A game set in the future, either near or far, can be ergonomically enhanced with some functional furnishings that help set the scene. A good storyteller will show evidence of what’s changed, rather than just lecturing on imaginary historical events. We also assume that our futuristic descendants will be more creative and clever than we are in the modern age, and their spaceships and cyber-apartments should help reflect that intelligence with smart designs. Let’s find some inspirations to help us illustrate and elucidate our room descriptions.
Ottoman Origami
Our assumptions about the future include a common, dystopian theme of overcrowding either due to population growth, rising sea levels wiping out livable land masses, urban conglomeration, or close proximities due to space travel. Whatever the cause, space will be at a premium. What your players find in their future-rooms whist exploring should reflect that mentality.
Folding Furniture Video Inspiration
- Accordion wall-screens that block sound and light.
- Beds that slide into walls, descend into the floor, or hideaway in the ceiling.
- Flat-fold furniture that looks like 2D wall art.
- Programmable shapes that turn into whatever you need.
- Tables that double as cold storage or a pantry.
- Transparent furniture that makes you think it’s not a cluttered apartment.
- Window-walls that move on slide-rails.
Transportable Trappings
The gig economy is already upon us, and most made-up 
tomorrows take this idea of mandatory travel at a moment’s notice to the extreme – mass migrations of people who nomadically search for new resources to consume, outcast groups fleeing local upheavals, and wandering cyber-mercenaries looking for paydays. Space travel and planetary exploration is inherently mobile, as is off-the-grid living. Such a maneuverable lifestyle might warrant some ambulatory accessories to make moving days a little easier.
Off-Grid Inventions Video Inspiration
- Box-shelving that clips onto wall magnets.
- Chair that you wear (on your butt!).
- Collapsible pressure shower.
- Fabrics that generate power as you move.
- Portable kitchen cart.
- Suitcase cubicles and other offices-in-a-box.
- Home on wheels.
Digital Decor
Seeing how many devices most of us have in our modern homes, one can easily extrapolate into a future setting where just about everything under a roof (and probably the roof itself) is somehow connected to The Internet of Things. Assuming all our space snacks are able to order themselves when they get low and our robot vacuum/roommate changes the health-tracking toilet paper roll, we might look at what other possibilities could come to be in this electronic frontier that seems not so far away.
Funky Future Robot Apartment Inspiration Video
- Bathing pods with built-in audio systems.
- Chairs that drive themselves.
- Desks that double as a computer unit.
- Desks that track your every movement at all times.
- Floating tables.
- Neon light-ropes.
- TV tables, literally.
- Or, just live in an abandoned warehouse and wear Augmented Reality glasses all the time to digitally display the furniture you wish you could afford!
