fun feature that folds back to reveal not the predictable shelves, but a surprising array of tiny drawers.
On a classic storage unit like this, you might expect a pair of doors to open outwards, but this beautiful design has a folding door instead. It’s a fun feature that folds back to reveal not the predictable shelves, but a surprising array of tiny drawers.
Reveal an office
The more slim and narrow your folding doors, the more neatly they will fold back, barely eating into floor space. The advantage of this is that a home office like this one, for example, feels part of the room when the folding doors are open. Larger doors that jut out to each side of the desk would produce an enclosed, slightly claustrophobic feel for anyone working here.
These small, built-in desk areas might give you more ideas for fitting in office space.
The more slim and narrow your folding doors, the more neatly they will fold back, barely eating into floor space. The advantage of this is that a home office like this one, for example, feels part of the room when the folding doors are open. Larger doors that jut out to each side of the desk would produce an enclosed, slightly claustrophobic feel for anyone working here.
These small, built-in desk areas might give you more ideas for fitting in office space.
Hang it up
A clothes horse takes up valuable floor space, while a drying rack suspended from the ceiling involves ropes, pulleys and perhaps too much fiddling about for many of us. This is a perfect solution – drying rails that fold down from the wall and can be stored flush against it when not in use.
A clothes horse takes up valuable floor space, while a drying rack suspended from the ceiling involves ropes, pulleys and perhaps too much fiddling about for many of us. This is a perfect solution – drying rails that fold down from the wall and can be stored flush against it when not in use.
Squeeze in a kitchen table
We all like to eat informally in our kitchen and even the snuggest cook space may have room for a folding table. This design can be dropped down against the wall when not in use, while the chairs collapse and are stored on hooks above. It’s a simple way to get more from a small space.
Tell us about your foldaway fixtures and fittings in Comments below.
We all like to eat informally in our kitchen and even the snuggest cook space may have room for a folding table. This design can be dropped down against the wall when not in use, while the chairs collapse and are stored on hooks above. It’s a simple way to get more from a small space.
Tell us about your foldaway fixtures and fittings in Comments below.
A big TV would disrupt the feel of this minimal, contemporary space. No problem – simply conceal it behind a single folding door, set in a slim wall. The door folds back neatly to sit discreetly against the white wall for an incredibly streamlined look.
Read more about where to position a TV