Oh, we think we’re so clever with our storage ottomans and Murphy beds. As it turns out, double-duty furniture has a long and rich history. Pianos turning into beds, bookshelves turning into tables, even, incredibly, a sofa that transformed into a bathtub. A cousin of campaign furniture, metamorphic furniture was designed to change functions and often involved moving parts. It became particularly fashionable in the 18th century partially as a way to save space, but also as a display of ingenuity and engineering. Here are some fascinating examples from the past:
