Living Room Ideas: 10 Popular Chairs to Lounge In

This Father’s Day, spoil dad with a new favourite chair that boasts style, comfort and quality

‘A good chair, nowadays, is hard to find’, reads a line from an old advertisement that was promoting the Eames Lounge chair, a notable mid-century modern design that’s often hailed as one of the most iconic designs of the era.

The statement continues to ring true today. A good chair is the perfect marriage of form and function; it not only has to offer optimum comfort through its engineering and materiality, it also has to have an enduring quality that’s pleasing to the eye.

For many dads, the chair of choice at home is a cherished seat that’s utilised for a variety of means, including watching TV, napping, or avoiding chores whilst downing an ice cold beer. The classic dad chair first graced sitcoms in the 1950s, and from then on, it has become an island of comfort and relaxation.

Here, we’ve gathered some of the most iconic and covetable chairs of all time. Whether you’re looking to indulge dad this year or you’re seeking out a comfortable armchair of your own, these armchairs have a lot more to offer beyond serving as a simple seat.

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1. Eames lounge chair by Charles and Ray Eames, 1956

Above The Eames lounge chair and ottoman designed by Charles and Ray Eames and produced by Herman Miller and Vitra (Image: Herman Miller)

As mentioned, the Eames lounge chair and its accompanying ottoman is a mid-century modern classic. Designed by renowned husband-and-wife designer duo Charles and Ray Eames, the chair is made up of three moulded plywood shells and covered with a smooth veneer layer. A show of refined craftsmanship, the current selection of finishing veneers includes options such as walnut, cherry, white ash, and a variety of other finishes.

Available from Xtra

2. Knoll Barcelona chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, 1929

Above With its contemporary form, the Knoll Barcelona chair by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe is viewed as an icon of modernist design (Image: Knoll)

The Barcelona chair is the brainchild of German-American architect and designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, designed in collaboration with his romantic partner Lilly Reich.

First designed for Spanish royalty as part of the Barcelona Pavilion, the chair is produced from a single cowhide, where the seats are upholstered with 40 individual panels that are meticulously hand-welted and hand-tufted with leather buttons. The chair’s distinctive legs cross under the back of the seat and come together in a curved X-shaped structure.

Available from Proof Living

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3. Papa Bear chair by Hans Wegner, 1951

Above Papa Bear chair by Hans Wegner, from 1b2g (Image: 1b2g)

Known as the ‘Master of Chairs’, Danish designer Hans J. Wegner has crafted many classic seats that have become enduring representations of modern Danish design. The Papa Bear chair, having gained its nickname after a critic had referred to its iconic armrests as ‘great bear paws embracing you from behind’, is one of his most popular designs of all time. A solid wooden frame and metal springs offer sturdy back support, while the sculptural armrests envelops one into a warm cocoon.

Available from 1b2g

4. Ligne Roset Togo by Michel Ducaroy, 1973

Above The Togo chair by French designer Michel Ducaroy is perfect for curling up on during lazy afternoons (Image: Ligne Roset)

Above The chair boasts an ergonomic design with multiple density polyether foam construction and quilted covers (Image: Ligne Roset)

One of French modern furniture company Ligne Roset’s most iconic designs, the Togo chair by French designer Michel Ducaroy features an ergonomic design with multiple density polyether foam construction and quilted covers. Filled with quilted polyester, the statement piece is designed with true comfort in mind.

Available from Grafunkt

5. LC2 and LC3 armchairs by Le Corbusier, 1929

Above The LC2 armchair is narrower in design, with high seats and back (Image: Cassina)

Above The LC3 armchair features a wider design that allows one to lounge comfortably (Image: Cassina)

Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier’s collection of LC2 and LC3 armchairs are an elegant and modernist reinterpretation of traditional club chairs that were popular in the early 1920s. Featuring a durable tubular steel frame structure that houses polyurethane foam padding, the chairs embody an inviting character that beckons one to sink into them for long hours.

