Bentwood Chairs: the Curvy Silhouettes that Bend Trends

Trends in furniture come and go similar to trends in fashion. What’s hot this moment, can become outdated in a matter of few months. Incredibly, the humble bentwood chair is one of the rare pieces of furniture that managed to bend time and trends. Having turned 158 years old this year, bentwoods are still a favourite staple of restaurants and cafes throughout the world. But they are also found in all kinds of indoor and outdoor settings from patios to dining rooms, and even as accent chairs in living rooms. Without a doubt, the bentwood chair is a true classic.
It was in 1859 that the German cabinet maker, Michael Thonet, unveiled the revolutionary silhouettes we’re so in love with today. Unlike other chairs, bentwoods are made using a unique production method – heating strong wood to bend it into improbable shapes. The back of the chair consists out of a single steam bent piece of timber. Because it has less joints and is free of glue, the chair is structurally sound and lightweight at the same time. The result – graceful, sculptural seating able to last for many years.

Still going strong, bentwoods are an inspiration for many furniture designers and get continuously tweaked and updated. The influences of Thonet’s early design today can be seen in the many beautiful models of bentwood chairs Australia furniture makers offer. With colours ranging from classic neutrals to pastels and bold hues, from glossy to mate wood finishes, and from regular to upholstered seats – bentwoods can fit equally well in all kinds of interiors whether it’s a chic bistro or your own dining room.

The simplistic design of Bentwoods allows you to play with your imagination and think up creative ways to customize them. For instance, you could create your own eclectic design by spinning a colourful embroidery floss around the chair’s backrest. Thread wrapping it might require a lot of patience, but the beautiful result makes it totally worth it. Of course, you can always create a unique colourful effect by using paint. For instance, you can try to achieve a lovely ombre effect by making a transition between two similar shades of colour. Or you can try colour dipping, which looks especially nice on bentwoods.
If you’ve ever went antique shopping, you’d know how hard it is to find antique chairs, especially Bentwoods. But don’t worry, you don’t need a time machine to transport yourself to 1870s Europe and snatch a few from a local cafe. You can simply explore the range of quality replica bentwood chairs Australia furniture makers offer. Whether you are planing to buy replica Bentwoods from an online shop or a brick and mortar store, make sure to get informed about the type of wood they’re made from and the production process. A good way to know you’re getting the best value for your money is if the replica is made using the same steam-press process used for original pieces.