# Stretched Textile Tabletops The Tension Desk Affords Tots a Soft Surface for Food and Fun By Amelia Roblin | Published 2011-10-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tension-desk References: [industrialdesignserved](http://www.industrialdesignserved.com/gallery/Tension-Desk/1331421) The innocuous nature of your home can transform into a virtual construction site before you eyes, the moment a young child enters through the door. It's objects like the Tension Desk that are the ideal sorts of furnishings to have when [curious and uncoordinated kids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tobifant) come over to play. This brightly-colored creation is easily assembled from [soft-coated components](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookmarker-table) and a tightened fabric top. It's lightweight, flexible and is one less item to pose as a risk for potential injury. Despite the flimsy impression given off by the [cloth crafting and eating surface](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tumble-tables), the Tension Desk by Carlos Pendas is actually quite stiff. The material is hooked to pegs around the perimeter of the tabletop, and a simple rotation of each pole into place makes the fabric effectively taut. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 14% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, 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 ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Flexible Furniture:** Designing furniture that's lightweight, soft-coated, and flexible to avoid potential injuries from accidents involving kids. - **DIY Design:** Introducing DIY design kits that allow customers to make lightweight yet easy to assemble and disassemble furniture at home. - **Convertible Surfaces:** Developing convertible surfaces in furniture like tabletops that can be adjusted to different levels for different activities and age groups. ### Where This Applies - **Furniture:** The furniture industry can focus on creating lightweight and flexible yet sturdy and safe furnishing options for customers. - **Education:** The education industry can incorporate convertible surfaces for desks and tables to facilitate different learning and play activities among children. - **Retail:** The retail industry can offer DIY design kits that can provide customers with an affordable and customizable way to design and assemble their furniture at home. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Fabric-Like Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tablecloth-side-table.md) - [Humorous Quick Cleanup Workstations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flip-desk-concept.md) - [Dynamic Sculptural Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-transformation-table.md) - [Undulating Fabric-Topped Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/groove-table-concept.md) - [Playful Modular Kids Sofas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twiny-sofa-system.md) - [Adjustable Laptop Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cosi.md) - [Rolling Leather Bookshelf Desks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stretch-desk.md) - [Transforming Imaginative Furniture Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kiddie-couch.md) - [Modular Play-Friendly Desk Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/desk-concept.md)