The LC2 is often referred to as the petit confort due to its smaller structure with a higher seat and back; the LC3, on the other hand, is known as the grand comfort due to its larger and wider size that perches lower on the ground.

Available from W.Atelier

6. Fritz Hansen Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen, 1958

Photo 1 of 2 The Fritz Hansen Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen will make for a contemporary addition into your abode (Image: Fritz Hansen)

Photo 2 of 2 The smooth seat nestles its occupant comfortably (Image: Fritz Hansen)

Designed for the SAS Royal hotel in Copenhagen, Danish architect Arne Jacobsen’s Egg armchair is a contemporary take on the classic wing-back chair. The sculptural armchair features a smooth, rounded oval at the back with a cradling seat that nestles its occupant comfortably. The inner shell is made from polyurethane foam, which is then padded with extra foam and an outer layer of fabric. A wide variety of materials, ranging from smooth leather to cosy fabrics, are available to be upholstered.

Available from W.Atelier

7. Knoll Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer, 1925

Above Hungarian architect Marcel Breuer referenced the structure of a bicycle when designing the Wassily chair (Image: Knoll)

Above Today, Knoll offers the option of an 18k gold-plated finish for the chair's frame (Image: Knoll)

Inspired by the structure of a bicycle, Hungarian architect Marcel Breuer designed the Wassily chair, otherwise known as the Model B3 chair, whilst he was at the Bauhaus. Regarded as one of the most important modernists in architecture, Bruer was famous for his tubular-steel furniture pieces.

The Wassily chair is one of his first few designs, and till today, remains as a popular icon of the modern furniture movement. Knoll offers the original seamless tubular steel frame with the option of a polished chrome or 18k gold-plated finish.

Available from Royal Interiors

8. B&B Italia Up armchair by Gaetano Pesce, 1969

Above The striped Up 50 colourway is a special release by B&B Italia for the chair's 50th anniversary (Image: B&B Italia)

Above The armchair is entirely made of polyurethane foam covered in stretch fabric (Image: B&B Italia)

The idea for this iconic B&B Italia armchair came to Italian designer Gaetano Pesce’s mind when he was in the shower. He envisioned a cushy armchair that would yield readily to pressure or weight and yet retain its shape when not in use, just like a sponge.

The bulbous Up armchair is the result of his experimentation. Inspired by silhouettes of ancient fertility goddesses, the designer also created a spherical ottoman tied to the armchair—a figurative expression of a woman with a ball and chain tied to her. Made entirely from polyurethane foam, the armchair has been reissued by B&B Italia several times in smaller sizes as well as a special striped colourway for its 50th anniversary.

Available from Space Furniture

9. Cassina Utrecht armchair by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, 1935

Above Gerrit Thomas Rietveld envisioned an armchair with multiple right angles (Image: Cassina)

Above The weight-bearing structure is made from steel and features a zig-zag or blanket-stitch upholstery detail (Image: Cassina)

Designed by Dutch furniture designer Gerrit Rietveld in 1935 for the Metz & Co department store in Amsterdam, the Utrecht armchair—named after his hometown—is often seen as an icon of the neoplastic movement. The chair is defined by its geometric design with plenty of right angles. It’s currently available in five bright colours, with a zigzag or blanket stitch detail.

Available from W.Atelier

10. Knoll Platner armchair by Warren Platner, 1966

Above The chair can be upholstered in an array of fabrics, including velvet and leather (Image: Knoll)

Above The base of the chair is constructed of vertical steel rods welded to circular horizontal and edge-framing rods (Image: Knoll)

American designer Warren Platner admired the “decorative, gentle and graceful design that appeared in period styles like Louis XV”, and sought to design a chair that would represent such qualities. With “a more rational base” as compared to other chairs of the period, the Platner armchair references classical design with a modernist edge.

The visually striking chair is created by welding 1,000 curved steel rods to circular and semicircular frames, which offers both structure and a sleek presence. A special 50th anniversary version, released in 2015, features rods plated in 18-karat gold.

Available from Royal Interiors

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