When the Floor Becomes Your Furniture

You'll be floored when you hear that your next office, dining room, and sofa might literally roll up into the same piece of carpet. That is, if the clever, space-saving Japanese design by student Shin Yamashita can be marketed to the American masses....

The prototype carpet, called "Land Peel" works like this. The "carpet" is a foam floor covering constructed of panels that flip and fold like a futon. Unlike a futon, however, a few the origami-like folds transitions the Land Peel into everything from a table to a backrest, footrest, pillow, or - get this - drink tray.

A custom-fitting lamp serves as a table leg so you can use the carpet as a desk, too...