Cool Designs Bring Modern Chairs From Basic To Breathtaking

Chairs — a basic necessity in the home whether it’s for dining, work or relaxing. However, today’s chair design options are far from basic. Whether your taste is luxe or runs more toward the clean lines of scandinavian or mid-century modern chairs, there’s an endless choice of designs.

Modify Furniture is an interesting studio based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, founded by former pediatrician Marci Klein. Her “small studio with big ideas” is better known for functional and colorful credenzas with customized utility trays, but we were also drama to this block chair in her booth at a recent design show.

Modify Furniture is an interesting studio based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, founded by former pediatrician Marci Klein. Her “small studio with big ideas” is better known for functional and colorful credenzas with customized utility trays, but we were also drama to this block chair in her booth at a recent design show.

Canadian designer Adam Fullerton calls his furniture "not your average recycling project. This is Contemporary Inner-Chair, which was "Re born on 10/10/15. " It's a contemporary chair made from box section off-cuts and packaging from toronto newest e-bikes, discarded bike inner tubes, and skateboard deck armrests.

Canadian designer Adam Fullerton calls his furniture “not your average recycling project. This is Contemporary Inner-Chair, which was “Re born on 10/10/15. ” It’s a contemporary chair made from box section off-cuts and packaging from toronto newest e-bikes, discarded bike inner tubes, and skateboard deck armrests.

Fullerton says his work, like this chair, should start a conversation. His pieces all have unique stories of their origins and his philosophy is to collect wasted materials and turn them into "objects of curiosity, style and functionality."

Fullerton says his work, like this chair, should start a conversation. His pieces all have unique stories of their origins and his philosophy is to collect wasted materials and turn them into “objects of curiosity, style and functionality.”

New talent is exciting and this chair is an example of what budding designers are doing. Ryerson University's Anish Singh presented this chair design in Toronto in early 2016. Called the Drift Chair, it evokes a Adirondack chair design but also looks far more comfortable. Fabricated using digital techniques such as 3D modelling, laser cutting and CNC milling, the designer says it is "an ode to the driftwood that washes up on the shores of Ontario’s lakes." Gorgeous.

New talent is exciting and this chair is an example of what budding designers are doing. Ryerson University’s Anish Singh presented this chair design in Toronto in early 2016. Called the Drift Chair, it evokes a Adirondack chair design but also looks far more comfortable. Fabricated using digital techniques such as 3D modelling, laser cutting and CNC milling, the designer says it is “an ode to the driftwood that washes up on the shores of Ontario’s lakes.” Gorgeous.

OK, so this isn't a chair, but sometimes the space calls for a beautiful bench like this one. Comfortable for sitting or sprawling, it's a modern bench with a traditional twist in the tufted seat. The marble extension is attractive and functional.

OK, so this isn’t a chair, but sometimes the space calls for a beautiful bench like this one. Comfortable for sitting or sprawling, it’s a modern bench with a traditional twist in the tufted seat. The marble extension is attractive and functional.

These wood chairs from Casa Life combine comfort and beauty. On the left, the elegant curve of the wooden arms, combined with rich leather for the seat and back are very inviting as well as beautiful. On the right, a design more nordic in nature features the natural beauty of the light wood paired with a versatile upholstered seat and pillow back.

These wood chairs from Casa Life combine comfort and beauty. On the left, the elegant curve of the wooden arms, combined with rich leather for the seat and back are very inviting as well as beautiful. On the right, a design more nordic in nature features the natural beauty of the light wood paired with a versatile upholstered seat and pillow back.

Case Life has a wide variety of chairs to choose from, both for dining and relaxing Here is a variety of wood chairs, mixed material bar stools and seating.

Case Life has a wide variety of chairs to choose from, both for dining and relaxing Here is a variety of wood chairs, mixed material bar stools and seating.

Modern chair with mid-century style flair -- this would be perfect in a conversation area or in an office. We love the mix of leather upholstery, wood frame and metal base. Both the chair frame and base have unexpected lines.

