platsbesparingen

Platsbesparingen, literally space-saving, is a term used in Swedish and Norwegian design discourse to describe methods to reduce the amount of space required for use, storage, or operation of a person or object. The concept covers architectural planning, interior design, product design, and logistics, with the goal of increasing usable area, enabling higher density, or reducing land and building costs.

Within architecture and urban planning, platsbesparingen supports compact housing, efficient floor plans, and vertical construction. Techniques include multi-functional rooms, wall-mounted or foldable furniture, built-in storage, and appliances integrated into cabinetry; stacking or modular systems; and the use of vertical space and mezzanines. The approach often intersects with transit-oriented development and small-footprint housing models.

In consumer products and workplaces, space-saving designs emphasize modular or collapsible components, lightweight materials, and streamlined workflows that minimize required space for storage, assembly, or use.

Advantages include more usable living space, lower land consumption, and potential energy savings through shorter piping or wiring runs. Disadvantages can include higher initial costs, reduced comfort or accessibility, maintenance complexity, and challenges for long-term adaptability or accessibility if poorly designed.

Critics caution that space-saving should not come at the expense of livability or inclusivity, and that urban densification must be balanced with quality of life considerations.