And you thought that there were only pop-up stores, pop-up books and pop-up greeting cards. How about pop-up and pull-out furniture? For instance, a coffee table that’s flush fitted with multiple drawers, a regular foot-stool that unfolds into a small day-bed, dining tables that extend to accommodate more diners and lounge chairs that convert into sofas at the press of a button.

Since living spaces are getting smaller, contemporary design married with intelligent functionality is the call of the moment. Whether you’re looking to dress up a studio apartment or a bachelor’s pad, there’s always room for a multi-utility, pop-out piece.

A slew of designer brands and furniture stores are out to woo small apartment owners. Gandharv Gombar, director of Delhi’s Kanu Kitchen Kulture, which retails products of international furniture brands including Rolf Benz and Huelsta, says that there’s a huge demand for space- saving furniture. “Most international furniture brands are known for the ‘hidden features’ that their products offer. Today, people spend a lot of time before their home theatre systems. So, a sofa that can modify into a recliner chair is most welcome,” he says.

Monica Khanna of The Delhi Design Store, a boutique furniture store in Delhi, says: “Since pop-out furniture offers more than just one function it’s also value-for-money.”

Here’s looking at some of the more intriguing (and useful) pieces of furniture in designer studios.

Raising the bar

This is a fun piece with serious storage. It has markings of ‘Handle with Care’ and ‘Fragile’ on the outside and looks like an attractive teak wood-and-leather crate. But open it up — from the top and sides — and it converts into a fully-functioning, plush bar with mirrored tiles and red-lining. It’s complete with a wine rack, and there’s space for your bottles, bar tools, ice bucket, coasters and trays.

Get it at: Portside Café, Delhi, or online at www.portsidecafe.com

For: Rs 2.09 lakh

Modular beds anyone?

Here’s a bed with side tables that slide and stretch out to make for makeshift tables (perfect for your morning tea). Venero by Huelsta is a cocoa-lacquered accent bed with a headboard (which can be clad in leather if you like) with store space behind it. Ideal to keep your books and knick-knacks and that’s not all, it comes with a detachable footboard.

Get it at: Kanu Kitchen Kulture, Delhi (delivers products across India)

For: Between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 10 lakh depending on your modifications.

Turn the table

This coffee table by BoConcept does it differently as the lift-able board tabletop converts it cleverly into a table. As sections of the tabletop can be lifted to a higher level, you can work on your laptop or take a coffee break in utter comfort. And there’s lots of storage space as well.

Get it at: Online at www. boconcept.in

For: Rs 49,750

Telly talk

This one’s for you if you need additional storage in your television cabinet, to fit in the jungle of wires and even a pouffe (that comes with the cabinet)! Additional space is offered by drawers at the bottom of the cabinet.

Get it at: Alchemy, The Store at 337 CRC Building, M.G. Road, Delhi or online at www.alchemythestore.com

For: Rs 1.04 lakh

Conversation piece

A popular piece at Ebony Gautier, this coffee table can add to the storage in your living room. Designed in pinewood, painted in tones of silver, it otherwise functions as an objet d’art.

Get it at: Ebony Gautier outlets or online at www.ebonygautier.com

For: Rs 25,000

Table treat

Made in rich teak wood, this coffee table has lockable drawers on all four sides that pop out. “A lot of buyers have told us that these tables make for the most unusual hiding places for their valuables. Sometimes they even leave precious items in them when they travel,” says Khanna of The Delhi Design Store.

Get it at: The Delhi Design Store, Sau Phoota Road, Mehrauli, Delhi, or online at www.thedelhidesignstore.com

For: Rs 96,000