A little hidden storage goes a long way toward making pieces functional, and adding an element of surprise in the process:

Ms Moneypenny by Yomei: A twist on the traditional Biedermeier secretary, Ms Moneypenny’s fan-shaped leather hood is accented by stainless steel joints. Along with channels for multiple sockets, the desk features three stainless steel doors and a secret compartment. www.yomei.de

NAiF by Carina van den Bergh: Debuted at this year’s Milan Furniture Fair, NAiF is a collection of multifunctional pieces; a chair becomes a cabinet when the seat is flipped and individual components can be arranged together to create the look of bench seating or a long console, depending on the desired effect. www.carinavandenbergh.com

Secret by Zeitraum: Designed by Markus Schmidt, the Secret Collection conceals storage compartments for writing utensils and small electronics (and their cords) within the familiar shape of traditional school desks. The piece is available in oak, knotty oak, American cherry, American walnut. www.zeitraum-moebel.de

&Ability Table by Alberto Fabbian: Designed in collaboration with Antoniazzi & Piovesana, 3B Ceramiche, and Bosa Ceramiche, the table combines wicker, wood, and ceramic to create a system of compartments and components that can be used according to the owner’s needs. www.albertofabbian.com

Varia Duo by Aaro: Designed for the increasingly popular work-from-home lifestyle Philipp Schuler’s design morphs from work table to dining table thanks to a hidden channel for cords and office supplies. www.aarodesign.ch