25 chairs and armchairs that every furniture lover must know

If you like the design or just want to add a signature seat to your project, check out these ideas:

To the inexperienced eye, a chair it’s just a chair. Being the best place to rest and relax after a long day, a chair is often associated with comfort.

But the truth is, a really good chair has a permanent place in design history. Over the past few decades – and sometimes even centuries – some designers have created chairs that are so impressive that they change the way we decorate our spaces. Suddenly, a chair is more than a chair: it is a status symbol.

Do you want to improve your design skills? Here we separate the 25 most iconic chair designs of all time. Whether you’re discovering these styles for the first time or learning something new about your favorite chair, one thing is certain: a simple chair has a lot to offer. Check out the details below:

Eames Lounge and Ottoman

What better place to start than with the Eames Lounge? Designed in 1956 by Charles and Ray Eames, this elegant style has long been considered “a special refuge from the stresses of modern life”.

The soft leather-covered upholstery and molded wood frame provide unparalleled comfort, while the accompanying ottoman makes it the perfect place to relax. But did you know that the Eames were inspired by the glove worn by a first baseman in baseball?

Despite the 65 years since its creation, this chair remains the great slam of furniture.

Ming dynasty

Politics can have a big impact on the history of design. Proof of this was when the Ming dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644: the country created beautifully decorated pieces, now known as Ming dynasty furniture.

Known for its clean lines and subtle curves, this historic chair style can transcend time and trends.

Side chair in Eames molded plastic

Why stop at two chairs when the Eames molded plastic side chair basically defines mid-century modernism? Built in the 1950s, this design proves that chairs can be simple, sculptural, and mass-produced. While this might seem obvious now, it was a nice achievement at the time. Since then, the Eames molded plastic side chair has been reinvented with sustainable materials.

Louis XIV

As the mastermind behind the Palace of Versailles, it is safe to say that Louis XIV is known for his opulence. But it turns out that the former king of France also has a great eye for chairs.

Known for its high back, soft upholstery and ornate details, the Louis XIV chair remains the epitome of old-school elegance.

fork

It turns out that Ming Dynasty furniture is so influential that it actually inspired another iconic chair design. When he created the iconic Wishbone Chair in 1944, Hans Wegner was inspired by a painting of Danish merchants on Ming chairs.

Since then, this piece has become a staple in elegant dining rooms and offices. The Wishbone Chair may seem simple, but it actually requires over 100 manufacturing steps.

tulip

When Eero Saarinen designed the now famous Pedestal Collection in 1957, he wanted to create furniture that was beautiful from every angle. Or, in his words, find a solution to the “ugly, confused and restless world” under the tables and chairs. The designer swapped traditional legs for an elegant tulip base, and the rest was history.

Eames LCW

As two of the most influential designers of all time, it’s no surprise that Charles and Ray Eames have more than one chair on this list.

The duo revolutionized the world of chairs with the LCW chair, made with heat, a bicycle pump and a machine that molded plywood. This concept was so revolutionary in 1946 that Time magazine called it one of the best designs of the 20th century.

pantone

Verner Panton’s homonymous chair is something without equal. Not only is it incredibly chic, but it’s also made from an easy-to-clean polypropylene. Finally, this impressive piece is the first mono-material chair to be made in the history of design.

Luigi Phantom

For an updated take on old-school French elegance, check out the Louis Ghost Chair.

Inspired by the Louis XVI armchair, cousin of the aforementioned Louis XIV style, designer Philippe Starck has reinvented this extravagant silhouette in a single piece of injection-molded transparent polycarbonate. The result? The perfect cross between the old and the new.

ball

Walk through memory with Eero Aarnio’s Ball Chair. This mod subculture style debuted at the Cologne Furniture Fair in 1966 and has been a mainstay of design ever since.

Navy

Although Emeco’s Navy chair was built for use on submarines in 1944, it has become a welcome addition to any room in the house.

As if the sleek design of this option wasn’t eye-catching enough, you’ll be amazed at the intense 77-step process required to build the chair. According to Emeco, his artisans also shape and weld the soft and recyclable aluminum by hand.

Yoruba

Anyone who takes a “more is more” design approach will find a lot of love in the Yoruba chair. Originally made for the kings and queens of an African tribe called the Yoruba, these seats are embellished with thousands of tiny glass beads.

If that’s not impressive enough, this chair can take up to 14 weeks to complete.

Cesca

Cane and rattan might seem like a relatively new trend, but as Marcel Breuer’s Cesca chair demonstrates, fabrics have been in fashion since 1928. The designer offset the breeze of rattan and wood materials with a tubular steel frame. (Fun fact: this chair is named after Breuer’s daughter, Francesca).

Wassily

But, of course, Breuer is best known for the Wassily chair, which he designed in 1925. Present everywhere from design museums to TV shows like Frasier, this option is considered the first bent steel tubular chair.

Jeanneret floating office

Do you want to upgrade your home office? The floating office chair by Pierre Jeanneret masters the balance between work and private life.

The designer originally created the piece for Chandigarh administrative buildings in India in the 1950s, but has since gained popularity.

Before

Believe it or not, Arne Jacobsen’s Ant chair has a lot more to offer than just good looks. With cascading edges and a slightly curved seat, this option is designed with your body’s needs in mind. No wonder it has been an “it” chair for nearly 70 years!

Platner

Among the cushions strategically placed on the steel rod frame, Warren Platner’s eponymous chair is comfortable and chic in equal measure. This iconic design can give off an effortless vibe, but each chair requires up to 1,000 welds.

Egg

Did you know that designer Arne Jacobsen perfected the Egg chair’s innovative silhouette by experimenting with wire and plaster in his garage? Since then, this elegant style has become the crown jewel of Scandinavian design.

Womb

Convinced that iconic chair designs can’t be comfortable? We present the Womb Chair. When he was commissioned to design this chair for Florence Knoll in 1948, Eero Saarinen wanted to create “a chair that was like a basket full of cushions”. Mission accomplished.

Large LC3 model

Speaking of comfort, you will love the LC3 Grand Modele armchair, which was Cassina’s answer to the typical armchair. Built in 1928, the steel frame of this option is decorated with soft cushions, making you feel like you’re sitting on the clouds.

butterfly

Butterfly chairs might be an essential dorm room these days, but let’s not forget that Knoll put it on the map in the past. Although the chair was originally designed by Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy in 1938, this chair was so popular that Hans Knoll included it in his eponymous catalog from 1947 to 1951.

barcelona

There is a reason why Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s chair has been loved by everyone since 1929. With square cushions, eye-catching tufts, and a sleek frame, this chair exudes modern elegance. Although the Barcelona may seem simple, it is actually clad with 40 individual panels.

Papa Bear

Hans Wegner has designed nearly 500 chairs over the course of his career, but Papa Bear is definitely a favorite. One critic compared the model’s outstretched arms to “big bear paws hugging you from behind”.

aero

Let Herman Miller create the most iconic office chair: In 1994, the company hired Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick to design the Aeron, a “human-centered” chair. This style has bridged the gap between form and function for 25 years, thanks to its ergonomic construction and sleek silhouette.

Forum rocking chair

Of course, we couldn’t have a conversation about iconic chair designs without mentioning La-Z-Boy’s best-selling Forum Rocking Recliner.

Immortalized in Joey and Chandler’s apartment in Friends, this heartwarming and shaking style was designed with comfort in mind. Go ahead and relax.

* Via my domain

Source: Terra

Benjamin

Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.