Category: Furniture

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Furniture

The BU Desk lets you create your own desk space

It’s reminiscent of those old typing tables from the days before computers. Except that The BU Desk offers more versatility and has a more esthetically appealing design. BU Desk allows users to customize their desk for their specific needs. Besides functioning as a standard desk, it can also work as an elevated drawing board, easel, offer a duel computer monitor space, function as a social space for games, or a place to gather for small group meetings. In addition, it folds up to be stored away easily.

The dimensions of the desk are not clearly indicated, and it looks as though it may need to be secured to a wall rather than being self-standing, making it much less convenient. Backers may also want to check out the Zestdesk portable desk, Lappito, and iTray campaigns. This campaign seeks to raise €35,000 (~$43,600) by December 24, 2014. Backers can get the basic kit for €165 (~$210). Larger contributions get more options. Expected delivery is May 2015.

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Furniture Kids/Babies

Lemon Pie kids’ furniture enables the ultimate couch pillow fort

When you’re a kid, there’s nothing like building a fort to play in. All of the pillows, blankets and cushions in the house must convene in order to make the perfect fort. Lemon Pie was designed to give traditional fort-making materials a break. This product is made of different parts that can either be assembled into a couch or chair and then reassembled into a fort or any other kind of fun structure for kids. Designed from soft, flame-retardant materials, this is perfectly safe for children.

The oddly-named Lemon Pie certainly offers function not only for children, but for adults as well. It looks fun and forces kids to be imaginative in the way they build their forts. While it’s not the most attractive piece of furniture around, it’s still great for parents who don’t want their living room to become a full-blown play area. For the most basic chair, backers can donate $335 with estimated delivery in April 2015, if Lemon Pie can reach its $15,000 goal on Kickstarter.

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Furniture Organization

Flat-pack shelving structure organizes in a giant hexagon

Shelving units pretty much come in one shape consisting of horizontal parallel shelves that hold your stuff in a straight line. Ruche offers a different look. Shaped like a hexagon, this shelving unit has seven slots able to fit anything from shoes to pots and pans in the kitchen. According to the campaign, these shelves only take seven minutes to assemble. For moving or reorganizing, the shelves fold completely flat for ease of transport.

This Israeli product is not only practical, but also features a hidden Star of David in its center for more spiritual backers. Ruche comes in either cardboard or aluminum and each material boasts three different sizes: small, medium and large. The campaign does a great job of displaying all the different ways Ruche can be used and is convincing in showcasing the product’s usefulness and versatility. You’ll also get your choice of color with a $65 donation for a small aluminum Ruche with an estimated delivery date of February 2015. This product is looking to raise $15,000 on Kickstarter.

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Furniture

ReadyDesk stands up for large, two-level work surfaces

If it’s actually true that sitting is the new smoking, and that even an hour of exercise can’t burn off an entire day of sitting, one might consider cutting back on the chocolate and eating more fruits and veggies instead. But that hobby horse aside, ReadyDesk was designed as a part of the war on sitting that may have actually gotten its start in Corporate America right about the time the technological revolution began in the 20th century. Funny how no one is willing to study if it’s the computers that are the problem rather than remaining seated at them all day.

Anyway, for those who believe that standing will mean that they will get out of cutting back on all those candy bars at work, this desk is touted as being able to be ergonomically correct no matter what a person’s body build is because it is very adjustable. And since it’s made from recyclable Baltic birch, even those who are environmentally sensitive can feel good about standing at this particular desk. This campaign seeks to raise $18,900 by December 5, 2014. Backers get one desk for $189 with an expected delivery of January 2015.

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Furniture

Mobi shelves a standalone nightstand

Space-saving gadgets can make for some wonderfully convenient solutions, whether living in a small home, or a large one rife with clutter. Mobi is a nightstand that doesn’t require wall space, just a bed. The zig-zag shape is what causes it to stay in place, with the bottom portion getting tucked in between the mattress and the box spring. There is also a section to stow a few magazines and a small slit in the table lets a mobile device charging cord hang straight from the device so that it doesn’t fall off of the table. The table can also be used easily with a couch. The product is made of brushed aluminum, and there are also multiple wood effect options from which to choose.

While the dimensions of the table aren’t noted in the campaign, it appears that it is roughly the length and width of a magazine. Not a great deal of space for a nightstand, however, Mobi still seems like a high-quality purchase. This campaign seeks to raise $5,000 by December 23, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for $45, with an expected delivery of February 2015.

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Furniture Technology

Redidesk is a desktop PC that’s serious about the “desk” part

Classroom computing is hot button topic nowadays. School districts are pouring ungodly sums of money into procuring the most advanced technology for their children only to have it broken, stolen, or just plain ignored by teachers who care to use their time in a more constructive way. There’s no doubt that it’s important to integrate a sound digital curriculum, but it seems like the way it’s done now racks up bills without much to show for it.

