Transformers

No, we’re not referring to those 1980s robots that morphed into otherworldly vehicles and weird weapons or to the 2009 movie of the same name, starring Shia LaBeouf as the young (and very cute) hero. We’re talking about a new wave of furniture that undergoes a change in appearance and even, in some cases, a change of function. To wit, a sofa that becomes a bed (and we don’t mean the old-fashioned pullout variety), or a coffee table that grows to dining height. We think you’ll be a convert.

Photo descriptions, left to right, first row:
On the Rise Need extra seating for a dinner party? The Crescendo table by Pagnon & Pelhaître starts out at cocktail table height. At dinnertime, raise the base and open the top to seat six guests. The three-quarter-inch hinged surface is available in ebony stained oak, gloss white or gloss black on a steel base in white or black. $2,475–$2,595, depending on finish. LIGNE ROSET, BOSTON, (617) 451-2212, WWW.LIGNE-ROSET-USA.COM

Hide and Seek Inspired by Japanese anemone boxes that are traditionally used to stash family heirlooms, this pillow-cum-storage unit not only looks great on a sofa or a bed, it unfolds to offer the perfect place to hide the remote or an extra pair of PJs. It measures about fifteen inches in diameter and comes in a variety of prints. $90. ROCK PAPER SCISSORS, WISCASSET, MAINE, (207) 882-9930

Morning Till Night Like the little black dress, the Versa #6050 sofa elegantly transforms from day to evening. Release the extra set of legs hidden in the back of the piece, then unlock and drop the back to reveal a forty-nine-inch-wide bed. The sofa measures 77” x 38” x 36” and is available in beige, brown or black. $999. BOCONCEPT, CAMBRIDGE, (617) 588-7777, WWW.BOCONCEPT-US.COM

Two for the Price of One The Gregory is a rug that transforms, origami like, into an ottoman. But unlike the fine Japanese art, it requires little or no folding. Simply pull the button in the center of the red felted wool rug to form the ottoman, which measures 29.5 inches square with a height of 15.25 inches. $725. LIGNE ROSET.

Photo descriptions, left to right, second row:
The Art of the Cocktail Like a piece of kinetic sculpture, four of the five layers that make up ModLoft’s Crosby cocktail table rotate out from the base to make more room for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. When it’s closed and none of the layers are extended, it measures 25” x 25” x 12”. With layers fully extended, it grows to forty-one inches. Find it in wenge with alternating red panels or walnut with alternating black lacquer panels. $800. ITALIAN DESIGN, BROOKLINE, (617) 731-4222, WWW.ITALIAN-DESIGN.NET

Now You See It, Now You Don’t Last time guests visited, they didn’t notice the wheeled Spider chair. That’s because it was… the ottoman. Pull up, push out and presto chango. Consider the Spider chair, by Giulio Manzoni for Flexform, your own little magic act. It comes in a host of fabrics including the cotton duck, shown. STARTING AT $2,344. SHOWROOM, BOSTON, (617) 482-4805, WWW.SHOWROOMBOSTON.COM

Stack Pack Talk about multi-tasking. The Squat table can be a coffee table, seating for two or a chic shelving system. Made of birch plywood, high-pressure laminate and polished aluminum, the Squat table measures 40” x 15” x 13.5” and comes with a white, red or black seat. An outdoor model is made of Western red cedar and clear anodized aluminum. $229 ($399 FOR OUTDOOR VERSION). VESSEL, BOSTON, (617) 292-0982, WWW.VESSEL.COM

Tried and True Maybe the original transformer, the slipcover was once used to protect the living-room sofa from the strong summer sun. Now linen slip-covered sofas are de rigueur. Lee Industries has an entire line of “coveralls” that look fresh and modern all year long. Shown here is the Lee Apartment sofa (#C1822-11-0209), a compact 71” x 36’ x 41”. $2,100. C. BESTON AND COMPANY, HANOVER, N.H., (603) 653-0123, WWW.CBESTON.COM

Photo descriptions, left to right, third row:
Knot What You Think Coil it, wrap it, swag it or string it, and this nautical-inspired light changes from a hanging lamp to a reading lamp to a bedside lamp. It’s up to you and your imagination. $385–$565 DEPENDING ON STYLE AND SIZE. J.E.M., BOSTON, (617) 391-0490, WWW.JEMHOME.COM

Magic Act Change any room into a guest room with the Twilight Sleep sofa. A compact sofa with a bolster pillow that adjusts to three different positions, the sofa further converts into a daybed, two twins or a larger-than-queen-size bed. (Just move the bolster out of the way and place the top cushion on the floor.) The sofa has a removable slipcover. $1,800 AS SHOWN, $1,680 WITH ALUMINUM FRAME. DESIGN WITHIN REACH, BOSTON, (617) 451-7801, WWW.DWR.COM