The Simpsons and other characters and pop culture figures are translated into minimalist chair designs in this eclectic collection from 56th Studio. Can you guess who the rest are supposed to be? The designers took the most recognizable features of each and distilled them to their most basic forms. Naturally, the exaggerated hairstyles of Bart, Marge and Lisa make them easy to spot, while the others are subtler.

“At the beginning, this project is an exploration of minimal illustration that has eventually expanded into pieces of furniture,” say the esigners. “We believe that objects possess power of communication, therefore, we decide to take a tongue-in-cheek look at investigating Pop and Hollywood Culture in tangible forms, in hoping that it would make the line that separates Graphic from Furniture become thinner.”

Inspired in part by the ‘cubical appearance’ of iconic singer Grace Jones, the project definitely blurs the lines between art objects and functional furniture. Jones is represented by one big pair of lips, and you might be able to spot Harry Potter and his owl, too.

When you live in a small space, every square inch counts, and furniture that can expand and contract on demand makes it a lot easier to fit all the functions you need into your home without feeling overwhelmed with clutter. Modular furniture sets and rooms-within-rooms containing fold-out and slide-out components make clever use of the space available, and the ability to hide things away when they’re not in use will please minimalists, too.

Sleepbox: Tiny Bedroom for Public Spaces

Sleepy travelers can catch a night’s sleep in private surroundings with the Sleepbox, a compact lodging pod meant for public spaces like airports and train stations. For those with layovers or unexpected delays, a room-in-the-box right inside the transit station could definitely be an affordable and convenient option.

Cocoon 1 Room Pod

This unusual room-within-a-room is almost as much an art piece as it is a functional living space. Cocoon 1 by Micasa Lab is a plastic pod offering a separated space that provides a sense of privacy and solitude while maintaining a connection to the outside world. It contains built-in furniture, a kitchen and a power pack that can provide either 40 hours of light, or 20 hours of light plus 30 minutes of cooking.

Boxetti: 3 All-in-One Fold-Out Living Spaces

Minimalists, rejoice – options that hide virtually everything from view when not in use are not only becoming easier to procure, they’re more stylish than ever, too. The Boxetti Collection by Rolands Landsbergs is a series of fold-out, slide-out living spaces contained within simple white modules. It includes a bedroom box, a living room box, an office and a kitchen.

Sleek and Simple Fold-Out Bedroom Box

For those in temporary living spaces, or who just don’t care about personalizing their homes, all-in-one box systems like the Room by ODA offer a modular dwelling system that collapses and expands. It comes with three elements – the pod, a media station and a satellite. Colors and materials can be customized.

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Fold Out Room 12 Ultra Compact Living Pods Systems

Simple and elegant, the Origin III series by designers BCXSY is made up of interlocking wooden shapes that come together into minimalist furniture that can easily be disassembled for transport and storage. The series, which also includes fruit bowls and serving trays, was inspired by boat-building techniques.

The designers, Boaz Cohen and Sakaya Yamamoto, worked on the project during an artist’s residency at the Meitheal Mara boat-building culture and education center in Cork, Ireland. Taking cues from the steam-bending, joinery methods and clamps that are traditionally used to shape and assemble boats, the duo have translated these skills into practical applications for the modern home.

Origin III is the third installment of BCXSY’s series of projects in which they have worked with local craftspeople to learn from their traditions. They previously presented rugs woven by Bedouin women, and wooden screens made with the help of a Japanese joinery craftsman. See more of their work at Dezeen.

“The boat-building techniques we have witnessed at Meitheal Mara were very different from the traditional artistry we have worked with in the past – they utilize rougher, unrefined and simple methods, while being strikingly efficient,” the designers told Dezeen. “Observing their work we were fascinated by how almost magically, in a matter of a few days, a vessel can be constructed which allows people to travel on the water.”

“For the Fruit Bowls we have used shorter and wider planks of freshly cut Ash. Two long cuts make it possible to bend and twist the surface until the final form is achieved and fixed by using copper nails and roves. The white painted parts are a reference to the water line painted on the boats.”