Famous designer armchairs: discover the 7 most iconic models in the world!

Among the various pieces of furniture, the armchair is perhaps the element that has tickled the imagination and creativity of designers more than any other. Indeed, over the years, many models have become iconic, either for their ability to reinvent shapes or for the refinement of their lines. Famous designer armchairs, with their innovative, sometimes irreverent and sometimes revolutionary character, have furnished and continue to furnish the most elegant homes in the world.

In this post, we will introduce you to some of the armchair models that have made history in international design and interior architecture!

The world’s most iconic designer armchairs

Many of the armchairs that rewrote the codes of 20th century interior design were born a century ago. We are referring to the period between the late 1920s and 1930s, which was particularly vibrant from a design point of view and led to the creation of models that are still popular today.

The designers of the time focused on essential lines and functional models. The result of this work? Armchairs that impress with their elegance and comfort. These models are aesthetically very refined yet simple.

Many other famous designer armchairs come from the 1960s. Specifically, the period between the late 1950s and the 1960s, right up to ’68. These were lively years at all levels of society. Interior design was no exception, with the design of armchairs with a futuristic flavour, the result of extreme experimentation and a profound review of lines and production techniques.

1) LC2 and LC3

Let’s start our roundup of famous design armchairs with a bang! Although Le Corbusier’s LC2 and LC3 Grand Comfort armchairs were designed in 1928, they have a modern profile and are still appreciated by interior design enthusiasts today for their elegance and comfort. With this line of armchairs, the famous architect wanted to combine in an original product the concepts of rigidity and softness and those of handcrafted comfort and industrial production. The innovative character of these models lies in the structure: the metal frame is external and completely visible and is covered with soft leather cushions.

2) Armchair 41

Armchair 41, designed by Alvar Aalto, was created in 1930 and is a splendid example of the natural refinement of Nordic design. What strikes the attention is above all the choice of creating an armchair with a wooden frame and a suspended seat. An incredibly revolutionary idea for those times.

3) Barcelona

The Barcelona armchair was designed by Ludwig Mies von der Rohe and Lilly Reich to furnish the German pavilion at the 1929 Universal Exhibition in Barcelona. Like the other design models designed in those years, the armchair is characterised by its simple and essential structure. The steel frame is surmounted by a comfortable seat, with a leather upholstery that is worked by hand.

4) Vanity Fair

The Vanity Fair armchair is probably the most iconic model in the Frau collection. Created in the early 1930s, it is a design armchair famous for making essentiality its strong point. In designing this model, Renzo Frau decided to eliminate all decoration and create a comfortable and enveloping piece of furniture. The wooden frame is solid and durable, while the soft padding and leather or fabric upholstery guarantee exceptional comfort.

5) EamesLounge Chair

In some cases, the products that become interior design icons are those that reinvent models from the past. Such is the case with Vitra’s Lounge Chair, inspired by the old English club chairs. This 1956 model, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, is made of wood and leather. It is a true concentrate of design and quality, offering an incredibly comfortable seat.

6) Ball Chair

The Ball Chair is one of the design versions that has most successfully renewed the concept of the famous designer armchair. Conceived by Eero Aarnio in 1963, it immediately catches the eye for its spherical shape and the colour contrast between the white outer structure and the interior, which comes in a wide range of vibrant shades.

7) Sack chair

The beanbag armchair designed in 1968 for Zanotta by Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro completely revolutionised the idea of the armchair. And it has rightly become one of the most famous design armchairs in the world. The innovation in this case lies in the total destructuring of the object, which transforms the traditional armchair into a high design product that can be easily moved from one corner of the house to another and offers a comfortable and anatomical seat.

Il Piccolo, second generation family-run carpentry shop, opens its showroom in Lugano. With over 50 years of experience, Il Piccolo brings with it a wealth of technical and design knowledge of the highest level, thanks to the many interiors designed and furnished all over the world. In addition, Il Piccolo represents the most prestigious brands of furniture worldwide. Il Piccolo designs, manufactures and sells the best of interior design made in Italy, following the customer from design to implementation, delivery and installation of the work, integrating the process with a precise and professional service. CONTACT US!