Transformers? Not Exactly

Metamorphic furniture - around for ages but reaching its height in Georgian Period - was partly pieces to show off, partly legitimate space saving technology:

https://www.google.com/search?q=metamorphic+furniture&client=firefox-a&hs=PIi&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=5bJwUYmLBKrA2QWIkoGgAw&ved=0CDEQsAQ&biw=2387&bih=1112