From the Remix line, an extendable oak desk based on the classic Davenport silhouette is updated with the addition of four colorful compartments.

Wegner's design boats a storage compartment beneath the seat.

Matthew LechowickHidden media console, is a mix-and-match cabinet integrating household media components, and Reveal, a wall clock that tells time by rotating 72 individual wood pieces.

The architects designed the bamboo-plywood storage compartments above the hallway, bathroom, and bedroom closet.

Taking the concept of the storage box to the wall, the Onecase is a wall-mounted, colorful system. Designed by Søren Ulrik Petersen for Onecollection, the Onecase can perform numerous functions. It can be used for book storage, holding a picture frame, or displaying treasured knickknacks. Comprised of two connected open cubes, the Onecase is available with an open back or with colorful back covers.

French company Bacsac creates innovative products that can be used for a variety of purposes, indoors and out. Made of a double-walled, 100 percent recyclable geotextile fabric, the innovative trio planter maintains the balance between air, soil, and water. The planter can be used for flowers or vegetables, and is an excellent option for organizing a garden on a patio or deck. When not in use, the flexible, lightweight bag can easily be folded and stored, making the Trio Planter a more versatile option than traditional ceramic pots.

The Twin Bag was designed by Klaartje Martens for Maharam. The bag is made of a waxed canvas, which is a durable, waterproof material with a visual texture. The bag is held by two nylon handles, and features two distinct sections and interior pockets for easy organization. The Twin Bag is reminiscent of traditional tote silhouettes, but it features a visible seam on either side, as well as gently sloped corners. The result is a bag that is at once utilitarian and distinctive, that can be used as a commuter bag, shopper, or even as an oversized purse.

Japanese "tansu" stairs with storage compartments underneath.

The built-in bench that borders the cantilevered bed features two storage drawers and a hatch that accesses an additional storage compartment.

The dwelling is raised on three marine-grade, aluminum-alloy flotation tubes, each with five sealed compartments for extra safety.

The interior of the Murphy bed compartment is lined with a stained cork panel and contains a smaller shelving unit for bedside reading, alarm clock, and reading lamp.

The second floor houses three lits bretons, boxlike compartments where the curtains can be drawn to close sleepers off from the world. Inside, each has a built-in shelf for personal belongings and a favorite read.

Photo caption: The base of the stairwell includes a hidden compartment to conveniently store shoes.

Overhangs on the south facade create compartments around each interior room, and offer protection from the elements.

The master bath vanity, in a natural oak finish, includes custom details with contemporary lines and hidden compartments.

OmieBox, pre-order for $49.50 at omielife.com (ships December 2014) This nifty lunchbox features flexible compartments—an extra divider allows for additional configurations—plus an insulated bowl unit that keeps a dish hot or cold until lunchtime. (The compartment can also be removed in order to fit a sandwich.) A leafproof gasket keeps everything tightly sealed.

The compartments on the sea-facing facade are one of Sundberg's favorite features of the design. They "work on a lot of levels," he says.

Close-up stair to sleeping loft with storage compartments, including back-lit acrylic display box

A drop-down door in Coil + Drift’s Rex credenza reveals a mirrored compartment ideal for barware display and storage.

In the kitchen, the custom cabinets contain special compartments that hide appliances from sight. The room draws in natural light from the balcony.

Welcoming and cozy, the bed is decadently spacious and is set upon hydraulics, which can easily be lifted to reveal even more hidden storage compartments.

Moveable library-style shelving units slide from side to side to reveal and hide compartments that serve various functions in the Madrid apartment by PKMN Architectures.

A mini closet provides space for a washer and dryer while space underneath the stairs adds even more storage. Several stair treads are also hinged, revealing hidden compartments.

The team also cleaned up and preserved the original control panel. "We relocated it to the overhead compartment above the banquette as a nod to its history," says Cole. "We try to do this as much as possible."

The bathroom is accessed via a partition door with a full-length mirror. The room also features a sizable shower, a dry toilet with a stainless-steel bucket and chip compartment, a large wardrobe, and a washing machine.

An architect couple uses multifunctional furniture and a hydraulic Murphy bed with secret compartments to keep the exterior walls uncluttered and achieve a clean and lean look in their 650-square-foot Chelsea apartment.

This 450-square-foot apartment includes an origami-like desktop that unfolds to reveal a perforated-steel divider that allows the passage of computer cables hidden inside the office compartment. This transformer-like cabinet helps maximize limited square footage.

The living room, where the Martinezes spend most of their time, is the largest room in the home. The sofa, which is also a pull-out bed, features a storage compartment in its base and cost $600. An accordion rack ($30) is a convenient place to hang accessories and plants.

The living area holds a table with seating for eight. There is also a sideboard, a surface for food preparation, and ample storage compartments for backpacks and climbing equipment. Two wooden sleeping platforms with mattresses can sleep up to eight people, and small solar panels provide minimal lighting.

The Box Appetit is a larger version of the Bento Box with two compartments.

“It was important to the client to be conscious of the environmental impact of their rolling home,” says designer Matthew Welsh Weinberger. “We went with a dual-compartment composting toilet, a Nebia shower unit, and solar for much of the daily power needs. We eventually switched not only the bus, but also the gas generator, to a sustainable diesel alternative.”

This playhouse-like area is extremely customizable. Guests can personalize their stay by selecting which of the compartments they choose to use, leave open, or close. The 540-square-foot structure is cladded with a crisp, whitewashed exterior that contrasts beautifully with the timber interior. Thanks to the clean lines and minimalist design, the suite has a sophisticated aesthetic.

“At the end of the cabinet, one finds a small compartment for their beloved dog, Lucky, to eat her meals," Choe shares. "The client told me their cat also likes to nap in this nook. This wasn't the intent, but I'm delighted that the cat has found a way to make a room out of it.”

The floating vanity unit maximizes space efficiency, featuring open and closed storage compartments with warm wooden tones, reinforcing a balance of form and function.

Hand-molded brass hardware and dovetail drawer compartments designed to house storage compartments for all of our storage needs.

The doors that close the four compartments were thought with this premise in mind. These are large plans that, when opened, are integrated without obstructing circulation, allowing the various compartments to become just one.