Whether you’re in the market for a modernist masterpiece, a low-slung seventies-style lounger or a sculptural statement chair, these armchairs are big on both design and comfort. Created by some of the most renowned designers of the 20th and 21st centuries, these pieces will stand the test of time and follow you from home to home.
Looking for more furniture inspiration to complete your living room? Check out our edit of the best designer sofas.
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1‘Bardi’s Bowl Chair’ by Lina Bo Bardi
sinar / Arper
Made from an upholstered shell that sits in a ring-shaped frame, which can be adjusted by hand into an upright or reclining position, Lina Bo Bardi’s ‘Bowl Chair’ was made in 1951 for the designer’s own home, Casa de Vidro (Glass House), on the outskirts of São Paulo, Brazil. An iconic design, it’s now reissued by Italian firm Arper. £4,610, arper.com
2‘Croissant’ chair by Illum Wikkelsø
Tommaso Del Panta
Created in 1962 and now reissued by Gubi, Wikkelsø’s playful ‘Croissant chair’ (so named for obvious reasons) spoke to his belief that furniture should be comfortable from whatever angle you sit or lie on it. The design’s exaggerated, generously padded form fits perfectly with today’s fascination for curvy, chunky pieces, as does its decidedly 70s palette. From £2,794, chaplins.co.uk
3‘Sveva Soft’ armchair by Carlo Colombo
Flexform
A truly welcoming armchair is practical as well as comfortable and beautiful. A fact that hasn’t escaped Italian designer Carlo Colombo, who created the ‘Sveva Soft’ armchair for Flexform. Made to cocoon yet support the body, it has a structured shell, goose-down cushion and robust cast- aluminium swivel base. From £4,012, interdesignuk.biz
4‘Pukka’ armchair by Yabu Pushelberg
Ligne Roset
Known for iconic designs including the ‘Togo’ and ‘Pumpkin’ sofas, Ligne Roset has form when it comes to playful seating shapes. Its new collection, ‘Pukka’ – designed by Canadian duo Yabu Pushelberg – fits right in. With its voluptuous curves and low-slung lines, it offers a fresh take on the brand’s best-loved pieces. Armchair in ‘Gentle’ stretch velvet, £1,514, ligne-roset.com
5‘53’ armchair by Finn Juhl
House of Finn Juhl
With its exquisitely carved wooden armrests and inviting shell seat, Finn Juhl’s 1953 design is one of his most popular and enduring pieces. Reissued in 2000, its elegant frame looks effortless from all angles. From £5,049, finnjuhl.com
6‘Virgule’ armchair by Christophe Delcourt
Pierre Frey
‘Virgule’ by Christophe Delcourt for Pierre Frey is a nuanced design that merges minimalist lines and soft curves. A modular system, it comprises corner units, sofa sections and standalone pieces, such as this armchair, that can be combined in various ways. From approx £1,091, pierrefrey.com
7‘Bernard’ armchair by Nina Mair
La Cividina
Austrian architect and designer Nina Mair’s latest launch for Italian brand LaCividina is the user-friendly ‘Bernard’ collection. The lounge chair is the highlight of the series – its back and armrest are the same height, allowing sitters to choose the direction they want to face without having to move the furniture. From approx £1,130, lacividina.com
8‘Puffy Chair’ by Faye Toogood
Toogood
Composed of a simple steel frame and a giant quilted duvet which is attached via velcro, Faye Toogood’s design for Swedish brand Hem is the next best thing to being tucked up in bed. Its padded upholstery comes in various colours and materials, including luxe leather. We love it so much we incorporated it into the design of our ELLE Decoration Penthouse in collaboration with Londonnewcastle. From £1,439, hem.com
9‘Knitting Lounge Chair’ by Ib Kofod-Larsen
Menu
Originally designed and launched in 1951 as a limited edition, this cosy, low-slung armchair by Danish modernist Ib Kofod-Larsen is now produced by Menu. Available in natural oak, stained oak and walnut with coordinating sheepskin upholstery, it makes an inviting spot in any corner of the home. Approx £2,463, menuspace.com
10‘LC3’ and ‘LC2’ armchairs by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret
Cassina