Modern chair with mid-century style flair — this would be perfect in a conversation area or in an office. We love the mix of leather upholstery, wood frame and metal base. Both the chair frame and base have unexpected lines.

Coolican & Company specializes in small batch, hand-crafted furniture made with quality and care, meant to last. Their wood chairs and benches are clean-lined, spare and beautiful. The classic lines work with many styles of decor. Pictured here are the Palmerston stool and Adelaide Bench

Coolican & Company specializes in small batch, hand-crafted furniture made with quality and care, meant to last. Their wood chairs and benches are clean-lined, spare and beautiful. The classic lines work with many styles of decor. Pictured here are the Palmerston stool and Adelaide Bench

From left is Coolican's Madison chair, flanked by the Edwin chair in dark and light wood. The bench is the Adelaide.

From left is Coolican’s Madison chair, flanked by the Edwin chair in dark and light wood. The bench is the Adelaide.

Beautiful wood in the hands of a master craftsman is transformed into stunning pieces of all styles. here, Drake Woodworking's old-style storage bench features different types of wood. Woodworker Oliver Drake works out of his studio near Wakefield, Quebec. He searches out and uses ethically sourced timber, occasionally incorporating unusual materials like metal, glass, old tools, or hardware.

Beautiful wood in the hands of a master craftsman is transformed into stunning pieces of all styles. here, Drake Woodworking’s old-style storage bench features different types of wood. Woodworker Oliver Drake works out of his studio near Wakefield, Quebec. He searches out and uses ethically sourced timber, occasionally incorporating unusual materials like metal, glass, old tools, or hardware.

EQ3 also has this versatile neutral chair that would complement any decor style. The natural wood and ecru-colored fabric made it piece that;s easy to blend in with your existing pieces. Of course, swap out the neutral fabric for a more colorful option and you have a statement-making chair.

EQ3 also has this versatile neutral chair that would complement any decor style. The natural wood and ecru-colored fabric made it piece that’s easy to blend in with your existing pieces. Of course, swap out the neutral fabric for a more colorful option and you have a statement-making chair.

You may already know Hollis+Morris for their cool lighting designs, but the company also has a range of beautiful furnishings. Here is their cork town stool, perfect for your bar or kitchen counter. A wood or fabric seat sits atop a base made from a single piece of powder-coated steel.

You may already know Hollis+Morris for their cool lighting designs, but the company also has a range of beautiful furnishings. Here is their cork town stool, perfect for your bar or kitchen counter. A wood or fabric seat sits atop a base made from a single piece of powder-coated steel.

Canadian industrial designer Khalil Jamal also has experience in public art and architectural products. This is his CLIP chair. "Like a paper clip holds sheets of paper together, a bent aluminum frame grasps the four soft cushions that make up the Clip seat," explains his website. .Each cushion is five inches thick, and users can re-stack the cushions, separate them from the frame, or make a larger seating unit by pushing numerous Clip chairs together.

Canadian industrial designer Khalil Jamal also has experience in public art and architectural products. This is his CLIP chair. “Like a paper clip holds sheets of paper together, a bent aluminum frame grasps the four soft cushions that make up the Clip seat,” explains his website. .Each cushion is five inches thick, and users can re-stack the cushions, separate them from the frame, or make a larger seating unit by pushing numerous Clip chairs together.

These retro chairs Anson chairs from Newell Furniture have an updated, modern industrial feel. Design firm Netthaus presented these in a setting that incorporated rustic as well as modern elements.

These retro chairs Anson chairs from Newell Furniture have an updated, modern industrial feel. Design firm Netthaus presented these in a setting that incorporated rustic as well as modern elements.

Combined with a substantial table and casual accessories, the chairs bring a slightly modern, rustic feel without feeling too "country."

Combined with a substantial table and casual accessories, the chairs bring a slightly modern, rustic feel without feeling too “country.”

