SAVING SPACE WITH FURNITURE DESIGN

ONLINE SURVEY RESULTS 2016

MASTERS DISSERTATION
for the attainment of the Master degree in Product Design

MASTER STUDENT
Sara Mendrico Pereira Ferr da Ponte

JULY 2016

1
 INDEX

3 1|Need for space

6 2|Relationship with your home
11 3|Furniture Shopping
14 4|Space-saving Furniture
38 5|Personal information

2
 NEED FOR SPACE

What do you prefer?

Imagine you had some extra money and wanted to raise a family, but didnt have enough
space in your current house. What would you do?

Assuming all of these options have an equivalent cost, would you rather:

3
 NEED FOR SPACE

Which of these benefits would convince you to pay extra money for space-saving furniture?

Which of these things have you abstained from doing because you didnt have enough
space?

4
 NEED FOR SPACE

If you could afford it, how many people would you like your household to have?

Do you need more space or an extra room? If so, what for?

Have you ever suffered from overpopulation consequences? If yes, which ones?

5
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR HOME

In average how much time do you spend at home?

What do you prefer?

How much furniture do you have?

6
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR HOME

In which room do you enjoy more spending your time and why?

What is your favourite piece of furniture you own or would like to, and why?

7
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR HOME

Do you have a piece of furniture you use less in your home? If so, which one?

Which of these phrases do you identify with?

8
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR HOME

Is there any activity that you would like to, but have abstained from doing inside, for any
reason?

Give me an example of flexible furniture in your home.

9
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR HOME

What difficulties do you encounter when cleaning your home?

Would you like your home to have a different layout?

Robotic cleaners can vacuum and wash your floors and walls autonomously, but they can
be expensive. Would you consider buying one?

10
 FURNITURE SHOPPING

When you are buying furniture what does more commonly happen?

Is there any specific furniture you have wanted and never found available?

Where do you do research on furniture you plan to buy?

11
 FURNITURE SHOPPING

Your last furniture buy was because you...

How much money would you/have you paid to furnish your home?

12
 FURNITURE SHOPPING

What factors do you value when buying furniture ?

Essential

Important

Somewhat Important

Not Important

At the time, are you planning to buy furniture?

13
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

If you were planning your home remodelling, why would you use or not use any of these
solutions?
STORAGE

14
 YES MAYBE NO
Gain Space Only use if needed Unpractical, lose floor space to put
furniture
Easy Access Useful but later I would put furni- Dust would enter
ture on top
FLOOR STORAGE Doesnt obstruct passage Would have to move furniture to
open
Wouldnt be free to place carpets
on top
Difficult Access
TATAMI FLOOR Pretty I dont sit on the floor I dont sit on the floor

STORAGE Dont understand how it works

Practical Takes too much space

TATAMI STORAGE Saves Space
MODULES Multifunctional
Pretty
Efficient Only use if needed May be tiring to use
BUILT-IN CEILING
Saves Space Difficult to install in an apartment If broken I cant repair it
STORAGE
Difficult to apply in my house
Pretty Difficult Access
RAFTER BOOK
STORAGE Saves Space Difficult to apply in my house, no
rafters or high ceilings
Frees Floor Space Ugly
SLIDE/HANGING
Gives minimalist look to the room Unpractical and Dangerous
CEILING STORAGE
Doesnt interfere with anything Difficult access
Practical, Functional, Easy Access
STACKABLE BOOK- Saves Space
SHELF Modular and Customizable
Adds flexibility to the room
Not pretty but maybe useful in Ugly
kitchen or bathroom
HUNG TRAYS ON Not useful
THE WALL Dangerous
Takes up space
Hard to clean
Doesnt require extra staircase Doesnt need housework Dangerous
Easy Dont know how it works I am short and have bad eyesight so
cant use it
STORAGE Saves Space Useful
STAIRCABINET May lose balance
Wont use if it must be attached to
the wall
May be broken if used as stairs
Saves Space Practical Not practical
Pretty Pretty Ugly
Practical, Functional Organization My walls are fragile, cant hang
Useful Adaptable to a specific space Cant change my space
Adds flexibility to the room There is need Lack of space, equipment and
money
NONE IN I live small already Saves Space Not useful
SPECIFIC To store things I dont use Easy Fragile
Original Prefer to get rid of things
Adjustable to any situation
Allows for deep renovations
Organization
Easy
15
Doesnt obstruct passage
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

If you were planning your home remodelling, why would you use or not use any of these
solutions?
TABLES

