10 Iconic Lounge Chairs That Shaped Modern Interiors

The lounge is the most versatile room in the house. Conversations are had, books are read, series are binged, lazy days are lived, and allegations of a nap are met with “I was just resting my eyes.” It is the room with arms outstretched after a long day, offering a homely hug whether from family or furniture. Often, it holds the best seat in the house, or at the very least, the most comfortable. That is why choosing the right seating solution for your sanctuary is an absolutely key part of creating a home you love.

We are sharing our top ten lounge chair heroes, from the iconic to the instant relaxers, from the timeless to the time well spent. Start your journey to a more relaxed home here.

The godfather – or godmother – of comfort, you simply cannot have a vested interest in modern design without understanding what this seating solution means to the history of the home. A legendary lounge chair from two of furniture’s most famous faces, Charles and Ray Eames, it is a leather-clad, timber-bound classic, safely under the stewardship of Vitra since its mid-century inception. For many, the Eames Lounge Chair is the holy grail of their dream apartment – ourselves included.

Something of a furniture phenomenon for over 50 years, Ligne Roset’s Togo is an effortlessly laid-back and perpetually in-demand call to comfort. With its enveloping softness and curve-conforming shape, it’s no wonder that Michel Ducaroy’s masterstroke went from being one of the most sought-after sofas of the last half-century to achieving the same status in lounge chair form, with just one simple size adjustment.

Designed by Pierre Paulin in 1975, Gubi’s Pacha lounge chair is a masterstroke of soft-living elegance. Its generous curves and optional warm, enveloping arms invite you to sink in and stay awhile, bringing a sense of easy luxury to any space. From fashion-show runways to refined living rooms, it’s a design icon with endless versatility.

Designed by Poul Kjærholm in 1956, the PK22 Lounge Chair by Fritz Hansen is a minimalist masterpiece — proof that a single, graceful fold can unlock extraordinary comfort. Drawing on his training as a cabinetmaker, Kjærholm translated his mastery of form into a chair that pairs striking, architectural angles with supple, inviting materials. The result is an enduring icon of Danish modernism.

Designed by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia, the Husk armchair is a contemporary icon that redefines comfort. Its sculptural shell cradles luxuriously quilted padding, striking the perfect balance between soft and strong. Affectionately dubbed the “reader’s retreat”, it invites you to recline with a good book and lose track of time. Versatile, instantly recognisable, and full of character, Husk is a statement of warmth and modern elegance.

From hotels to homes, the Capitol Complex Armchair brings textbook mid-century magic to just about any setting it is situated. Seat cushions thicker than most sofas, shapes sharper than most university professors and of course a luxurious leather to match. When this piece was commisioned for Le Corbusier's building of the same name (Now a UNESCO world heritage site), it was as if the design stars had aligned.

Forever intertwined with one of design’s most formidable eras, the Wassily Chair stands as an unmistakable monument to the Bauhaus movement. During his tenure at the famed school, Marcel Breuer bent steel into forms the early 20th century could scarcely imagine. A century on, this modernist masterpiece remains under the stewardship of Knoll and continues to rank among the most celebrated seating designs in history.

Few things make more sense than a lounge chair with the signature craftsmanship of Carl Hansen & Søn and the timeless comfort of a mid-century classic. The Sideways Collection delivers both and more, as designer Rikke Frost combines sweeping curves with strong Scandinavian lines to create a true “best of both worlds” seating solution.

Subtlety has always been a little overrated, hasn’t it? House of Finn Juhl’s Pelican Lounge Chair proves why. A winged wonder that fuses sculptural statement with supreme comfort, it was first unveiled in 1940 to mixed reviews. Its organic, human-inspired contours, echoing the work of Henry Moore and Jean Arp, were decades ahead of their time. Today, its embracing form and bold silhouette make it one of Finn Juhl’s most celebrated designs, a striking yet harmonious addition to any modern interior.

"“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, the Tired Man by Audo Copenhagen is the embodiment of this age-old adage. First unveiled at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild Exhibition in 1936, Flemming Lassen’s characteristically curved armchair was designed to feel “as warm and snug as a polar bear cub in the arms of its mother.” Relaunched in 2015, this award-winning icon of Danish design is crafted in plush upholstery, with natural or dark-oiled oak legs and front brass castors for easy movement.