Also from Newell is the Repos Chair, which is ready to move outdoors when the weather turns nice. This hanging cocoon chair is water-resistant. incredibly comfortable and available with cushions of various colors.

Also from Newell is the Repos Chair, which is ready to move outdoors when the weather turns nice. This hanging cocoon chair is water-resistant. Incredibly comfy chair and available with cushions of various colors.

Live edge tables abound, but this is a stunning take on an office chair. The highly polished interior, along with the more rugged exterior, make for a true, natural work of art. Part of Ontario Wood's exhibit at IDS in Toronto.

Live edge tables abound, but this is a stunning take on an office chair. The highly polished interior, along with the more rugged exterior, make for a true, natural work of art. Part of Ontario Wood’s exhibit at IDS in Toronto.

This industrial dining chair is from Zenporium, which produces pieces that meld rustic, organic, industrial and modern design to create unique style. Products are built using reclaimed, salvaged or ‘up-cycled’ wood.

This industrial dining chair is from Zenporium, which produces pieces that meld rustic, organic, industrial and modern design to create unique style. Products are built using reclaimed, salvaged or ‘up-cycled’ wood.

Soho Concept has an amazing range of chairs in modern styles with variations in legs and upholstery.

Soho Concept has an amazing range of chairs in modern styles with variations in legs and upholstery.

Modern and marvelous is the Harput Wire Chair from Soho Concept. It has an upholstered seat and backrest on a chrome sled.

Modern and marvelous is the Harput Wire Chair from Soho Concept. It has an upholstered seat and backrest on a chrome sled.

Soho Concept's Lara Wire contemporary stool has an upholstered seat and backrest on a natural and walnut veneer steel base. This steel frame is molded by injecting polyurethane foam. It's perfect for a bar or kitchen counter.

Soho Concept’s Lara Wire contemporary stool has an upholstered seat and backrest on a natural and walnut veneer steel base. This steel frame is molded by injecting polyurethane foam. It’s perfect for a bar or kitchen counter.

The detail on the back of this Capri chair from Soho Concept helps make the piece special. We're of an opinion that the back should be as beautiful as the front.

The detail on the back of this Capri chair from Soho Concept helps make the piece special. We’re of an opinion that the back should be as beautiful as the front.

The bent back of this Soho Concept chair is an amazing detail when viewed from the side.

The bent back of this Soho Concept chair is an amazing detail when viewed from the side.

The Fightback Chair from Stylegarage has a clean, minimal feel yet looks eminently comfortable. The Canadian-made chair has a kiln-dried hardwood frame and a stainless steel return base. It's also available with wood block feet and can be upholstered in any number of fabrics and leathers.

The Fightback Chair from Stylegarage has a clean, minimal feel yet looks eminently comfortable. The Canadian-made chair has a kiln-dried hardwood frame and a stainless steel return base. It’s also available with wood block feet and can be upholstered in any number of fabrics and leathers.

The Elk Chair from Gus Modern is a fresh take on the classic wingback design, with current materials and and unique lines. It has low-profile upholstery with a precision-cut, bent-ply seat and back panels.

The Elk Chair from Gus Modern is a fresh take on the classic wingback design, with current materials and and unique lines. It has low-profile upholstery with a precision-cut, bent-ply seat and back panels.

Elk chair from Gus Modern Picture
A thoroughly modern living room chair is this one from XI Custom. Available in you choice of upholstery fabrics, this black and white version is great.

A thoroughly modern living room chair is this one from XI Custom. Available in you choice of upholstery fabrics, this black and white version is great.

Sometimes your room just needs an extra seat, but a chair is too much for the space. A small stool can do double duty as an occasional table when you;re not entertaining, This one is from Zenporium.

Sometimes your room just needs an extra seat, but a chair is too much for the space. A small stool can do double duty as an occasional table when you’re not entertaining, This one is from Zenporium.

Good seating is a must in every room of your home. Whether your looking for a wood chair, a leather armchair, or a unique bench, choose something that fills the need and elevated your space.