City dwellers are adapting to escalating house prices by living in smaller, more flexible spaces, and designers are responding with furniture that makes the most of every inch of the floors, walls, and even the ceiling. We've pulled together 10 of the best examples (+ slideshow).
This bed can be hoisted up the ceiling when not in use. It was designed by French furniture manufacture Décadrages as an alternative to the Murphy folding bed. Find out more about BedUp »
The Living Cube by Till Könneker
For small but tall apartments, this wooden box by Swiss designer Till Könneker combines the functions of multiple pieces of furniture, with a platform for a queen-sized bed, a storage space or workspace underneath, and a wall of shelving that can incorporate a TV, fold-down desk, wardrobe and minibar. Find out more about the Living Cube »
In 2014, Ikea's annual limited-edition collection focused on furniture for city-dwellers with small spaces and uncertain rental terms, with clever storage solutions that don't need to be permanently attached to the wall. Many of the pieces are still in production. Find out more about the Ikea 2014 PS1 collection »
Staircase made of cupboards by Schemaa
To make the most of the space in this tiny Parisian apartment, architecture studio Schemaa created a built-in wooden centrepiece combining an alternating-tread staircase with a wall of cupboards. Find out more about Schemaa's micro-apartment »
Dalt storage system by Jordi Iranzo
Design graduate Jordi Iranzo spotted that many storage solutions for small spaces were missing a trick by not making the most of the ceiling, so his four-piece Dalt system is suspended with a pulley system. Find out more about the Dalt storage system »
This wooden cube by Naho Matsuno is just 35 centimetres on each side and separates out to make six stools, making it a compact way to keep extra chairs for visitors. Find out more about Cube 6 »
Mirror by Kaschkasch Cologne for Menu
If you like freestanding mirrors but don't have anywhere to put one, this design by German duo Kaschkasch Cologne slots neatly into an unused corner of a room, and its frame can also be used to hang clothes. Find out more about Mirror by Kaschkasch Cologne »
Sling chair by Note Design Studio for Fogia
Small homes don't always have enough space for a big, upholstered lounge chair, so Note Design Studio reduced the dimensions of a typical version to fit into more compact spaces. Find out more about the Sling chair »
Dorme sofa bed by Silje Nesdal
Norwegian designer Silje Nesdal produced this contemporary take on the sofa bed, covered in reversible Kvadrat fabric, as part of her masters degree project investigating compact living and small apartment spaces. Find out more about the Dorme sofa bed »
As If From Nowhere by Orla Reynolds
This white bookcase is made up from units of two or four squares, which allow colourful chairs and tables to slot into them for storage when not in use. Find out more about As If From Nowhere »