The REDIDESK is a promising all-in-one touchscreen computing solution built within a classroom desk. This combination reduces the chance of breakage or theft, and makes it easier for instructors to integrate computer learning into the curriculum without wasting time, hoping for no technical difficulties. REDIDESK is Wi-Fi enabled and its retractable computer screen still leaves lots of desk space for students to learn with. For example, it offers many orientations to facilitate group work. The desk is also easily assembled, and inventor Darren Riley hopes this aspect will offer the community of those who the REDIDESK will eventually serve the employment opportunities necessary to be empowered. Any donation amount goes toward their $70,000 funding goal so that they can begin a pilot program in Baltimore to test the REDISDESK out on a larger scale. From there, they’ll have enough data to put the desk into production.

The work done here with the REDIDESK is admirable, especially the push to create more employment opportunities in those underserved areas where the REDIDESK would cater to, but the link between superior education and computing remains to be seen. Technology cannot act as a replacement for traditional teaching, something a project as well-intentioned as REDIDESK may not completely understand. In any case, the idea is interesting, and barring exuberant costs for schools themselves, should do well considering school districts will do anything to save a buck.

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Furniture

Wobbly Baron chair keeps moving around to keep you on your toes

Is it a chair or a toy? The wobbly effect is reminiscent of the children’s toy Weebles, but this is designed with adults in mind. Since working at a computer can get pretty boring, Baron can add some fun to your workday in the form of a unique chair. The gray cushion on top gives a bit of posterior comfort to the white, translucent plastic body. The rounded base is filled with several liters of concrete.

While this makes for a great wobble effect, shipping this baby is going to cost some bucks. Also, it may not be the best type of chair for those who have back issues since it doesn’t offer back support, or for those with osteoporosis issues since it will take some time to get used to sitting on it without tumbling over. But it does seem like a fun piece of furniture to own for the young and young at heart. This campaign seeks to raise $30,000 by December 9, 2014. For $300, backers get one chair with an expected delivery of January 2015.

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Furniture

Sitpack offers portable respite in a one-legged stool

Sitting on the ground waiting in an insanely long line for the concert of your favorite rock star can be plenty uncomfortable. But it was this situation that inspired the creator of Sitpack.  From a more practical standpoint, waiting in a crowded airport, subway station or train station can be just as daunting, and who knows what awaits unsuspecting travelers should they actually brave the floor. Sitpack is a portable chair made of stainless steel. It folds up small enough to be carried in the back pocket of one’s jeans, a backpack, or purse. While it doesn’t look particularly comfortable and it’s not entirely clear if there is a weight limit in connection to its effectiveness, it does seem like it would be very convenient for commuters and travelers, much like the Purrch.  Backers who prefer more back support in a portable chair might want to check out Chair-Pak and NeXstep. This campaign seeks to raise kr450,000 (~$75,000 USD) by November 29, 2014. Early bird backers get one product for kr175 (~$29 USD) with an expected delivery of April 2015.

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Furniture

ManBuffer is the center console your couch never had

Nothing is more disappointing during those times of relaxing than when the beer and munchies run out and one has to actually get up off the couch and go get more. So the creators of ManBuffer set out to change that. Their apparent mission in life is to find like-minded men who will take on the important life goal of a relaxation station for every American couch – well, okay, other countries can participate too. This center console holds two open cans or beer bottles, and it appears that it stores up to eight in the cooler section. It’s not clear what the measurements are for couch compatibility purposes, but it comes in multiple color choices to help keep the little lady happy. In order to make sure there’s enough room in the fridge for what doesn’t fit in the ManBuffer, backers might also want to check out the Bottleloft campaign. This campaign seeks to raise $10,000 by November 11, 2014. Early bird backers can get theirs for $45, with an expected delivery of December 2014.

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Furniture

Zestdesk portable desk works while you stand, travels where you walk

One of the hardest parts about having a desk job is sitting for eight hours a day. The lack of movement tends to make muscles and joints feel tight and a bit stiff after a few hours. The creators of Zestdesk have come up with a solution that lets you stand up and work at the same time.  It’s made of anodized aluminum, offers adjustability for a monitor, keyboard and mouse, and is lightweight. While it appears that raising and lowering the legs may mean clearing off one’s work station first, it does offer the convenience of folding up and a carrying handle for maximum portability. Another campaign offering an easily storable workspace is Refold, but this item is made of cardboard. Other portable desk options include StorkStand, Frey Desk, and StandDesk, but not all of these offer the same adjustability and durability as the Zestdesk. Zestdesk seeks to raise at least $10,000 by November, and early bird backers can get in on this Australian product for $337 AUD with an expected delivery of April 2015.