Compact, Sustainable Pet Furniture Designs for Small Living Spaces

FDT Bureau

The Multifunctional Pet Furniture for Small Space Living project, organized by Colin Chee, presents 11 innovative designs aimed at enhancing compact apartment living for pets and their owners. Showcased during Melbourne Design Week 2024, the project features prototypes made from a single sheet of plywood, emphasizing sustainability and multifunctionality. Know more about it on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).

Chee’s concept originated from observing the disposal of nearly new pet furniture in his apartment’s rubbish collection and his struggle to find suitable pet housing for small spaces. Notable designs include Matt Reynolds’ Kitty Kabin, a cat tower and laptop table, and Like Butter’s CavyHaus, a guinea pig hutch integrated with shelving. Dutch designer Koen Fraijman created Slaaptafel, a nightstand with a cat hammock, while Mariana de Delas designed Pepas’ Palace, a ramp for her miniature dachshund. Singapore’s Dess Chew crafted a cubic dog bed from two stools, and Chee himself partnered with Yee Keong Leong to create Shiro furniture, a boxy dog bed with a hidden bench.

The series also includes Tra.ma’s Dog Pod, a convertible dog bed and coffee table, Studiomama’s Pet-level chair with a cat perch, Paola Bagna’s UUOOII stool and Tsai Design’s Doggy Loungey, a floor-sitting backrest. Studio Edwards’ Pup Cup, a spiraling, half-orb shape, doubles as a storage piece. Developed remotely, these designs were prototyped using CNC machinery and will be open-sourced for global replication. Chee reports positive feedback from both humans and pets, noting the enthusiastic reception during the exhibition. This project reflects the growing market for pet furniture, aligning with recent trends like IKEA’s pet product range.

Image credit: Colin Chee