Furniture, decor, and personal touches are essential in transforming a house into a home. Iconic design pieces, when combined with art and tasteful furnishings, can elevate a space into a unique expression of style and taste.

Art enthusiasts—including artists, collectors, and designers—often choose significant design works to enhance their environments. For those exploring design objects, here are 11 iconic pieces. From the minimalist approach of Bauhaus pioneers to the sleek lines of mid-century modernism, and the playful aesthetics of the Space Age and the Memphis Group, these selections offer inspiration.

Charles and Ray Eames, Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1956

American designers Charles and Ray Eames transformed furniture design with their innovative use of materials such as fiberglass, plywood, and aluminum. As pioneers of mid-century modernism, they combined functionality and style. Their Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, introduced in 1956, marked their entry into high-end furniture and remains a symbol of elegance today.

Inspired by the comfort of a baseball mitt, the chair is crafted from molded wood and leather upholstery, featuring a swivel base. It has been celebrated for its luxurious comfort and sleek design. Artist Rindon Johnson remarked, “It’s really comfortable to sit in and look at paintings. Being photographed in the chair was a way of suggesting a kind of lineage with Charles and Ray Eames.”

Florence Knoll, Lounge Collection, 1954

American architect and designer Florence Knoll, co-founder of Knoll International, significantly influenced modern corporate interiors. Although she didn’t consider herself a furniture designer, she created essential pieces, such as the Lounge Collection, which includes a lounge chair and two sofas with geometric forms on sleek metal bases.

Knoll’s designs reflect Bauhaus principles, learned under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen. Her pieces, originally intended to complement more dramatic works, have become timeless icons suitable for both home and office environments.

Isamu Noguchi, Coffee Table, 1939/44

Japanese American artist and designer Isamu Noguchi believed that “everything is sculpture.” In 1939, he designed a coffee table that merged sculpture with furniture. Released by Herman Miller in 1944, it features a freeform glass top supported by two interlocking wooden bases, influenced by Noguchi’s experience with biomorphic forms.

Eero Saarinen, Tulip Table, 1957

Eero Saarinen was a Finnish American architect and designer known for his innovative designs. The Tulip Table, created in 1957, challenged traditional four-legged tables. Saarinen aimed to eliminate the clutter of multiple legs, stating, “The undercarriage of chairs and tables in a typical interior makes an ugly, confusing, unrestful world.”

The table features a single-pedestal base designed to resemble paint pouring from a can, made from cast aluminum with a lacquer finish. Its futuristic design remains elegant and timeless, exemplifying Saarinen’s vision.

Marcel Breuer, Wassily Chair, 1925

A prominent figure of the Bauhaus movement, Hungarian architect and designer Marcel Breuer significantly influenced furniture production through his use of tubular steel, inspired by bicycle frames. His most famous creation, the Wassily Chair, was originally known as the Model B3 and later renamed after Wassily Kandinsky, who admired the prototype.

Breuer’s design transformed the traditional club chair into a minimalist outline, pairing bent steel with fabric strips for the seat and back. Its comfortable and modern form continues to captivate the design world.

Arne Jacobsen, Egg Chair, 1958

In the early 1950s, Danish designer and architect Arne Jacobsen began experimenting with plaster and clay for design. By 1958, he created the Egg Chair for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, aiming to provide comfort and privacy in public spaces.

The chair, made from molded foam and fiberglass, envelops the sitter in a curved form, creating a cozy experience even in bustling environments.

Poul Henningsen, PH Lamp series, 1926–58

Danish designer and architect Poul Henningsen dedicated his work to creating lighting that mimicked natural daylight. His PH Lamp, designed in 1926 for Louis Poulsen, was among the first to focus on glare control and light shaping. The PH5 lamp, released in 1958, refined the original design to diffuse light effectively.

The PH Artichoke Lamp, also designed in 1958, features a sculptural form that conceals the light source while reflecting light beautifully. “The PH Artichoke has inspired many imitators, but none as handsome as the original,” noted TF Chan, author of Louis Poulsen: First House of Light.

Eero Aarnio, Originals Ball Chair, 1963

Finnish designer Eero Aarnio is celebrated for his innovative use of plastics and fiberglass. The Originals Ball Chair, created in 1963, exemplifies the space-age design movement and has appeared in films like Dazed and Confused (1993) and Men in Black (1997).

Its spherical design offers comfort and privacy, creating a personal retreat within a lively setting.

Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Arco Lamp, 1962

Italian brothers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, trained as architects, designed the Arco Lamp in 1962, merging the functions of an overhead light and a standing lamp. Its Carrara marble base supports an arched stainless-steel arm, providing flexible lighting solutions.

The lamp’s design addressed the evolving needs of the 1960s, challenging traditional lighting concepts in domestic spaces.

Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand, LC4 Chaise Lounge, 1928

A pioneer of modernist architecture, Le Corbusier collaborated with Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand to design the LC4 Chaise Lounge in 1928. This piece features a tubular steel frame and a reclining cowhide seat, embodying the concept of furniture as an extension of the human body.

Perriand reflected on their designs, noting that they were shaped by human needs and architectural environments.

Ettore Sottsass, Carlton Bookcase/Room Divider, 1981

Italian postmodern designer Ettore Sottsass, founder of the Memphis Group, embraced color and playful forms. His Carlton Bookcase/Room Divider, created in 1981, features angular shelves and vivid colors, inviting various interpretations.

Despite its striking design, it was made from affordable materials, challenging the norms of luxury design at the time.

Artsy Source: https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-11-iconic-design-works-art-collectors-love The Future of Art Collecting.