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Student Concept for Transforming Storage Shelves That Fit Under a Bed or Sofa

Someone please complete this unfinished, promising student idea

By Rain Noe - May 12, 2022

in Furniture Design

Remember that table that folds into a wall cabinet, built by Izzy Swan?

Sweden-based industrial designer Oskar Lillo had a similar-but-different idea back in 2013, when he was a student at Chalmers University. Lillo, who today holds degrees in both Mechanical Engineering and ID, was studying ME when he conceived of this object:

"The brief was to maximize storage space in smaller homes with minimal possibilities for storage. The result was a three-level shelf system connected in a calculated way to keep the shelves in a horizontal position through the whole movement. In the lowered position the wheels hit the ground, and it can easily be pushed under a bed or sofa."

Sadly, the assignment didn't call for more than a proof-of-concept model, so what you see above is as far as the project ever got.

Today, Lillo works as a product developer for Hay, and I assume he's too busy making hay to return to this. So I'd love to see this concept realized by one of those YouTube makers who's always looking for a new build. If that's you, please be sure to hit us up if you tackle it!

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m stauffer

2 years ago

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I created an account just so I can give props to this line in the article: "...I assume he's too busy making hay to return to this."
It's quality writing like this that keeps me coming back. Keep up the good work.

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Dee An

2 years ago

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Issues with current design that would need addressing:
1. The shelf system is stable when in lower position and in upright position - but not in the transition between the two positions. As the user raises the shelves, the lowest shelf must be prevented from rolling or sliding along the floor.
2. The current design could trap fingers or even shear them off. This issue must be studied.
3. The user might pull the system from under a bed and then lean over the shelves to grasp the furthest shelve in order to pull the system upright. This is a very bad lifting position for the user. They may fall forward, even if they don't damage their back.
(These are safety issues, so if I am wrong then I need to be proved wrong.)
I'm sure you all can think of mitigations and work arounds for the above issues. It might also make a good exercise for students in how to model or test a human user's range of movements.

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