At Standard Make, we believe in elevating the ordinary and reimagining the world around us. In this spirit, we wanted to showcase some of our favourite boundary-pushing chair designs that challenge traditional ideas and inspire new ways of thinking.
Here are five innovative chair designs that truly sit outside the box.
1. The "Ghost Chair" by Philippe Starck
The Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck is a hauntingly stylish piece of furniture that is timeless. Starck was inspired by the Louis XVI Chair, a decorative armchair favored by Marie Antoinette.
An iconic furniture piece in the early 2000s, the Ghost Chair is made of clear acrylic, revealing its translucent frame. This gives the chair a ghostly appearance, as if it's not really there. The innovative design of the Ghost Chair not only captures attention, but also encourages reflection on the role of furniture in daily life. It shows how design can be both practical and thought-provoking, and how ordinary objects can be elevated and reinterpreted.
2. The "Cocoon" Chair by Nanna & Jørgen Ditzel
The egg-shaped hanging chair was designed by Danish designers Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel, who were known for their innovative and boundary-pushing design. The chair defies conventional design by hanging from the ceiling instead of being supported by legs.
The Ditzels' work was heavily influenced by the Danish Modernism movement of the mid-20th century, which emphasized simplicity, functionality, and a break from traditional design. The suspended design of the chair is both visually appealing and comfortable, offering a supportive seating experience. The chair's soft, egg-shaped curves create a cocoon-like atmosphere, making it the ideal place to relax and unwind.
3. The "Spun" Chair by Thomas Heatherwick
The "Spun" Chair by Thomas Heatherwick is a unique and innovative piece of furniture that challenges traditional chair designs. It takes the form of a spinning top, with a rounded base and a wide, comfortable seat. It's made from a single piece of molded fiberglass, making it lightweight and fluid in appearance. The "Spun" Chair is a playful and fun addition to any room, and its design encourages movement, making it ideal for socializing or just relaxing. With its imaginative and unconventional form, it truly embodies Thomas Heatherwick's philosophy of pushing design boundaries.
4. The Bubble Chair by Eero Aarnio
The Bubble Chair, designed by Eero Aarnio, was created with the aim of resembling a bubble. The design was influenced by the Space Age and Futuristic movement of the 1960s. Aarnio aimed to create a chair that would provide a floating sensation and offer an enveloping, cocoon-like experience. The result was a groundbreaking and one-of-a-kind seating solution, made of transparent acrylic that let's light in from all angles. The Bubble Chair soon became a hallmark of the Space Age design movement and remains popular today as a stylish addition to modern interiors.
5. The Big Easy Chair by Ron Arad
The "Big Easy" chair is a unique and innovative design created by renowned designer Ron Arad. It's considered a defining piece of his work and is known for its distinct form, which combines organic curves and sleek lines. The chair is made of molded fiberglass and covered with foam, giving it a comfortable and inviting appearance. It was first introduced in the late 1980s and was part of a new wave of furniture design that focused on breaking away from traditional forms and exploring new materials and techniques. The "Big Easy" takes its name from the relaxed and informal way it invites you to sit and lounge, breaking away from traditional and formal seating arrangements.