Store and fold: Furniture unit for compact living

Japan – Compact living is a constant problem for city dwellers. But a new storage system in the form of a floor mat is hoping to make the most of these tight living spaces.

The three-piece ‘Land Peel’ floor mat by industrial design student Shin Yamashita is a multifunctional unit that can be turned into a table or seat by simply lifting certain panels.

Depending on the combination of panels lifted, the user can mould the mat into different pieces of furniture. While one panel could work as a desk for a laptop, another becomes a back rest or leg rest. When not in use it can be folded and is subsequently easy to store.

For more innovative concepts for compact living spaces, read our Homestead 3.0 trend report.