Versatile design – presenting seven handy design gems

When you want to make the best use of all square feet of your home or to avoid clutter, opt for multi-purpose items in your interior decoration. We picked seven clever and practical items from our selection that can perform multiple functions.

Portable brilliance

The Flowerpot VP9 table lamp by &Tradition is a portable alternative to the iconic lumianire designed by Verner Panton. The retro lamp, drawing inspiration from the late 1960s Flower Power movement, consists of two hemispheres, which let the light reflect down in a soft, pleasant manner. VP9 is somewhat smaller than its cousin that comes with a cord, so it’s also easy to carry it along wherever you might need a dose of extra light – or flair.

• &Tradition's Flowerpot VP9 table lamp >
• All portable lighting >

Choose your use

For carrying firewood or organizing your magazines? Why not both? The Kanto rack designed by Pancho Nikander is a continuation of creative wooden products by Artek. The stylish Kanto, made of a single sheet of form-pressed birch plywood, is available in white, black and birch.

• Artek's Kanto rack >
• All magazine racks >

Serving in style

With the Legs for Marimekko tray table, you favorite tray becomes a beautiful and handy side table. The light and delicate legs made of oak are easy to take wherever you need to set something down, and by changing the tray you can instantly create a new look for your interior. The legs are suitable for all round Marimekko trays 46 cm in diameter.

• Marimekko's tray table legs >
• All side & end tables >

A sofa bed with a surprise

When you have friends over and it’s getting late, Tapio Anttila Collection’s Frendi sofa can be turned into a bed in a jiffy. When pulled from the front, the Frendi sofa bed opens into a 120 cm wide bed and can accommodate one or two people. In addition, the cushions perfected with leather handles cleverly conceal a top mattress, a double duvet and four pillows. The Frendi sofa is made of oak and oak veneered MDF, and the cushions are available in beige and gray.

• Tapio Anttila Collection's Frendi sofa bed >
• All sofas >

3-in-1

Alessi’s Mattina breadbox also doubles – or actually triples – as a cutting board and serving tray. The design trio Big-Game designed the Mattina collection products to bring joy into our small daily routines. The minimalistically stylish box is made of epoxy resin colored steel, and the elegant grooves in the bamboo cutting board also keep the crumbs from spreading around the table.

• Alessi's Mattina breadbox >
• All kitchen utensils >

A Danish multitasker

With FDB Møbler’s F24 Radius bench/dresser, only your imagination sets the limit: the white-lacquered solid oak bench can be used as a side table, sofa table, TV stand, bedside table or a bench in the hallway. The bench, designed by Diana Claudia Mot and Isabella Bergstrøm, has two drawers, and the beautifully rounded shelves at one end are ideal for storing or displaying items. If used as a bench, you can use a cushion on top.

• FDB Møbler's F24 Radius bench/dresser >
• All benches >

Hidden talent

Mount the Korpus shelf by HAY where you not only put things down but also hang things up. Made of durable and recyclable aluminum, the shelf has seven concealed hooks, for hanging anything from jackets and towels to kitchen utensils and accessories. Korpus, created by Norwegian designer Andreas Bergsaker, can be used equally well in any room, and by combining shelves of different sizes and colors, you can create an impressive ensemble.

• HAY's Korpus shelf >
• All shelves >

See also:

• All storage furniture >
• All items at Finnish Design Shop >

Text: Kaisa Mikkola Images: Manufacturers

Published on 6 Jul, 2022