It is one thing to create a simple stool or side table from corrugated cardboard, but quite another to use the same material to make a dining room table that can handle spills or a king-sized bed to support the weight of two people. Cardboard furniture sounds absurd on the surface: can it really hold up to the demands of everyday life? Australian company Karton says yes.

Karton has worked out a solution for essentially any piece of furniture you can imagine, including complete bedroom, office, dining and living room sets that can be (at least partly) water-proofed with water-based polyurethane and paints.

No fasteners or tools are required for construction – folds and tabs make assembly a self-contained process in each case, while instructions provide a helping hand as well. And for a few hundred dollars for a full set of bedroom furniture, cost is a somewhat secondary issue, too.

The complete collection includes a barista and a bistro table, a box and a hex stool, paperpedic beds and under-bed drawers, and a series of stackable shelves and other slotted storage solutions … and to round it all off: a sheep-shaped, free-standing shelving unit, too.

Recycled paper and non-toxic, vegetable-starch glues make the products in turn recyclable. While they do not speak to high-design seekers, perhaps, these items could be perfect for a student dorm, bachelor pad or other semi-temporary dwelling that needs short-term furnishings.

About KARTON

“KARTON is what you get when you leave a stack of cardboard or polypropylene sheets in a room with some of the world’s brightest engineers and designers.”

“KARTON is affordable, durable and beautiful. It’s also 100% recyclable. Move it, flatten it, store it or leave it exactly where it is. Discover the flexibility and convenience of furniture you can assemble in minutes without tools, disassemble and store and move around with ease, whether at home, in the office, at a trade show or an event.

“KARTON is about keeping things simple and easy – proof that quality  design can also be affordable and accessible. It’s available exclusively online, so there’s no middle-man. JOIN THE FOLD and see for yourself.”