Forget the latest home magazine focus on space-saving techniques utilizing color coded storage bins. That’s all old information information spun into newer issues anyway. Offer your small space an Ergon – the newest spatially efficient “spin” in the form of a rototranslating door that does just that.

Ergon. Designed by Venetian Celegon.

Developed by an Italian company known as Venetian Celegon, the doors were designed to take up as little space as possible. They’re modern, rotatory and translatory moving doors that utilize a central axis. By opting out of the typical door on side hinges and going for a door with a central axis allowing it to slide on a track, the Ergon doors cut the necessary doorway space down by 50%. Besides that, it’s fluid function brings out the dorky side in a person, and reminds me of butterfly car doors since they open up both sliding out to the side and up. Although strange looking at first glance (and perhaps even second) the profile of a gliding portal makes absolute sense.

Even though Venetian Celegon has been around for over forty years, their Back to the Future-esque door design lends itself to the futuristic crowd but designed with specific needs in mind. The Ergon was developed in accordance with Italian Law 626/94 and worldwide hygiene-health regulations that call for “frequent and quick antiseptic cleaning” – meaning they are useful in hospitals, schools, nurseries, homes and any type of public place. Additionally, the smooth gliding door can be installed into spaces for wheelchair-accessibility.

To install your choice of a sleek wood or metal Ergon door into your space, all that is required is a normal sub-frame. It comes with a 50 mm leaf thickness made from a heartwood honey-comb hard double panel that is covered in a plastic layer and protected on vertical sides with aluminum. The metal sight frame is made of anodized or lacquered 10/10 or 12/10 aluminum sheets. Besides specifying the materials, choose a handle made from aluminum or nylon and a key lock to accessorize the door.

Before you invest in quick-fix hanging toiletry sets or under the bed storage systems, add character to your quaint space by going for the pivot and slide Ergon instead.