Space-saving solutions – interlocking games

by Redazione

by Veronica Salò.

With furnishings that flow, overlap, and transform, small spaces showcase a new way of living, where multifunctional ideas and flexible systems redefine rhythm, volume, and livability even in the most compact spaces.

I know small houses well, both as a host and as a guest. I have crossed them, observed them and lived in cities full of energy and just as many compromises. Different stories, recurring dynamics. A common condition for many people, whether out-of-towners, couples, or singles living in a “little gem,” share the same layout: an entrance overlooking the living room, often the only room, an open-plan kitchen, a hallway almost always missing, and a minimal bathroom. In these contexts, furniture and space-saving solutions take center stage: the walls and every available corner are transformed into a play of interlocking pieces, a functional box where the furnishings open, slide, and change function. To best design a micro-interior or a studio apartment, without sacrificing style and customization, you must start with some key elements:

Optimize available space: empty ceilings, unused corners, minimal distances between the bed and wardrobe. Every inch can be recovered with sliding doors, fitted wardrobes, and loft beds.
Transformable and multifunctional furniture: fitted doors, wall units, chests, and extendable tables that multiply the use of spaces.
Modular systems: modular bookcases and adaptable, customizable wardrobes that can evolve over time.
Shape, material, color: beauty guides every choice, between wood, steel, and natural fabrics.

1 – STORAGE SOSPESO

The first challenge is organizing personal belongings, as traditional wardrobes aren’t always possible: they’re bulky, heavy, and often ill-suited to small spaces. SUMU by FitWood was born from a vision that combines functionality, essential aesthetics, and the environmental ethics typical of Nordic design. Just over 150 centimetres long and with three storage pockets, it is made from 87% recycled cotton. It takes advantage of the vertical development of the wall without adding rigid volumes to the wall and, thanks to the neutral colors, it adapts to the space with softness and discretion.

FitWood SUMU hanging organizer, designed by Turkka Taipale, 87% cotton 13% polyester, 40x175h cm, €84.90 – fitwood.com

2 – EXPLOIT VERTICALITY

A loft bed solution is perfect for making the most of a small room. LORE by Lufe is a raised queen-sized bed that, thanks to its airy structure, leaves plenty of free space underneath, 203 cm high, which can be used for a sofa, desk, or walk-in closet. It supports up to 200 kg of weight and the ladder can be mounted on either the left or right side of the bed. It follows the “Do It Yourself” philosophy, so it can be assembled independently and is made entirely of insignis pine wood from eco-sustainable forests with PEFC certification.

LORE loft bed by Lufe, in solid eco-friendly insignis pine wood, 207.5x146x203h cm (height), €337.99 – mobililufe.it

3 – FEATURED FEATURES

In any situation, the same trick can be applied to the “storage” problem: a small dark wood chest, in all its timeless, minute elegance, obviates the need for greater capacity and can be used as a seating area. I would immediately choose the Nest bench by Banak for aesthetic taste but also for practical reasons: with its low and elongated shape, it leaves almost the entire wall free from obstructions. Without a backrest and with three sturdy storage drawers, it is perfect for a “flush with the wall” arrangement.

Nest by Banak, 115x40x47h cm, solid wood, MDF panel and natural veneer, €385 – banak.it

4 – A MODULAR WARDROBE

When considering a wardrobe, people often opt for custom-made solutions: beautiful, of course, but demanding and often expensive. Personally, I recommend a modular solution like Sklum’s Ariaster, because it’s more adaptable and flexible, allowing for both wall-mounted and corner placement, depending on your needs. It is an open wardrobe, without doors, lighter and less bulky than traditional furniture, made with a steel structure and covered wooden shelves. The legs include plastic feet, adjustable to protect the floor surface.