Designed by the pioneering trio in 1928, these striking pieces were well ahead of their time. Created from bent tubular steel and leather seat cushions, they marry functional, clean-lined aesthetics with supreme comfort. From £5,805, conranshop.co.uk
11‘Sling chair’ by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin
Takt
For Denmark-based Takt, a transparent, responsible approach to design is as important as how products look and function. Happily, its ‘Sling’ chair ticks all the boxes. Designed by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin of British firm Industrial Facility, it comprises a linen ‘hammock’ that slides over an oak frame, so it’s light to ship, easy to assemble and comfortable. From £416, taktcph.com
12‘Studio Chair’ by Buchanan Studio
Buchanan Studio
London creative firm Buchanan Studio’s first foray into furniture is the ‘Studio Chair’. Combining craftsmanship, comfort and dashing stripes, which come in ‘Ruby’ (pictured), ‘Indigo’ and ‘Rose’, it’s a confident debut and a taste of things to come. £2,394, buchanan.studio
13‘Iklwa’ chair by Mac Collins
Benchmark
Adapted from Collins’ ‘Iklwa’ chair, which won the 2018 Cræftiga Award at The London Design Fair, the chair’s Afrofuturistic shapes are intended to empower the sitter and unite the Nottingham-based designer’s African-Caribbean roots with British craft. Large chair, from £2,275, benchmarkfurniture.com
14‘Balzac’ armchair by Matthew Hilton
SCP
Designed by Matthew HIlton for SCP in 1991, the ‘Balzac’ is a modern interpretation of a gentleman’s club chair and is a bona fide icon of British design. For its 30th anniversary, the furniture brand has introduced new fabrics, plus updated its padding and materials to be sustainable and 100% natural. Read the story behind the design. From £3,454, scp.co.uk
15‘Lazybones’ armchair by Studiopepe
Marco Bello
Pleasingly generous in proportions yet compact enough to slot into smaller spaces, Studiopepe’s chunky little chair has a distinctively postmodernist feel – it would make an ideal addition to a bedroom or dressing room. From £3,360, baxter.it
16‘Le Club’ by Jean-Marie Massaud
Poliform
Seemingly created from a few undulating folds of fabric, Massaud’s ‘Le Club’ armchair for Poliform may seem futuristic in form; in fact, its generous shape harks back to the traditional club chair of the past. Available in a palette of luxurious leathers and wools, it’ll make for a sculptural presence in any space. £4,438, poliform.it
17‘Reclining Chair’ by Robin Day
Twentytwentyone
Relaunched in 2011, design brand Twentytwentyone worked closely with Robin Day (1915-2010) to put his 1950 ‘Reclining Chair’ for Hille back into production. This anniversary edition, which marks the retailer’s 25th year, is upholstered in a rich textured weave specially created by Mourne Textiles, a frequent collaborator with the Days throughout their careers. The mahogany armrests of the original have been substituted for American walnut. £2,450, twentytwentyone.com
18‘Oxbow’ lounge chair by Namon Gaston
Dare Studio
Having scooped up a prestigious Design Guild Mark, Dare Studio’s ‘Oxbow’ lounge chair has the makings of a future classic. Designed by Namon Gaston, the piece is crafted from steam-bent timber and oak, and upholstered in UK-made wool by Mourne Textiles and Eleanor Pritchard Studio. From £2,400, darestudio.com
19‘Colonial OW149’ armchair by Ole Wanscher
Carl Hansen & Son
Created by Danish minimalist Ole Wanscher for Carl Hansen & Søn in 1949, the ‘Colonial’ chair strikes a careful balance between traditional and modernity, and luxury and restraint. Although seemingly simple and pared-back, slender, carved arms and a choice of refined fabrics –including butter-soft leather – provide a tactile experience for the sitter. From £1,819, carlhansen.com
20‘Modern Farmhouse’ armchair by Fred Rigby
Another Country
Made of solid oak and upholstered in 100 per cent natural materials, Another Country’s ‘Modern Farmhouse’ chair is a compact, characterful and considered design. Ideal for bedrooms, dressing rooms and bijoux lounges. £1,695, anothercountry.com
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