Do-It-Yourself Swimming Pool

For people living in places where space is at a premium, maximizing the utility of every item and furnishing is imperative. Whether it’s a college dorm, a studio, or a house or apartment with a few extra residents, some of the best furniture is the stuff that can be used in multiple ways while taking up minimal space.

Folding furniture is one of the old standbys for tight living spaces. The most popular and widely known is of course, the futon. With a push and a pull, a soft couch frame swings out, flattens and becomes a full-size bed. While the collegiate dorm room futons most people are familiar with can be flimsy and have unsupportive cushions, higher-end futons can be incredibly attractive pieces of furniture that save space and offer excellent comfort. Using better materials, like a foam futon pad instead of fiber filling, can give a futon the feel of a comfortable sofa or the softest bed, able to instantly become whichever is needed.

Another option, popular in the 20s and 30s and making a resurgence today, is the folding bed. Often recognized from a gag in slapstick movies or cartoons, a bed that folds vertically into a cabinet or the wall can effectively remove a bed from a room in minutes. To keep up with the times, these cabinets are made in many different styles so they blend into a space seamlessly.

Yet another example is the folding foam chair, a three-piece seat that folds flat as an occasional use or spare mattress for naptime for kids or extra guests. These come in virtually every fabric covering possible, making them practical in any space. If you’re short on space, all it takes is a little creativity, and you can be comfortable with plenty of room left over.