12 Designer Chairs That Give Any Home Office a Lift
Comfort is key, but a swish chair can bring designer good looks to the most woeful of work spaces
Joanna Tovia
22 June 2017
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
Too often the home office is a neglected room with none of the style or finesse of the more public areas of the house. Improving the aesthetics of your study is worth doing, however, even if the only person who sees it is you. An inviting study that feels good to be in can make the tasks you do there more enjoyable – and that’s good news for anyone who carries out work from home.
Giving your home office a feel-good lift needn’t require a total overhaul; investing in a designer chair achieves maximum impact for very little effort. Whether sleek and contemporary or rustic and full of character, a chair you love can completely change the appearance and ambience of the room. Try these fancy chairs on for size and see what grabs you for your own humble home office.
Giving your home office a feel-good lift needn’t require a total overhaul; investing in a designer chair achieves maximum impact for very little effort. Whether sleek and contemporary or rustic and full of character, a chair you love can completely change the appearance and ambience of the room. Try these fancy chairs on for size and see what grabs you for your own humble home office.
1.
Danish designer Verner Panton was one of the most imaginative designers of the ’60s and ’70s, and was fascinated by the potential of plastic as a material for furniture. Today, his Panton Chair is as on-trend as ever, and when it’s also bright – it comes in a variety of colours – it makes quite a first impression in a home office. It can work just as well in children’s study areas; there’s a mini-version available for them.
Danish designer Verner Panton was one of the most imaginative designers of the ’60s and ’70s, and was fascinated by the potential of plastic as a material for furniture. Today, his Panton Chair is as on-trend as ever, and when it’s also bright – it comes in a variety of colours – it makes quite a first impression in a home office. It can work just as well in children’s study areas; there’s a mini-version available for them.
2.
Moulded thermoplastic gives Kartell’s Spoon Chair its ultra-modern look. Two layers have been used – one for the curvaceous exterior and one to provide internal structure. The seat thickness can be tailored to your weight, and the chair adjustment lever is hidden away to maintain those clean lines.
Moulded thermoplastic gives Kartell’s Spoon Chair its ultra-modern look. Two layers have been used – one for the curvaceous exterior and one to provide internal structure. The seat thickness can be tailored to your weight, and the chair adjustment lever is hidden away to maintain those clean lines.
3.
A chair such as this can bring a sense of warmth and sophistication to a work space without reducing comfort levels. The Pocket Armchair by German design studio DING3000 moulds to your body, and the hand-stitched detailing and shapely legs add character and grace. Available in soft cuoietto leather in natural, chocolate and black, this chair is just as suitable for creative types as it is for design-savvy execs.
A chair such as this can bring a sense of warmth and sophistication to a work space without reducing comfort levels. The Pocket Armchair by German design studio DING3000 moulds to your body, and the hand-stitched detailing and shapely legs add character and grace. Available in soft cuoietto leather in natural, chocolate and black, this chair is just as suitable for creative types as it is for design-savvy execs.
4.
The Comback Sled Chair offers a fresh take on the 18th-century classic Windsor ‘Comb Back’ chair. Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola revisited the chair for Kartell using batch-dyed thermoplastic technopolymer in place of the traditional wood. It also comes in Swivel, Wooden and Rocking chair versions.
The Comback Sled Chair offers a fresh take on the 18th-century classic Windsor ‘Comb Back’ chair. Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola revisited the chair for Kartell using batch-dyed thermoplastic technopolymer in place of the traditional wood. It also comes in Swivel, Wooden and Rocking chair versions.
5.
Philippe Starck’s surprisingly comfortable Louis XV-style armchair is a daring example of injected polycarbonate in a single mould. The Louis Ghost Chair is a curious play on Baroque style, and brings a dash of tongue-in-cheek elegance to a work space. The chair was released in 2002 and its popularity shows no sign of waning.
Celebrating 15 years of the Ghost chair
Philippe Starck’s surprisingly comfortable Louis XV-style armchair is a daring example of injected polycarbonate in a single mould. The Louis Ghost Chair is a curious play on Baroque style, and brings a dash of tongue-in-cheek elegance to a work space. The chair was released in 2002 and its popularity shows no sign of waning.