16
 YES MAYBE NO
Already use Only if needed space Untidy
Already use but unpractical because I have Eating must be relaxing Unpractical because I have store everything on
DESK/DINING store everything on top everytime i swith top everytime i swith use
use
TABLE
Any table can do this Dont like mixing eating and working
Adapts to my lifestyle
Adaptable to many situations Interesting Cant have things on top of the table
Pretty If built-in
Multifunctional Only if needed space
For occasional use May not be useful
WALL/TABLE Gives airy look to the room
Smart although cant put anything perma-
nent in front of wall
Yes, although I would leave it unfolded
most of the time
Useful for guests
STANDING/ Adaptable to many situations
DINING TABLE Already use it
Doesnt have to be moved often
Adaptable to many situations Dont need a low table
COFFEE/
Multifunction
DINING TABLE
Good for house with lack of space
For sick people For sick people Dont like eating in bed
Practical Would end up not using it
Useful I use trays
For breakfast or working in bed Unstable
PULL UP TRAY
Pretty Unpractical
Needs to have lightning put somewhere else
Adaptable to many situations
Multifunctional
Multifunctional Fragile
MIRROR/ Unpractical
TABLE Looks like na art work
Useless
Useful Would have to take everything off the table
Practical Rather have a drawer
TABLE WITH
Easy access to stored items Wouldnt buy
STORAGE
Adaptable to many situations Dont like the openings
Would use to store tableware
Comfortable Spend much time sitting in a table Dangerous
Yes although may be dangerous Live in a country with very cold Ugly
weather
Yes although I dont usually sit on the floor Sitting on the floor
KOTATSU Cant phisicaly be bent down for long
Different heights- different emotions
Not higienic to have blanket
Cant put feet under table
Not useful
Not for meals, only for decoration Dont like seeing animals caged
Not useful
Outrageous
COFFEE TABLE
Doesnt make sense
WITH BIRD
Not hygienic
CAGE
Not funny
Unpractical
Takes up space
Saves Space Pretty Unpractical
Functionality Need Takes time and effort
Practical and current If I had a multi-use room Dont need
Multifunctionality Depends on the place Dont use many tables
Easy Practical Heavy
Occupies less space Price Difficult
Pretty I like normal tables
NONE IN Storage Lack of availability
SPECIFIC Flexible Dont like glass tables
Adjustable to any situation Multifunction
Comfortable Ugly
Useful Looks fragile
Would use even if most of the time they Wouldnt do these remodellings
werent stored
17
Young vibe
Avoids moving furniture all the time
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

If you were planning your home remodelling, why would you use or not use any of these
solutions?
SEATING

18
 YES MAYBE NO
ENVELOPE Useful in small spaces Fragile
Easy storage Dont buy plastic
FOLDING
Flexible Prefer furniture ready to use
CHAIR Dont like unfolding furniture
Useful in small spaces Comfort Doesnt look long-lasting
FLEXIBLE Easy storage Pretty Fragile
EXTENSIBLE Flexible Fragile Dont use benches
CHAIR Ecological
Pretty
Extra seats Easy to assemble or disassemble
Easy storage Would accept as a gift
Useful in small spaces White is always difficult to clean
FIVE BENCH
Multifunctionality
CUBE
Pretty
Fun
Useful
Multifunctionality Dont like to sit on the floor
FLOOR Pretty Wouldnt match the rest of the furniture
MULTIFUNC- Already use tables and chairs
TION CARPET
Rather sit on a couch or chair and eat on a
table
Sit on the floor all the time Cool but wouldnt match my Dont like to sit on the floor
LEGLESS furniture
CHAIR (ZA-
If I can screw legs onto it I like chairs with legs
ISU)
Not useful
Has many possibilities Customizable I lack space
To make a circle for people to sit Interesting Would get dirty with pets
Multifunctionality 2 Versatile
MODULAR
Have guests Original
SOFA
Functional Comfort
Comfortable
Useful
Collapsible If needed to optimize space Uncomfortable
Storage Comfortable Fragile materials for people with pets
Functional Easy to convert Prefer comfort to design or image
As an alternative or additional seats Matches with the house Dont like the struggle to get up from the
floor
To help sit on the floor for long If needed Dont want to sit on the floor
Practical Not useful
Current Dont buy anything in plastic
NONE IN Size Lack of availability in the market
SPECIFIC
Saves Space Not my taste
Pretty Prefer my furniture
Comfort Not practical
Ecological Dont need
Recyclable Ugly
Adapts to needs Not right for my age and lifestyle
Modular
We already do

19
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

If you were planning your home remodelling, why would you use or not use any of these
solutions?
BEDS

