Flat-pack Revolution

From PRACTICAL ORIGINS to CUTTING-EDGE DESIGNS, flat-pack furniture proves it can be smart, sleek and anything but basic.

- JO BUITENDACH

FLAT-PACK FURNITURE HAS COME A LONG WAY from its practical, no-nonsense beginnings. What started as a simple solution for easy shipping has evolved into a distinct design language, embraced by big-box brands and independent studios keen to experiment with form, materials and craft. Also known as ready-to-assemble or kit furniture, today's flat-pack pieces come in neatly boxed components that are meant to be assembled at home. Manufacturers break each piece down into its essential parts, pack it compactly, and leave the final assembly to the consumer.

Its biggest strengths are affordability and ease of transport - but flat-pack is also versatile, adaptable to different spaces and often more eco-conscious to ship. The trade-offs include effort of assembly, the potential for decreased durability, and designs that can sometimes feel generic, with limited customisation.

BEFORE IKEA

Ready-to-assemble furniture has deep roots: cabinetmakers have long designed pieces that could be taken apart for transport. But one of the earliest, most influential examples is Michael Thonet’s No. 14 bentwood chair. First produced in 1859, the "bistro chair” was engineered to be disassembled, shipped efficiently and reassembled with ease. More than 160 years later, No. 14 is still in production - a testament to the enduring appeal of smart, compact design.