Decorating
10 Rooms Made More Beautiful by Bentwood Chairs
Easy to find anywhere, from car-boot sales and antiques markets to retro stores, bentwood chairs are design classics
Invented in the 1830s by German-born Michael Thonet, ‘bent wood’ furniture was made by the – then – innovative technique of using steam to bend plywood and eventually solid wood into soft curves. The pioneering technology enabled mass production and in 1912, Thonet’s company produced 1.8 million chairs, perhaps most famously the iconic Thonet No. 14 ‘café’ chair, by far the most ubiquitous style (and one that’s having quite a revival right now). Steam-bending became widely used in chair manufacturing – from Le Corbusier to Ikea – making way for many takes on the ‘bentwood’ chair. Which would you pick and how would you style it? Here are just a few ways these classics have taken a starring role in a room.
Choose a sunny shade
A hot trend now is to paint one or two pieces of furniture in a bold primary colour that contrasts with the rest of the room. This living space is all midcentury cool; the bright yellow bentwood chairs take it from stylish but predictable to pleasingly eclectic. Don’t introduce yellow elsewhere in the room or you’ll spoil the effect.
Colour: Why you should add a splash of yellow to your interior
A hot trend now is to paint one or two pieces of furniture in a bold primary colour that contrasts with the rest of the room. This living space is all midcentury cool; the bright yellow bentwood chairs take it from stylish but predictable to pleasingly eclectic. Don’t introduce yellow elsewhere in the room or you’ll spoil the effect.
Colour: Why you should add a splash of yellow to your interior
Try contrasting upholstery
The simple curves of bentwood chairs mean you can pimp them without going over the top. If the seats can be upholstered – or you are adding removable cushions – choose a bold fabric design that picks out your room’s main accent shade. Treat the wood of each chair’s frame to complement at least one other piece in the room, too.
The simple curves of bentwood chairs mean you can pimp them without going over the top. If the seats can be upholstered – or you are adding removable cushions – choose a bold fabric design that picks out your room’s main accent shade. Treat the wood of each chair’s frame to complement at least one other piece in the room, too.
Mix angles and curves
Sleek desk, cool adjustable lamp, circular rug for texture and contemporary wall art all equal a chic space. How to top such a perfect home office? By adding still more curves to contrast with the sharp angles of the desk and to complement those of the wall art. This Le Corbusier bentwood armchair’s glossy black looks make the scheme more contemporary, too.
Sleek desk, cool adjustable lamp, circular rug for texture and contemporary wall art all equal a chic space. How to top such a perfect home office? By adding still more curves to contrast with the sharp angles of the desk and to complement those of the wall art. This Le Corbusier bentwood armchair’s glossy black looks make the scheme more contemporary, too.
Introduce luxury with leather
Dining spaces can feel uninviting – especially if they’re furnished with dark wood and cool colours. However, introducing layers of texture can make yours feel more welcoming. Here, the cool colour scheme has been offset with a rug, faux fur, pattern in the tiled fire surround and, of course, padded leather seats for the bentwood chairs.
Dining spaces can feel uninviting – especially if they’re furnished with dark wood and cool colours. However, introducing layers of texture can make yours feel more welcoming. Here, the cool colour scheme has been offset with a rug, faux fur, pattern in the tiled fire surround and, of course, padded leather seats for the bentwood chairs.
Bring in natural tones with wood
If you’re considering a glitzy scheme packed with pattern, colour and metallics, adding an element of natural wood will make it feel a little less polished and therefore much more homely. Steer clear of modern chairs – vintage bentwood will add contrast, interest, curves and texture.
Browse bentwood chairs in the Houzz shop
If you’re considering a glitzy scheme packed with pattern, colour and metallics, adding an element of natural wood will make it feel a little less polished and therefore much more homely. Steer clear of modern chairs – vintage bentwood will add contrast, interest, curves and texture.
Browse bentwood chairs in the Houzz shop
Anchor an eclectic scheme
Planning an eclectic room scheme? It will look chaotic without one standout feature to dominate the space. Here, it’s the spindle-back bentwood chairs with Y-shaped legs, which are set around a beautiful but plain table. The focus on the chairs is turned up a notch by the huge rug, which draws the eye to the central feature of the room.
Planning an eclectic room scheme? It will look chaotic without one standout feature to dominate the space. Here, it’s the spindle-back bentwood chairs with Y-shaped legs, which are set around a beautiful but plain table. The focus on the chairs is turned up a notch by the huge rug, which draws the eye to the central feature of the room.
Be green
Despite the standout bed frame and pretty chest of drawers, the green Windsor-style bentwood chair is the star turn in this bedroom. Why? Because it’s a warm pool of colour in an otherwise cold scheme. Green is a calming shade, perfect for a bedroom; pick a warm, apple tone rather than a bluer shade to make the space feel welcoming.
Despite the standout bed frame and pretty chest of drawers, the green Windsor-style bentwood chair is the star turn in this bedroom. Why? Because it’s a warm pool of colour in an otherwise cold scheme. Green is a calming shade, perfect for a bedroom; pick a warm, apple tone rather than a bluer shade to make the space feel welcoming.
Go beyond New England
It’s hard not to love the enduring style of New England beach houses, but all the blue and white and blond wood can be a little unsurprising. Go for different accent colours and add in some retro bentwood chairs. Their curves and wicker seats will bring texture and interest to a dining space, bedroom or home office. Here, they’re the perfect contrast to the upholstered chairs and match the retro light fitting masterfully.
It’s hard not to love the enduring style of New England beach houses, but all the blue and white and blond wood can be a little unsurprising. Go for different accent colours and add in some retro bentwood chairs. Their curves and wicker seats will bring texture and interest to a dining space, bedroom or home office. Here, they’re the perfect contrast to the upholstered chairs and match the retro light fitting masterfully.
Add a colou wash
Love a twist on natural wood? These rustic antiqued bentwood dining chairs have been given a 21st-century makeover with a greyish colourwash. Matching tie-on seat cushions for comfort bring continuity to the space – and tying them to the colour of the flowers adds a touch of elegance, too.
Which style of bentwood chair is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments section.
Love a twist on natural wood? These rustic antiqued bentwood dining chairs have been given a 21st-century makeover with a greyish colourwash. Matching tie-on seat cushions for comfort bring continuity to the space – and tying them to the colour of the flowers adds a touch of elegance, too.
Which style of bentwood chair is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments section.
Classic bentwood chairs look amazing painted – and the effect shown here is so easy to create. Simply tape the bottom of your chairs’ legs then either take a brush to them or simply dip them in a paint pot. White and black is the best way to create Scandi style, but you can choose any combination to suit your scheme.