Ariaster by Sklum in MDF (melamine veneer) and steel, 160x40x200h cm, €404 – sklum.com

5 – MULTIFUNCTIONAL DOOR

In a small apartment, each element should fulfill as many functions as possible. This is the reason behind the idea of a door equipped like Loberon’s Vulmont. First of all, thanks to its sliding opening, it avoids cluttering the room, furthermore it is equipped with an integrated blackboard, as well as six spacious compartments completed with hooks, in which you can store your objects. The rustic, industrial design adds a touch of personality to any space, and the intricate wood grain, from golden yellow to reddish gray, enhances its presence.

Vulmont sliding door by Loberon, mango wood and iron, sliding door dimensions: 90.5x15x210h cm, sliding guide dimensions: 210x5x13h cm, €698- loberon.it

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6 – LITTLE TRICKS

The corridor (when present) is often a wasted space and there is rarely a closet, which is why storage always remains a bit untidily “on view”. However, thanks to Mojilife’s coat hooks with shelves and storage baskets, you can free up space without cluttering up the entire wall. They offer three large storage baskets, a shelf just over a metre long and five hooks that can hold up to ten kilograms. Its soft color matches perfectly with light walls that add brightness, giving the illusion of a larger space.

Outlet – Fyfield Coat Hooks with Shelf & Storage Baskets – Gray by Mojilife, wood and MFD, 112x40x46h cm, €825.74 – mojlife.de

7 – MODULAR BOOKCASE

To avoid giving up the beauty and warm presence of solid wood (obtained from the heartwood, the internal and densest part of the tree trunk), Ilona’s modern-style bookcase is ideal. Thanks to the possibility of purchasing individual modules of six compartments each (80cmx80cm), this furniture allows you to build your own space instead of being subjected to it, allowing you to design an entire wall in a completely personalized way, according to your needs.

Ilona modern style bookcase in solid pine wood with closed back, 80x14x80h cm, €968.31 – ilonalighting.com

8 – TWO IN ONE

Even entertaining in a small home is possible, provided you choose an extendable and functional solution that can adapt to the number of guests. Spinea by Careg is a compact 90 cm ash console table that, thanks to an extension mechanism with aluminum telescopic runners and a central support integrated into the structure, can be progressively extended to a full 302 cm. The detail that makes the difference: when closed it contains a bench – also progressively extendable up to 300 cm and perfect for 6 people – when opened, however, it allows for several people to be seated around the table. A choice designed for those small apartments where everyone often finds themselves together, a versatile piece of furniture that not only allows you to set the table but also to sit comfortably, without additional chairs.

Spinea extendable console table with integrated lower bench by Careg, closed console dimensions: 90x42x75h cm, open console dimensions from 94 to 302 cm, closed bench dimensions: 72x26x45h cm, open bench dimensions: from 129 to 300 cm, €1,119 – careg.it

9 – LETTO MULTIUSO

When a mezzanine isn’t an option, you can choose flexible alternatives like Basement by Karup. It’s not a bed “for every need” in the abstract sense, but it is for those who need transformable furniture: it’s also a bench to sit on and opens further, revealing a surprising amount of storage space. A piece of furniture born from the combination of essential Scandinavian design and the practicality of Japanese futons, this piece of furniture made of natural fir wood can meet the needs of an entire room. Furthermore, it is available in four different sizes: from 144×242 to 246×242 cm.

Basement bed by Karup, designed by C.F. Møller Architects, frame dimensions: 144x242x41, 164x242x41, 226x242x41, 246x242x41, mattress dimensions: 140×200, 160×200 cm, from €929 to €1,499 – karupdesign.com

10 – FUTURISTIC SYSTEM

The deluxe solution for those who don’t have space is Bigfoot by Protekdesign, which allows you to exploit spaces in your home even when they aren’t there, even creating them. It is a modular system with a sliding mechanism, incredibly versatile and integrable into the wall, both during the design or renovation phase of the property, or in the presence of an existing wall. Ingenious, modern, almost futuristic, it is designed to meet modern needs and offers a wide palette of colors and materials, as well as multiple customization options: wardrobe, table, closet, iron, or even a bike rack. Everything is hidden behind its sliding panels.

Bigfoot by Protekdesign®, customizable sizes and materials, from €2,900 – protekdesign.it