# Expandable Furniture Reinier de Jong's REK Coffee Table Grows and Shrinks as Needed By Meghan Young | Published 2012-02-02 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rek-coffee-table References: [core77](http://www.core77.com/blog/furniture_design/reinier_de_jongs_expandable_rek_coffee_table_21657.asp) & [reinierdejong](http://www.reinierdejong.com/2012/01/rek-table/) The REK coffee table puts other space-saving furniture to shame. Just like the [REK bookcase](http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/expansion-bookshelf-rek-design-grows-with-your-need), it boasts an expandable design that allows it to accommodate different needs at different times. Created by Rotterdam-based designer Reinier de Jong, the REK coffee table grows and shrinks in a much more compact form than the REK bookcase. When completely closed, the REK coffee table resembles a simple block of wood. But like a nesting doll, it features smaller components within that slide out when [extra surface space](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magnolia-extendable-dining-table) is required. Concealed, built-in stops ensure that a person does pull out those sections too far. The REK coffee table is available in three finishes: oak, birch and beech. All come with either a laminate or custom-requested surface. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.6/10 - Popularity: 94% | Activity: 95% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Expandable Furniture:** The expandable design of the REK coffee table offers a disruptive innovation opportunity for the furniture industry to create versatile and space-saving solutions. - **Nested Design:** The nesting doll-like concept of the REK coffee table presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for designers to create furniture with hidden compartments and extra functionality. - **Customizable Surfaces:** The option to choose between laminate or custom-requested surfaces on the REK coffee table opens up a disruptive innovation opportunity for the surface materials industry to provide personalized options. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Furniture:** The furniture industry can capitalize on the expandable and nested design trends to create innovative and adaptable pieces for small spaces and changing needs. - **Interior Design:** The concept of expandable furniture like the REK coffee table can revolutionize interior design, offering more flexibility in space planning and optimizing the functionality of compact spaces. - **Surface Materials:** The customizable surface options on the REK coffee table indicate a disruptive innovation opportunity for the surface materials industry to offer tailored finishes to cater to individual preferences and design aesthetics. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Adaptive Furniture Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/expand-furniture.md) - [Bookshelf-Incorporated Coffee Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/overlap-table.md) - [Industrial Shapeshifting Table Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jointable.md) - [Minimalist Book Storage Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pocket-coffee-table.md) - [Expanding Three-in-One Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/expandy.md) - [Compact Functional Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookmarker-table.md) - [Spinning Storage Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/diy-spinning-coffee-table.md) - [Dynamic Sculptural Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-transformation-table.md) - [Multifunctional Sleek Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flex-furniture.md)