As your personal product concierge, I do the laborious part: extensive research, scrolling through the range and focusing. All to inspire you and make sure all you have to do is click «Add to cart». This time, my aim was to find well-designed chairs.
Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
Because the Community wanted to know more about chairs in my last poll, I’ve put together my top 10 of the best. These also include some cheap yet good alternatives to design icons – so-called dupes – as well as originals. I limited myself to models without armrests because they have a decisive advantage: whether for the dining table or your desk, they can be pushed right up to the edge of the table, leaving a little more space around them.
I chose the Kave Home chair because it can be the perfect option in many ways. The upholstery makes it comfortable, but it still looks light and is available in various shades of beige and grey. These neutral colours mean that it fits seamlessly into any room. The best part, however, might be the surprising silhouette, which could be inspired by the Saarinen Conference Chair. This was designed by Eero Saarinen for the manufacturer Knoll International and also has a hole in the backrest. What you should do with this chair, however, is waterproof it to prevent stains on the fabric cover.
Knoll Dupe: the «Mael» is an updated, upholstered mid-century design. Source: Kave Home
The contemporary «Form» series by Normann Copenhagen is also reminiscent of classics such as the famous Eames Chair with its plastic seat shell. Yet it still does its own thing. Connecting elements ensure a smooth transition between the seat and the frame. They fit different leg types, so you can combine them well with different chairs. The «Form» is also available in numerous variations: as a dining chair with optional armrests and a wooden or metal frame, as well as a range of bar stools and bar chairs. However, be aware that the spindles on this model can cause visual clutter if you have a lot of chairs at a table.
The chair leg joints give the «Form» character. Source: Normann Copenhagen
The design of the «Analy» dining chair has a seat that’s handmade from woven paper rope. Not only is it eye-catching, it also ensures that you land softly without any padding or seat cushion because it has a bit of spring. The chair is available in solid oak with a brown, black or clear finish. But the pretty weave remains the same. The only disadvantage is that the friction while sitting can cause the ropes to become brittle in some places over time.
The «Analy» is perfect for bringing a touch of nature into your home. Source: Kave Home
A transparent piece of furniture like the «Ghost» has several advantages. For example, it merges with its surroundings. Its transparency makes even small rooms appear large and doesn’t obscure the dining table or carpet. This shows off the rest of your furnishings to their best advantage. But the best thing is that although dust settles on other furniture, on the «Ghost» it remains invisible to the eye – like its namesake. If that’s too spooky for you, the design is also available in different colour variations. Unfortunately, though, small scratches won’t go unnoticed. Because, unlike with wood grain, they don’t fit into an existing pattern as elegantly.
Transparent polycarbonate like the «Ghost» is a chameleon when it comes to style. Source: Kartell
The «Clip» is seating that gives the room a welcome lightness and a calm splash of colour. The back features a cool frame in the same colour as the metal base, creating a soft silhouette. However, the cushion that’s pulled over the seat with a metal shell provides comfort. The «Clip» comes in three versions: black-grey, beige and grey, all of which should be waterproofed to protect the fabric surfaces from stains.
The «Clip»’s metal frame appears to keep the backrest and seat balanced. Source: Zuiver
The curved shell of the «Beetle» chair by Gubi is intended to be reminiscent of the contours of a beetle, which inspired design studio GamFratesi to create this design. It makes the chair light, flexible and eye-catching. This is supposed to make sitting for long periods more comfortable. The «Beetle» is also available with a UV-protected shell and legs. That’s why you can use it both indoors and outdoors. Unless you choose the even more comfortable seat cushion or upholstered version, which will cost you a little more.
With its organic shape, the iconic «Beetle» chair by GamFratesi is eye-catching. Source: Beetle
If you’re looking for something unexpected to wow your guests, consider the «Option». Designer Frederik Roijé’s stackable chair for Puik essentially consists of two geometric shapes: a circle and a rectangle. This makes it timeless and adaptable. With its curvy backrest, it nestles up against any table or neighbouring chair from the same series or others, so you can combine it in your home as you wish. You may find that you need to mix and match, because, unlike the other models in this list, the seat of this model is relatively narrow and not suitable for all body sizes.
The sculptural «Option» chair is strong both on its own and in a group. Source: Puik Design
Although the «Strap» dining chair by Thomas Hayes Studio is beautiful, very few people have 3,000 dollars to spare to buy one, let alone a set. The similarly designed «Aya» chair is a little more affordable. It’s handmade and combines an acacia wood frame with a woven leather seat. When you bring it home, you should make sure you place it in a shady spot because the natural material can fade in sunlight.
«Aya» combines two classic natural materials. Source: Nordal
The designer piece «3107» by Fritz Hansen is significantly cheaper than the «Strap», but no less iconic. It symbolises modern furniture history and was designed by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen in 1955. The chair is part of a whole range and can be ordered with upholstery, a leather cover, armrests or even with wheels. Because it’s made from nine layers of moulded veneer, it’s both flexible and strong at the same time. The curved profile is complemented by slim, tubular steel legs that extend just above the edge of the seat, allowing chairs to be easily arranged in rows or stacked. What’s wrong with it? Well, for some, the chrome leg version may look too cold. But its curves still give it softness.
The shape is timeless, versatile and gives the design character – without being bulky. Source: Fritz Hansen
This stackable seating was originally designed by Bruno Rey and was the first chair to receive a patent for its unique screwless wood-to-metal connection. Now Dietiker has teamed up with HAY to relaunch the Rey «chair». In addition to the screwless joints, the round silhouette is remarkable. It makes the chair appear soft, even though it’s made of robust beech wood. «Rey» is available with or without seat upholstery and as a children’s chair, bar chair and in many different colours – from red to light blue to beige. The only drawback is that the back rest doesn’t give much compared to upholstered chairs or the «3107».
The simple shape and sturdy material make the «Rey» a timeless companion. Source: Dietiker
