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Posted on: February 9, 2009

All in One

Evolving technology brings a whole new dimension to the home

By Jeff Schnaufer
CTW Features

Image courtesy aspenhome

With the new year, new president and the changing economy, homeowners are looking to get a little more bang for their buck. And with the rise of wireless electronic devices in the home, more manufacturers are specializing in furniture with multiple purposes that often match behavior with technology. Tens of thousands of new products were introduced during this past fall's High Point Market in High Point, N.C., the world's largest furnishing industry trade show, and multifunctional items were the hottest things on the market. And just take a look around - they still are.

"We're not talking about pieces that can move from this room to that room. We're talking about pieces that can do something closer to transforming," says Michelle Lamb, editorial director of the Trend Curve in Minneapolis. "Think about a low cocktail table that becomes a desk. Or it becomes a charging station for your iPod or your laptop computer."

Several of these furnishings come from Phoenix-based aspenhome, such as the Liv360 line of multifunctional furniture, which includes upholstered chairs with laptop trays, a nightstand with a pull-out tray to work on or serve breakfast in bed, and cocktail tables with a lift-top work surface and accessory drawers.

"Their whole idea is to explore the furniture," says Ellen Gefen, creative director for online home-improvement community TheHome.com. "It's like looking under the hood of a car. People should explore furniture in the same way because it has lots of function to it you may not see."

Another favorite from the High Point Market for Gefen came from Howard Miller's Ty Pennington line of Lifestyle Storage products. The line provides clever ways to store items for everyday use, from hallway organizers with slide-out white boards and charging stations for cell phones and electronics to the Everything Cart, which features pull out garment rods, a makeup station with AC power supply and access to everything else you need for the bathroom. Lamb points to Stanleytown, Va-based Stanley Furniture's Coastal Living Collection as quality offering of multi-functional furniture and accessories.

"One of the pieces I thought was quite interesting was a desk with a drop down lid and inside of the desk was an organizer made of wood," she says. "There is a charging station for the laptop or cell phone on the organizer. It's all part of people integrating technology and behavior into product." And with more people using wireless around the home and office, Lamb says, expect more furniture in the future that fits into a wireless lifestyle.

"It frees us up from our desks. We certainly don't have to be in one spot anymore," Lamb says. "And while we are there, it would sure be great to have a place to put your laptop without burning your knees."