Mechanical or Metamorphic furniture exists for a reason – when there is a need to get two functional pieces from just one piece of furniture.

The Georgian tilt top table is a good example of mechanical furniture in its simplest form, where round tables used for dining, playing games or occasional tables have table tops that tilted away so the table can be pushed against a wall to save space.

In its more complex form, the Victorians managed to transform a child’s highchair into a rocking chair, while a library chair was designed and built for the European bourgeoisie in the 18th century that transformed into library steps. Canonbury Antiques add that “The metamorphic chair/library steps are one of the most ingenious, space-saving, dual-use devices known to man in our humble opinion.”

On her blog, Carrie McBride, managing editor of Apartment Therapy discusses furniture for small spaces, with samples including a piano bed (yes, a piano that folds out into a bed).

The practice of dual-use furniture features heavily with baby and toddler furniture, where the need for a large array of products, with a relatively short time of required use, has meant that getting two products from one can save cost and space. The cot that becomes a bed and then a sofa, the table and chairs that becomes a highchair. The same ideal and necessity still applies today and, due to limited space in homes, the need for multifunctional space saving furniture will continue.

To see a contemporary take on the library steps chair, take a look at my Iford step chair which is a perfect fit for a kitchen, library or study that may need the space-saving versatility that metamorphic furniture can offer.

Get in touch if you think your home could benefit from this or any other dual-purpose furniture. It might be something that I can help you with.