20
 YES MAYBE NO
Interesting If its easy to repair and recycle Dangerous
LIFT BED TO Easy to assemble Beds are a central point for me
CEILING Afraid it would fall
Difficult to assemble
For guests If I had regularly guests and Ugly
lack of space
SOFA/BUNK
Easy to assemble
BED Pretty
Saves Space
Pretty May not be stable Ugly
Saves Space Beds are a central point for me
MURPHY BED
Multifunctional
Flexible
Multifunctional Lack of space Comfort
Comfort If I had a small house Too much work
For guests Easy to convert Prefer normal beds
Takes up little space If easy to use Looks unstable
Practical Dont have space, money or material to do
this
Current Only use bedroom to meditate and read
Yes, even tough they are more breakable Difficult to assemble
due to daily use
NONE IN Saves Space Dont need
We already do Ugly
SPECIFIC
Hideable
Pretty
Flexible
Adjustable to any situation
Functional
Doesnt interfere with decor
To use only occasionally
Modular
We already do

21
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

If you were planning your home remodelling, why would you use or not use any of these
solutions?
ENTERTAINMENT

22
 YES MAYBE NO
Interesting When I use a piano I put music sheets and
pencils on top
Original Dont play piano
PIANOTABLE Hideable Needs to be always available
Practical A musician wouldnt use a furniture instru-
ment
Pretty Concern about quality
Easy If I had little space Not interested in pingpong
Original Dont want sports inside
May damage other furniture
PINGPONG
Ugly
DOOR
Useless
Doesnt have required size
Walls reduce visibility
DINING Original If I had space to put it Not interested in pool
Hideable
TABLE/POOL
Takes up little space
TABLE For guests
Hideable If I had Money Dont need
Doesnt interfere with decor Yes but with diferente examples Cant afford
Multifunctional Dont like multifunction
Takes up little space Prefer to go out
Fun Wouldnt do this in na apartment
Practical
Current
NONE IN Easy to assemble
Pretty
SPECIFIC
Flexible
Quick entertainment
Combines two activities that would
never be at the same time
For guests
Functional
Original
Saves Space

23
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

If you were planning your home remodelling, why would you use or not use any of these
solutions?
ALL-IN-ONE

24
 YES MAYBE NO
Useful
Easy
SOFA/ Saves Space
BED/DESK/ Practical
STORAGE Innovative
Flexible
Multifunction
Useful Messy
OFFICE/
Pretty Im not organized
BEDROOM/ Cute
LIVING Easy
ROOM/ Saves Space
Practical
STORAGE
Innovative
Useful Only if I lived in a room or an Not versatile
attic

GESTURE Easy
Saves Space
ACTIVATED
Practical
KITCHEN BED Innovative
AND TABLE Flexible
Multifunction
Interesting
Practical If I lived alone Messy
Current If I needed more space Unclean
Pretty As a last resort Out of the question
Flexible If I live in the minimum space I like separating work from pleasure
possible
Multifunctional Too multifunctional
Adjustable to any situation Difficult to repair
NONE IN Cool Dont need
SPECIFIC Comfort Monotonous
Adapts to needs Unhygienic
Save Space Would feel squeezed
Couldnt use two things at the same time
Id have to be always in the same place
Cant imagine living like that
Id use a Living Cube
Dont want to fold away bed every morning

25
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

If you were planning your home remodelling, why would you use or not use any of these
solutions?
BATHROOM

26
 YES MAYBE NO
Useful Unhygienic
Uncomfortable
Untrustworthy
Ugly
Difficult
Multifunctional
SINK IN A
Hard to install
DRAWER
Useless
Humidity
Smell
Difficult to clean
Plumbing
Unpractical
Hides ugly things As long as everything fits in Ugly
WASHER Saves Space
CABINET Organization
Pretty
Pretty Saves water Unhygienic
Saves Space Uncomfortable
Practical Ugly
TOILET SINK
Useful
(W+W)
Interesting
Saves water
For small spaces
Ingenious Unhygienic
Uncomfortable
Ugly
COMPACT Difficult
BATHROOM Multifunctional
Squeezed
Doesnt adapt to my house
Unpractical
Fragile
STANDING Ugly
Difficult
MIRROR/
Multifunctional
IRON BOARD Dangerous
Unpractical
Intuitive Depends on the price Prefer things separated
Doesnt interfere with decor Storage Lack of space, money and means to do it
Practical Design Difficult to understand
Easy Useful Prefer normal bathrooms
Because its for a room I use less Simple Dont need
Storage Easy Out of the question

