In this new era of working remotely, where our living rooms are now virtual conference rooms and our breakfast tables moonlight as cubicles, our makeshift workspaces and home offices certainly leave a lot to be desired. Too often these days we find ourselves typing away while hunched over diminutive desks or taking calls from the dangerously comfortable depths of the sofa—not to mention the fact that papers, files, and office supplies have all but laid siege to the cocktail table.
Now more than ever, we see functional yet good-looking furniture as an absolute necessity, but perhaps the thought of an actual desk invading the sitting room or setting up permanent shop in the bedroom is far from ideal. Enter the versatile attributes of campaign furniture, one of design history's most beautiful—and practical—moments, which has a renewed purpose for life today.
Originally designed to be transported and assembled by traveling armies between battles, campaign furniture reached its zenith during the Napoleon era of the early 19th century. Highly convertible and portable, these furniture pieces, from folding stools and tables to small chests and washstands, were designed with elements like collapsing and removable parts to be easily broken down. A lot can be learned from these adaptable pieces and, in this work-from-home world where just about any space is a newly minted office, what could be better than furniture that can effortlessly transform from day to night or even move between rooms?
Take, for example, the beloved secretary desk. By day, the drop-front is open to reveal a perfect perch for your laptop and, by night, it's closed to conceal all evidence of a day at work. Filled with interior and exterior drawers and compartments, secretaries also provide ample storage, too, which proves useful for keeping work supplies tidy and out of sight.
There's also the ever-important drop-leaf table, which deftly changes size to accommodate any sort of task and pieces on casters, thanks to convertible leaves, which can be moved around on a whim. And don't forget the folding chair: These indispensable and transportable seats are just the ticket to create a work station out of any table, and they can be folded up and hidden away when the day is done. (Just make sure to have an upholstered or sling seat for extra comfort!).
Here, we've gathered 13 beautifully versatile furniture pieces, from foldable tables and convertible desks to portable chairs, that are certain to make any room a productive work space, whether temporary or not.