Celebrating 15 years of the Ghost chair
6.
The No.B9 Le Corbusier bentwood armchair, designed by August Thonet, was widely used by the French modernist architect Le Corbusier during the mid-1920s as a paradoxical addition to his signature minimalist and cubic interiors. It’s a chair that can work brilliantly in any style of home office and, for a work space lacking soul, could be just what you need to turn it around.
The No.B9 Le Corbusier bentwood armchair, designed by August Thonet, was widely used by the French modernist architect Le Corbusier during the mid-1920s as a paradoxical addition to his signature minimalist and cubic interiors. It’s a chair that can work brilliantly in any style of home office and, for a work space lacking soul, could be just what you need to turn it around.
7.
Many variations and replicas of Danish designer Hans Wegner’s ‘U’ Chair have emerged in recent times in line with our renewed love of mid-century-modern style, but nothing beats the original. Wegner designed the chair to give the sitter support but also freedom to move their upper body about with ease.
Many variations and replicas of Danish designer Hans Wegner’s ‘U’ Chair have emerged in recent times in line with our renewed love of mid-century-modern style, but nothing beats the original. Wegner designed the chair to give the sitter support but also freedom to move their upper body about with ease.
8.
Wegner’s CH20 Elbow chair is similar and easier to obtain outside of the UK.
Wegner’s CH20 Elbow chair is similar and easier to obtain outside of the UK.
9.
Italian sculptor and furniture designer Harry Bertoia’s range of wire seating has achieved iconic status since its release in 1952. The Bertoia Side Chair adds a sculptural industrial touch to a work space, while also taking it upmarket.
Italian sculptor and furniture designer Harry Bertoia’s range of wire seating has achieved iconic status since its release in 1952. The Bertoia Side Chair adds a sculptural industrial touch to a work space, while also taking it upmarket.
10.
The Tolix Stool has been the victim of many a replica, but add an original in a bright colour to give your study nook some style cred. This stool was originally designed for French bistro seating.
Browse more mid-century-style design ideas
The Tolix Stool has been the victim of many a replica, but add an original in a bright colour to give your study nook some style cred. This stool was originally designed for French bistro seating.
Browse more mid-century-style design ideas
11.
Herman Miller is widely recognised as a producer of office chairs with cutting-edge comfort. Personal preference will, of course, prevail – some claim their favourite office chair cost a tenth of the high-end designer models available – but the Herman Miller Aeron Basic Graphite Chair ranks consistently in top-10 tests for all-day comfort.
Herman Miller is widely recognised as a producer of office chairs with cutting-edge comfort. Personal preference will, of course, prevail – some claim their favourite office chair cost a tenth of the high-end designer models available – but the Herman Miller Aeron Basic Graphite Chair ranks consistently in top-10 tests for all-day comfort.
12.
With all the talk about sitting being the new smoking, a chair designed to move with your body is welcome news. Miller’s Embody Work Chair was created to minimise stress on the body by allowing users to move about in a natural way while being seated. The spine-like chair back can move with you as you twist, lean back, or otherwise adjust positions as you work.
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With all the talk about sitting being the new smoking, a chair designed to move with your body is welcome news. Miller’s Embody Work Chair was created to minimise stress on the body by allowing users to move about in a natural way while being seated. The spine-like chair back can move with you as you twist, lean back, or otherwise adjust positions as you work.
Tell us
Has a designer chair transformed your home office? Post a photo or tell us about it in the Comments below.
More
Browse more home office photos
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I'm in love with my Varier Thatsit Balans kneeling chair with a back, it is worth every cent. Thanks for this article, it might just be the kick in the pants I needed to give my study its much needed makeover.
My Herman Miller chairs are worth their weight in gold i have a few styles, and always fit and comfort has to come before looks. If you were talking occasional chairs fine, but an office chair where you set up to 8 hours a day a fully ergonomic chair is a must. I have a few mesh chairs and a padded one with what i describe rubber thong seat back, my God is that comfortable. My partner also has had spinal fusion and this chair was part of his recovery process. We are 30cm different in height yet the Herman Miller copes with my 152 cm height and keeps the back of my knees off the seat. i represent 2% of the market and they have catered for us shorties.