NONE IN Pretty Saves Space Im too old-fashioned

Flexible
SPECIFIC
Multifunctional
Bathrooms are usually small so theres
need to save space
Saves Space
Design
Original
Useful
27
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

If you were planning your home remodelling, why would you use or not use any of these
solutions?
KITCHEN

28
 YES MAYBE NO
Its common
Practical
Useful
HIDDEN
Saves Space
RUBBISH BIN
Higienic
Pretty
For a family house
Useful I close it putting my cutting board
ENCLOSED
Saves Space Smell
KITCHEN
For a kitchenette Humidity
SINK For a family house Useless
Useful Must be always accessible
Saves Space Unhygienic
Practical Smell
DOG BOWL
Only for food, not water Humidity
DRAWER
For a family house Animals should be outdoors
The dog cant open it
Water should always be available
Useful Practical Looks too much fun
Saves Space Interesting Smell
If saved space Humidity
ROTATING Plumbling
KITCHEN I like fixed appliances
Little storage
Not practical
Cost of repair
Only for the garden Dont have anywhere to take it to
May be dangerous to take it to a place
MOBILE where theres no fire safety
KITCHEN Prefer traditional kitchens
Smell
Humidity
Not useful
Dont need
Pretty If it doesnt require several Not useful
energy outlets
For shared houses Dont need
MODULAR
For student dorms
FRIDGE Useful
Innovative
Avoids smells
Intuitive If my house was really small Ugly
Flexible If I needed space Dont need
Multifunctional Too minimalist
Modular I like traditional kitchens
Practical Too messy
Storage
Saves Space
NONE IN Pretty
SPECIFIC Dynamic
Interesting
Comfort
Design
Innovative
Yes but in a big kitchen
Useful 29
Hygienic
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

If you were planning your home remodelling, why would you use or not use any of these
solutions?
KITCHEN

30
 YES MAYBE NO
Change of environment Unpractical
Practical Must move things out of the way
HOUSE Flexible Acoustic and thermal insulation
SLIDING Multifunctional Reduces Space
WALLS To hide spaces Unorganized
Expand space
Adapts to needs
Comfortable Reduces Space
Unorganized
SLIDING TV
Not important
WALLS
Messy
Unpractical
Useful Walls should be firm
Practical Like open spaces
Reduces Space
REMOVABLE
Unorganized
WALLS
Doesnt perform like a wall
Unpractical
Acoustic and thermal insulation
Pretty Dangerous
Stylish Unhealthy family
Gains Space Difficult to access
SECOND Separate bed from the rest Scared to drop things to the floor
FLOOR BED Practical
Useful
Saves Space
Easy
Transitioning space from exterior to Dont usually walk barefoot
interior
Practical Dont want to waste a room just for shoes
Useful Why would I close a room if I gain no priva-
cy with it
GENKAN Saves Space
Easy
Hygienic
Good habit
Comfort
Useful
Flexibility As long as they block out noise Unpractical
Multifunctional rooms Must move things out of the way
ROOM
Easy Acoustic and thermal insulation
PARTITIONS
Not useful in Portuguese homes
Acoustic and thermal insulation
Flexibility If needed more space Too complex
Storage If it matches the home Undisguised
Adapts to needs Lack of space, money and means
Expands space Too much work
Practical Better without it
Easy Too modular
NONE IN Pretty Dont want to move walls around
SPECIFIC Multifunctional rooms
Comfort
Already use
Different
Useful
Quick
31
Save Space
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

What do you like about the idea of flexible walls?

How much would you like to store things in these places, in order to gain space?

32
SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

33
SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

34
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

Order of preference between all:

Love to

Like to

Dont mind

Rather not

Hate to

How would you like your furniture to be? Decide between wanting the furniture to be
ready to use at all times, or stowed when not needed

35
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

From all of the space-saving furniture and layouts, which ones are more attractive to you?

36
 SPACE-SAVING FURNITURE

Is there any furniture you realize you needed when answering this questionnaire?

37
 PERSONAL INFORMATION

How many people and pets live in your household?

In 70 answerers 42 animals and 170 people were mentioned as part of all households.
The average number of people per household is 2.42 and the average number of pets per
household is 0.6.

Your home is:

38
 PERSONAL INFORMATION

How big is your house?

How far away from the city do you live?

39
 PERSONAL INFORMATION

Are you a student?

What is your monthly income?

Do you have a vacation home?

40
 PERSONAL INFORMATION

What is your gender?

What year were you born?

41
 PERSONAL INFORMATION

What is your ethnic background?

In what country do you live?

42