10 Iconic Designer Furniture Worth Investing In

Have you ever thought that furniture or interior pieces can be a great investment? And no, don’t look for figurative meaning here. We will present 10 time-tested products, whose original versions (not replicas) only get more expensive over time.

Buying timeless designer furniture will not only level up your decor – many design classics are appreciated for a reason. Impeccable quality, comfort and the ability to “fit” into various interior styles put them on a pedestal. The idea of ​​sustainability and the popularity of vintage items adds even more to the value.

Be sure to look for brands or labels when purchasing such products. On some items, they may be less pronounced, especially if they are chairs or lamps with narrow frames. From the labels, you can find out when and where the piece of furniture was first created, whether it is antique or brand new (renewed production). Make sure that the seller you choose is reliable and offers a truly authentic product.

So what to invest in? What items would add “old fashioned chic” to your home? Here are 10 noteworthy options that (maybe original, maybe copies) you’ve probably already seen more than once in some impressive interiors.

1. Chair Wishbone by Hans J. Wegner

The Wishbone chair was designed in 1949 in Iceland. This chair is appreciated for its gentle forms: the boat-shaped seat and the Y-shaped backrest. These chairs are particularly liked by the creators of minimalist, Scandinavian interiors. Unlike standard wooden chairs, which are often rough and angular, Wishbone brings exceptional lightness to the dining or living area. Available in colors from black oak to bleached beech.

Today, the Wishbone chair is still manufactured in Denmark at Carl Hansen & Son’s factory on the island of Funen, where its fourteen parts are assembled by hand and its seat is woven from 120 meters of paper rope. More than seventy years after production began, it remains an international icon, a classic that captivates with its purity of form, materiality and impeccable craftsmanship.

2. Stool 60 By Alvar Aalto

The Aalto “60” stool is one of the icons of Finnish furniture design. The three-legged Aalto stool is still a beautiful and ingenious product today. Its simple form will always be contemporary. Stool 60 is a great extra chair and can be used as a small table, for example next to an armchair or bed. When not in use, the stools can easily be stacked into a beautiful and compact tower.

The Aalto stool was first introduced in 1933 and it was a sensation in the design world of that era. The revolutionary design of the stool’s L-shaped leg was a huge boost to all modern Scandinavian design. The same technique is still used to bend the leg of the Aalto stool: a straight piece of solid birch is cut in the direction of the grain to form a fan shape. Then thin pieces of plywood are glued in the grooves. This construction allows the wood to be bent at the desired angle by heating or steaming, and when dry it becomes extremely strong and durable.

Aalto 60 is like a quiet and timeless elegance that can be adapted to any interior. The fact that Artek has a 2nd cycle furniture website dedicated to selling original pieces produced from 1935 to the present day is a testament to the strength and enduring appeal of this iconic design! Used and original products, which are highly valued by collectors, are bought by the manufacturer himself and resold for a second life. You can find the second cycle furniture website here.

3. LC3 Armchair By Le Corbusier

LC3 armchair was created in 1928. It was part of a bespoke furniture collection, which was specially created for the Salon d’Automne exhibition to complement and showcase it’s unique and ‘contemporary’ interior design aesthetic of the time. The details, materials and form of LC3 fully reflect the era of the machine age, with industrial tubular steel contrasting with the comfort and luxury of the exclusive leather.

The iconic LC3 armchair is a true design classic, it is one of the special design elements that can be adapted in various interior styles.

4. Lamp PH5 By Poul Henningsen

It’s a design classic from the 1950s. PH5 lamp was born from the PH lamp series of the same name, created by the Danish designer Poul Henningsen. His first collection was presented more than a hundred years ago and was intended for museums and galleries. The main goal of the designer – to direct the light and avoid the glare effect. So shape of a wonderful glowing flower appeared. The lamp creates a soft ambient light that radiates from each petal. Thanks to this soft halo effect, the lamp creates a cozy atmosphere. It has become very popular hanging low over the kitchen counter or dining table.

5. Soriana Sofa by Afra & Tobia Scarpa

It’s a classic design from 70’s. The Soriana sofa is no longer in production, so it is now a highly demanded item of Italian design for collectors. Its low and luxuriously soft profile creates a unique style and shape. The idea is to express beauty and comfort by using as much fabric or leather as possible, which is ‘held’ by a narrow steel clip.

This iconic piece of furniture deserves to take center stage in your interior, accentuating it with other neutral elements and textures.

6. Diamond Chair By Harry Bertoia

Created in 1952, the Diamond chair is a true icon of mid-century modern design – sculptural, elegant, yet ergonomically comfortable, perfect for leisure and even lounging.

The first version of the chair came with a black base, a contrasting seat and a vinyl pad. Designers and decorators took the opportunity to give sculptural look and graphic touch to the interiors using this chair.

Create an impressive interior element with an oval minimalist table that compliments the delicate angles of these chairs. The Diamond chair can also become a separate interior detail in unused areas, such as a hallway or a corner of a room. Complete the look with simple mid-century wall art and a side table, but keep this chair a centre of attention.

7. Atollo Table Lamp by Vico Magistretti

This timeless award-winning dimmable table lamp in gold or black glazed metal was created in 1977 for designer Vico Magistretti’s Oluce brand. Atollo is an icon of Italian design. It embodies a insightful and quiet character, style and effortlessly adapts to different type of interiors with its calm charisma.

Atollo lamps are still very popular today, they can be perfect decoration for corridors, home offices, living rooms and etc.

8. Arco Floor Lamp By Brothers Castiglioni | Flos

Arco floor lamp was created in 1962 by the Castiglioni brothers. Everyday city view became their inspiration: a street lamp. Using commercially available parts, they created a technically innovative and visually appealing piece – a lamp that would be functional, yet physically take up as little space as possible. To maintain the balance, they used a marble base, which is relatively small, but completely balances the weight of the lamp. The clever combination of simplicity, materials and functionality undoubtedly contributed to the success of the lamp.

Even today, Arco is a great option for the need for light and an alternative to a hanging lamp – there is no need to drill holes in the ceiling and run electrical cables. It adds comfort over a dining table or living space. Its shape creates the perfect counterbalance, framing every room with its elegant arch shape.

9. Eames Lounge Chair by Charles ir Ray Eames

There is no more iconic piece of furniture than the Eames chair. This lounge chair and ottoman perfectly completes the study or your relaxation corner, where you can rest with your favourite book.

Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman are formed from plywood and leather pieces, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for the Herman Miller furniture company. They are officially called the Eames Lounge and Ottoman and were released in 1956 after a long process of development and refinement. Examples of this furniture are part of the permanent collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art. Over time, the furniture design has changed a little. Since 1956 until the early 1990s, the hulls were made of five thin layers of plywood, which were covered with Brazilian mahogany veneer. Since 1990, the piece has been made with seven layers of veneers covered in cherry, walnut, rosewood veneers (sustainably grown wood with similar patterns to the original Brazilian versions) and other finishes.

The chair is covered by cow leather and its design resembles a baseball glove. A timeless mid-century classic…

10. Barcelona Chair By Mies van der Rohe ir Lilly Reich

Comfortable, stylish and one of the most famous design icons of all time – the Barcelona chair. It is made of cow leather with a chrome frame which is hand-polished to a mirror finish. This ideal lounge chair was created back in 1929 and can be combined with a matching ottoman.

Designed by Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich as a ceremonial chair. ‘Barcelona’ is characterized by the calmness of lines and the perfection of proportions and materials. It suits interiors with a lot of space ant it’s a timeless classic design, that deserves to be in the spotlight all the time.