The word chair is derived from the Latin term ‘cathedra’ or the seat of a bishop. Over the years, the chair’s design has evolved, and various country styles and modern style chairs have originated in different countries worldwide. Their shape, size, materials used, and seating style can identify each chair style. These pieces offer a cozy dining experience and are perfect for working in the home office or unwinding after a long day. Here is a curation of 15 beautiful chair styles that are highly functional and aesthetically pleasing, too.
1. Armchair
An Armchair is a comfortable upholstered chair that supports the forearms or elbow. The asymmetrical design of the Jill armchair is softened by its gently curved arms and sweeping backrest. The chair looks different from every angle and is expertly made of pine wood, velvet upholstery, and fine Italian leather.
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2. Chaise Lounge
A ‘Chaise Lounge’ is an upholstered sofa or a long seat in the shape of a chair that is long enough to support the legs of the occupant. Just see how the Gravity Chaise Lounge by Cobermaster Concept challenges the laws of gravity. It features a fusion of art, design, and engineering that complements each other to achieve balance.
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3. Egg Chair
Arne Jacobsen originally designed the Egg chair in 1959 for the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark. Reminiscent of the shape of an egg, the base of this chair sits on a rotating base and is characterized by its smooth, rounded oval back and winged armchair design that nestles the occupant.
Designer: Arne Jacobsen ()
4. Wassily Chair
Designed by Hungarian architect and furniture designer Marcel Breuer in 1925, the Wassily chair is the first chair design that uses tubular steel to form its frame. Based on the principle of form follows function, Breuer reduced the classic club chair to its elemental lines and planes and brought forth a revolution in modernist furniture design.
Designer: Marce Breuer ()
5. Wishbone Chair
Hans Wenger designed the Wishbone Chair in 1949 for Carl Hansen & Søn. Inspired by the thrones of Chinese emperors, its steam-bent backrest and hand-woven seat define the chair alongside its comfortable yet minimal design.
Designer: Hans Wenger ()
6. Chesterfield Chair
A Chesterfield chair is a classic British upholstered seating that ensures optimum comfort. It features elaborately rolled arms and button-tufted upholstery where a pattern of buttons in the same material decorates the back of the seating, and it is finished with nailhead trim.
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7. Director’s Chair
Reminiscent of folding chairs that directors often use on movie sets, the “Director’s Chair” is a lightweight chair that folds side by side and mimics the scissor’s action. It comprises a wooden framework, a paddle-shaped armrest, and a foldable base that makes it easy to move around and tuck away when needed. Originally, the chair was made of canvas, but now leather is the preferred upholstery material.
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8. Rocking chairs
A conventional rocking chair is built on two curved pieces of wood that enable the person to rock backward and forward when sitting on it. The Velo Ash rocking chair by Jan Waterson is a sculptural work inspired by the seamless tubular construction seen in bicycle design. The rocking chair is ergonomic, while the Steam bent timber allows the occupant to bounce gently in place.
Designer: Jan Waterston ()
9. Folding chairs
A folding chair is a space-saving, convenient piece of furniture that can be folded back when unused. It ensures easy storage and transportation and is a perfect alternative to outdoor furniture. The simple, minimalist compact design of the Pad chair is made from multiple wooden strips joined together. It effortlessly transforms from a 2D shape into a 3D chair and looks like a wooden plank or slab when closed.
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10. Recliner chairs
Recliner chairs have a moveable structure with a footrest and backrest that can be reclined as per the comfort and requirement of the occupant. One can pick from simple, manually operated recliners or those with technically advanced features like massage mode, vibrator, automatic recline, and so on. They are usually available in leather and faux leather upholstery.
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11. Acapulco chairs
The Acapulco chair is mid-century modern furniture that is deeply rooted in Mexican design. It comprises a pear-shaped woven design and hand-woven fibers that form the foundation of the seating.
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12. Swivel chairs
A swivel chair is an ingenious seat that turns from side to side around a central point, usually without moving the base or feet of the chair. A Seoul-based design firm, 250 Design, built the 5° Chair. It is an office chair that can rotate 360°, lean back and forward, and tilt from side to side to support one’s posture and body’s natural movement.
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13. Tulip Chair
Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956, the Tulip chair is an icon of post-modern furniture resembling a flower and a stemmed wine glass. The one-legged chair is molded from a single material and describes Saarinen’s intentions to simplify the structure.
Designer: Eero Saarinen ()
14. Womb Chair
Eero Saarinen designed the Womb chair in 1946, which is in response to Florence Knoll’s request to create a chair that was like a basket full of pillows. Its sculptural shape is evocative of the natural shape of a womb, as many people have never felt comfortable and secure since they left the womb. The chair and ottoman are designed to envelop the occupant and allow them to relax.
Designer: Eero Saarinen ()
15. Meditation Chair
Meditation chairs provide comfort, encourage good back alignment, and relieve the pressure that gradually builds up in the back and legs when one tends to sit for long hours. Reminiscent of the traditional singing bowls used by Tibetan monks, the bowl-shaped “Goyo” chair is punctuated by a smooth, maple wood seat, and stand that encapsulate the occupant. The backrest and seat are angled and contoured to ensure comfort and allow one to meditate. In addition, one can strike the bowl to hear soft, rippling sounds resonate.
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