Designed to serve as an ersatz kitchen for those living without, this seven-in-one design features a cutting board, an induction hob, a pot and pan, a wrap for utensils and cutlery, a dish rack, all tucked into a portable box.

While it may sound like a dystopian product for a generation that can’t afford houses, it could come in handy for those sharing kitchens at places like the Royal College of Art, where designer Yu Li created it.

But the target, says the designer, “the end users are millennials, young professionals who don’t have sufficient kitchen space. They might be sharing the kitchen with others – facing the situation of ‘kitchen traffic’ – or living alone in a studio with a kitchenette.”

The back pulls out to be used as a tray, which can also be turned into a drying rack. The induction hob has a timer and temperature controls. “The idea is to trim the original kitchen space down to a few minimal elements so space can be designed simpler, neater and transformed into other purposes to increase the space utilisation.”

As more and more novel apartment units get built in which some spaces are shared, this could be at least a temporary solution, if not a real answer to the systemic problem of home affordability. That, or it could be a great camping (or glamping) companion.

Most of the tools we use have looked the same for decades, if not centuries, but that doesn’t mean they’re optimized to be as useful, convenient and durable as they can be. These clever tweaks on conventional tool designs can be incredibly simple, like adding a ledge to scissor handles for cutting straight lines, or unexpectedly innovative, like an illuminated glove that makes it easy to light whatever you’re working on while freeing up your hand.

Locking Aperture Wrench

The aperture wrench eliminates the storage issues and guesswork associated with having an entire set of wrenches, with an aperture based on that of a camera lens. The metal blades of the aperture close around any given nut and automatically lock into place for perfect custom sizing and a secure fit.

Hoyo Drill

“You could almost keep your drill on the dinner table,” says the designer about the looks of the Hoyo, a sleek black-and-white power drill. In addition to ‘looking like a race car,’ the Hoyo has an optional stabilizer to ensure that you always enter a surface perfectly straight, dial presets to adjust the power depending on the material you’re drilling, and a built-in level.

Ruler Compass

Conventional compasses typically have to be used in conjunction with rulers when you want to draw a circle of a very specific size. This one features a radius display that tells you the size of your circle as you move the leg of the compass

Portable Lighting Tool

Ultra-portable and easy to recharge either with an outlet or an included mini solar panel, the H9 Portable Lighting Tool is a silicone sheath that wraps around your hand to provide up-close illumination for whatever job you’re trying to complete. You can direct the light exactly where it needs to be, but don’t have to sacrifice the utility of your hand.

Tool Pen by mininch

Carrying a set of screwdrivers becomes as simple as carrying a pen with the Tool Pen, a lightweight, compact and ultra-sleek multitool solution with 18 bits. Six can fit inside the tool without making it heavy, and it comes in a variety of metallic finishes.

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Tools That Rule 13 Ways To Work Smarter Not Harder

Rejecting the idea that storage furniture needs to be hyper-functional above all, these innovative bookcases, credenzas, wardrobes, tables and shelves put the focus on unusual shapes and unexpected uses. These exceptionally well-designed storage solutions stand out, whether by hiding compartments in novel places, stacking modules in new ways or making a visual statement as sculpture.

Opening in Waves

Why should every item of storage furniture open via drawers and doors? ‘Wave’ by Sebastian Errazuriz turns the process of retrieving and replacing your stored items into a sort of artistic display with credenzas and armoires that open in entirely unexpected ways. “I don’t know where the line is between art and design,” he says. “It’s important to me that a project consist of just a little twist, because I ultimately want people to see the obvious, the everyday differently.”

Architecture As a Cabinet

OMA’s monumental CCTV headquarters building is recreated in furniture form by designer Nathan Li, turning it into a combination bench and storage case with cutouts in the wood mimicking the structure’s gridded glass facade.

Pin Press Storage

This pin press design by OOO My Design brings a childhood toy into full-scale as a functional item. Press the pins in any which way you want to create little pockets in custom sizes and shapes, perfectly fitting whatever objects you need to store.

Storage As a Perfectly Stacked Sculpture

Everyone who’s ever packed a moving truck as full as it can possibly get or jammed a bunch of stuff into a closet knows that the problem with this carefully Tetris’ed design lies in the fact that once you take something out, getting it back the way it was is near impossible. Still, it’s an impressive example of compressing a whole lot of stuff into the smallest possible space (and is actually a sculptural installation by Michael Johansson rather than a real storage cabinet.)

