Wait, It Folds Down Flat? IKEA's Clever New KOMPISHÄNG Side Table Is a Dream for Small Spaces (and Frequent Movers)

IKEA KOMPISHÄNG Side Table in living room styled with pot plant, sunglasses, and trinkets, with books underneath, an armchair next to it, and a wardrobe in the background.

Having lived in four London flats in five years, I'm no stranger to the chaos of moving house: palming unwanted books off on friends, questioning whether I really need separate summer and winter duvets, and reluctantly selling furniture that's simply too awkward to haul across the city. One thing I've learnt? The easiest pieces to transport are the ones that stay with me move after move. That’s why IKEA’s new KOMPISHÄNG Side Table immediately caught my attention. It folds flat and can be slung over your shoulder, turning a cumbersome table into something remarkably portable. (BYO table, anyone?)

Folding tables tend to follow a familiar formula, with butler and bistro styles relying on A-frame legs. This new IKEA design takes a far more elegant approach. Designed by David Wahl, the KOMPISHÄNG side table disguises its practicality within a sculptural cylindrical silhouette, so you'd never guess it collapses down in seconds. Better still, the circular base doubles as an integrated handle, making it as easy to carry as a tote bag.