# Dual-Purpose Disaster Furniture The 'Afloat' Couch Functions as a Rescue Boat During Floods By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2020-04-21 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/afloat-couch References: [yankodesign](https://www.yankodesign.com/2020/04/20/this-couch-turns-into-a-rescue-boat-for-natural-disasters/) The 'Afloat' couch has been designed by Max Bitsan as a functional piece of furniture for the modern home that could offer potentially life saving support for those who live in areas where [natural disasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lift-house) are more prevalent. The furniture piece features a [geometric design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fossil-furniture) that allows it to seamlessly fit in with other modern accoutrements in a living space and offer a comfy place to relax. In the event of a natural disaster like a flood or tsunami, the couch can be transformed immediately into a lifeboat for escaping ones home to safety. The 'Afloat' couch is designed in both the multi-person version as well as an [armchair option](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/johannes-faurebrac) to make it suitable for different preferences or living space requirements. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 73% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Multi-purpose Furniture:** The 'Afloat' couch exemplifies the trend of furniture that serves multiple functions, offering new opportunities for innovative designs and features. - **Disaster Preparedness:** The 'Afloat' couch taps into the trend of designing products specifically for natural disaster situations, presenting opportunities for creating more solutions to help people during emergencies. - **Seamless Integration:** The geometric design of the 'Afloat' couch showcases the trend of furniture seamlessly blending into modern home decor, presenting opportunities for creating more aesthetically pleasing and functional furniture pieces. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Furniture Design:** The 'Afloat' couch highlights the potential for innovation in the furniture industry by merging functionality and safety for disaster situations. - **Emergency Preparedness:** The 'Afloat' couch offers opportunities for innovation in the emergency preparedness industry, as it serves as a potentially life-saving piece of furniture. - **Home Decor:** The seamless integration of the 'Afloat' couch with modern home decor presents opportunities for innovation within the home decor industry to create furniture that is both stylish and functional. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Flatpack Oceanic Lifeboats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fold-and-rescue-lifeboat.md) - [Envelope-Packaged Couch Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/couch-in-an-envelope.md) - [Versatile Modular Couches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transformer-couch-20.md) - [Modular Inflatable Furniture Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/transforming-sofa.md) - [Inflatable Campsite Couch Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bote-aero-couch.md) - [Scandinavian-Inspired Floating Daybeds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/poolsofa.md) - [Expanding Three-in-One Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/expandy.md) - [Modular Eco-Sourced Cozy Couches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-transformer-couch.md) - [Grow-at-Home Sponge Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sponge-furniture.md)