Table with Secret Storage

Virtually every compartment built into this wooden table by Naoki Hirakoso opens in a different way, so as you feel along the visible seams trying to open them,  you’ll have to alternately push, pull, slide and lift. The seams produce abstract lines when the piece is fully closed.

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Surprises In Storage 14 Clever Compartments Organizers

Murphy beds and small table surfaces aren’t the only interior elements that can pop out of walls or freestanding cabinets to offer extra function when it’s needed. Entire kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, offices, play areas and even balconies can be unfolded or pulled from nearly-flat surfaces to make small spaces more versatile, shifting their purpose altogether within minutes. See 12 more ultra-compact fold-out room systems.

Furniture Pops Out of Flat-Pack Mat

Entitled ‘Land Peel,’ this piece by Shin Yamashita is a flat floor mat with elements that pop up to create a variety of seating and working/eating surfaces.

My Space Fold-Out Play Area for Kids

Small living spaces rarely have enough room for an entire children’s play area, but fold-away solutions create one when it’s needed. My Space by Liya Mairson packs almost entirely flat when not in use, but pops up into a fun little private play space within minutes. Since it’s made of cardboard, it’s light enough for kids to set up themselves.

Pull-Out Dining Room

Bench seating, a dining table, and even an overhead light pull out of this compact pull-out dining room design, which also contains storage space.

Expanding Fold-Out Balcony

Get access to the outdoors from an upper-level apartment or condo in under a minute with this cool pop-out balcony by Hofman Dujardin Architects. It looks like a window when closed, but opens up to offer a small but valuable temporary outdoor space.

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Fold Out Life 13 Space Saving Expanding Room Elements

Making the most of a tiny apartment is all about smart use of space, organization and multi-purpose furniture. Here are 24 examples of clever small-space hacks that pack in a ton of function while avoiding clutter, like lofted platforms, hidden jewelry storage, fold-down tables and DIY slide-out pantries.

Space-Saving Bedroom Sets

Compact bedroom sets can fit everything you need and more into a tiny room without even taking up the full space. The Matroshka All-in-One furniture set measures just 13 square feet when it’s all packed up, but pulls out into a double bed, bookshelves, a corner couch, a desk, a wardrobe, a dining table, four stools and additional storage. Another option is a couch that cleverly flips up into a bunk bed in one swift motion. Lofted bedroom sets (most often made for kids and teens) are available in a wide variety of colors and styles and often include desks and even extra beds for guests.

Elevated Platforms for Sleeping and Working

When faced with minimal square footage, we tend to focus on floor space and ignore all of the usable real estate on the walls. If you’ve got ceiling height, take advantage of it with lofted designs that lift beds, storage or work spaces, freeing up room on the floor. These designs can be built-in or portable like furniture. A Portland couple with a 704-square-foot home used vertical space to pack in a closet and other storage areas under a lounge and workspace. A bed tucked under the stairs could be a creative way to use what’s often wasted space, and a simple handmade free-standing wooden platform elevates a bed over a dining area.

Magnetic & Mason Jar Storage for the Bathroom

Keeping bathrooms clutter-free is a challenge when you’re dealing with tons of small items like cosmetics, toiletries, tweezers and bobby pins. Use an IKEA magnetic knife strip to corral metal items, or create a mason jar organizer for cotton balls, makeup brushes and more. An easy way to alter your medicine cabinet to fit more stuff involves simply placing a sheet of precut galvanized steel along its back wall and adding magnetic hooks and containers.

Maximizing Cabinet and Wall Space in the Kitchen

A simple towel bar keeps pot lids out of the way, whether you mount it on the wall or inside a cabinet. Update Julia Child’s classic kitchen pegboard by painting it a custom color and use it for pots, pans, lids, tools and spices. That empty space next to your refrigerator is practically begging to be put to use; a simple DIY pantry on casters hides away a surprising amount of food. And if you’re not up to breaking out the hammer and nails, check out custom cabinet organizers like the Rev-a-Shelf swing-out pantry system.

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Small Space Hacks 24 Tricks For Living In Tiny Apartments