Furniture with a hidden function for the home office

The home office organization implies two basic variants: a separate study room or a workspace integrated into a space for other purposes. Part of the living room, dining room, bedroom, and even the hallway, pantry, loggia, or wardrobe can be transformed into a workspace. A separate room for a home office is a solution that provides numerous advantages for the user.

The most common furniture for a home office is a writing desk, chair and shelves. In my post 11 Desirable Home Office Writing Desks I considered different types of writing desks for the Home office.

Transforming furniture does not look like a writing desk but fulfils the function of the desk. This type of furniture is suitable for furnishing small spaces or spaces with multiple functions. Some types are suitable for working from home full-time, and others are only for temporary work activities. The writing desk designed this way contributes to the multifunctionality of the space as the work surface can disappear if necessary.

The transformation is achieved by folding, pulling out or rotating individual parts, and different ways of opening, overlapping or sliding the component elements. With its transformations, this piece of furniture contributes to the transformation of the space in which it is located. In the closed position, their function is usually hidden at first glance, while the element fits perfectly into its surroundings. The furniture's open position provides a work surface and reveals the sophisticated details inside the unit. It can accommodate a space for a laptop, a telephone, trays for writing utensils and other useful compartments. The useful interior fittings frequently include sockets for power and USB connections, Qi charger for mobile phones. In some cases, a lighting system is well incorporated into the internal space and useful for the user.

People in many professions work from home with the support of advanced technology. A home office should be functional and adapted to the needs of each user, regardless of whether it is used for permanent work or only for occasional work activities. One of the important factors in the correct selection of a desk for a home office implies that it can accommodate all the necessary equipment for performing work activities.

The function that disappears

Vorstand, the wall cabinet with an inside folding table is a good example of transforming furniture.

When Vorstand is closed, the working function disappears and it becomes a tall (h=2,01m) wall cabinet integrated into the environment (size when folded: 37,3 x 99,7 x 220,0 cm). This product in the open position allows the user to work in an isolated, protected and autonomously lit environment. Vorstand consists of two parts interconnected by a multi-part upper structure. Metal scissors with a mechanism, covered with a black wool textile ceiling enable transformation. The body of the element is mounted on the wall while the front part is on rubber wheels. The central locking handle, which holds the parts in the open position, provides safety during use.

The element interior is functional and provides a folding work surface in the middle and side compartments and drawers for folders storage. The designer planned in detail the place for each work gadget. The devices are provided with a power supply, while the cables are cleverly hidden. Vorstand is an element of relatively small dimensions that ensures the user's integrity and the implementation of work activities in a manner adapted to his needs. Vorstand can be used to furnish different rooms in an apartment or house, where there are conditions and space for its transformation (Dimensions in the unfolded state: 167.6 x 99.7 x 220.0 cm). When Vorstand is not in use, it frees up space and leaves the possibility of realizing other activities in the same room. Through transformation, Vorstand changes its function and appearance, as the function of the space in which it is located.

Flexible box for work

Another example of furniture transformation is the Flatmate bureau. Its depth is only 12.2 cm, and it looks like a wall covering in the closed position. An element of such small dimensions hides its primary function intended for mobile users. The open position offers a functional place to work or occasional work activities such as paying bills or checking email. Built-in lighting, space for storing folders, and numerous partitions contribute to user comfort.

Flatmate saves space thanks to its small dimensions and enables the implementation of work activities even in rooms with a minimal area.

Not just a cabinet

Savio is a free-standing wall unit with double doors and a hidden desk. The combination of two different types of wood (Canaletto walnut and natural maple) and high craftsmanship in the realization of the inserts contribute to the attractiveness of the doors of this element. The element turns into a lighted workplace with numerous partitions when the door is opened.

The LED light can be dimmed and adjusted to the user's needs. The door has its function and enables the storage of necessary small things for work. The interior is no less attractive, realized in vivid colours of maple and leather. Savio is an element that hides the work function, if necessary, and gives the space a new quality. This feature is recommended in the case when several different activities are realized in the same space. The balance of natural materials, textures and colours contribute to Savio fitting into most classic or modern interiors. The functional characteristics of the element enable it to turn the space into a home office. 

Folding door as a desk

Home Office 1273 is a sideboard 36e8  designed to be used also as a desk.‎ The different final finishing of the doors gives the element a dynamic look. This piece of furniture transforms from a storage element into a comfortable table for the user who works with a tablet or writes in a notebook. It is intended for those users who want a small, quiet corner for work, but do not have the room for this purpose. It is the solution with flap doors, designed to fulfil a double function and provide spaces for work and study on the minimal area.

Wall-mounted desk with flap doors

Wall Mounted Desks are a separate category of transforming furniture. They are space-saving and especially desirable where there is no room for conventional furniture in home. Their characteristic with examples are introduced in detail in my post Functional Possibilities of the Wall Mounted Desks.

This time only the Ghostwriter hanging home office cabinet will be presented .‎ The opening of the unit is provided by a special and patented system, Dual-Flap®. The large door and part of the upper side open at the same time, turning the door into a practical desk. The interior of the element is finished in eucalyptus wood. This is an example of detailed planning in minimal space. There are perfectly arranged shelves, a small drawer for pens and plugs (2 Shuko and 2 USB) and numerous partitions. The interior space is illuminated with a continuous beam of light, thanks to the LED lamp integrated into the thickness of the upper part.

Designcommunication presents our selection of transforming furniture. It meets all the functional requirements of the 21st-century remote worker generation. Opening or closing these elements means the beginning or end of work activities as well as changes of the home office space.

If you are interested in more ideas concerning Home office please visit my video on You Tube: Home Office Writing Desks Creative Ides or following posts on Designcommunication: Laptop Stand or Workstation for Home Office and Modern Secretary Desk for Home Office.