EINDHOVEN, Dec 27 — Magnetic furniture that snaps together without the need for a single screwdriver could be the future of the flat-pack interiors industry.

The “MAG” (Magnetic Assisted Geometry) range by Benjamin Vermeulen debuted at Dutch Design Week in October, and has been causing a stir within the design world.

The collection includes a chair, desk and a set of modular cabinets, all of which are held in place by magnets, and can be assembled and disassembled repeatedly without any effect on the structural integrity of the pieces.

Minimalist steel sheets and wooden frames form the main components of each piece, lending the range an industrial vibe, with options such as glass available as cabinet doors.

The table is held together by metal pegs that slot into magnetic leg tubes, while the chair seat simply clips into place on its two-part frame.

“Shipping furniture unassembled is more economical and more environmentally friendly,” said the Dutch designer.

“But flat-packed furniture is often made from low-grade material and its assembly is far from straightforward.”

Vermeulen’s invention, which is not yet in large-scale production, is the latest in a series of innovative developments that attempt to move away from the traditional flat-pack construction process.

In 2012 Belgian studio Noumenon unveiled a prototype for self-assembling furniture that expands into its form “like popcorn” when “baked”.

The chair, the creation of designer Carl de Smet, is made from shape memory polyurethane, a type of memory foam.

“The idea is that you can buy it in a local store,” de Smet told the BBC earlier this year. “It’s a small package, you put it under your arm, and you carry it home because it’s also super light.

“Then at home you plug it into electricity,” he said. “Ten minutes later your chair will be ready.” — AFP/Relaxnews