Year in Review: Top 7 furniture products from 2021

spotlight on the sideways sofa and cabinet by carl hanson & son
730 565 Pauline Brettell
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Year in Review: Top 7 furniture products from 2021

With more to celebrate in Hotel Designs’ ‘Spotlight On’ feature this month, we are shifting our focus to furniture. To do this, our editorial team have been whittled down this year’s new furniture items to a list of just seven stand-out pieces. Our ‘top picks’ list includes curves, comfort and cutting-edge design…

spotlight on the sideways sofa and cabinet by carl hanson & son

Forget about a bucket list, investing in furniture rather than a flight seems a whole lot more appealing right now as we all settle into staycation mode! These furniture designs are the standouts from a year full of creative content, and between them they tick a full range of boxes; starting with the eco-conscious Leo range by Adrenalina, and moving down the list to end with the cutting-edge concept of 3D-printed furniture, we’ve got it all covered!

 

Table Place Chairs: Circle of Life (as seen at HIX)

HIX Conran and Partners' WFHotel set

Image credit: Conran and Partners/Table Place Chairs

In collaboration with Stansons, Circle of Life is a structural free-standing framework with hanging recycled plastic curtains, which can be seen in the Table Place and Chairs’ new home in Clerkenwell. The sustainable products was the answer for Conran and Partners, Areen Design and stroop design recently for their three installations at HIX.

Carl Hansen & Søn: Sideways Sofa (as seen at HIX)

The Sideways Sofa, part of the WFHotel installation at HIX this year, is, quite simply, beautiful. From the curve of the seat to the materials used, and the intricate design details of its structure, it is a sculptural piece of furniture that is as much as a design statement as a place of comfort and refuge along with a strong coffee and a good book.

Crosswater: Artist

Crosswater Artist in bathroom

Image credit: Crosswater

With the conversation about wellness getting louder, the bathroom has become an integral part of the design process rather than a practical add-on. With this in mind it seemed appropriate to include the Artist range by Crosswater in our furniture list for 2021 as it crosses those boundaries elegantly.

Fredericia: The Spanish Chair (as seen at HIX)

The Spanish Chair in wood and leather by Fredericia

Image credit: Fredericia

Despite its name this is a Danish design that has all the lines and details of a modern classic. Beautifully constructed with strong simple lines and attention to and combination of materials make this chair both practical and decorative.

Minotti: Superquadra

superquadra console table by minotti

Image credit: Minotti

The strong architectural lines of this range by Brazilian designer Marcio Kogan for Minotti, are what make these pieces stand out. The graphic minimalism of the design is contrasted with an exciting combination of materials that create a strong design statement.

Morgan: Lugano

Two armchairs in the new Lugano furniture collection

Image credit: Morgan

The Lugano collection has been described by designer Rock Galpin as being ‘like a human hug’ with its well proportioned wrap around contours. Beuatifully designed, and beautifully made, you can read more about the collaborative journey of this chair in our interview with Morgan and Galpin earlier this year.

Yasmin Mahmoudieh: The Flow Chair

It seems fitting to end this list by looking firmly forward into the future, although with this range it feels very definitely like the future is now! Made from plastic waste, this design harnesses technology from materials right through to production and opens up the conversation about the future of furniture production.

Crosswater, Morgan and Table Place Chairs are Recommended Suppliers and regularly feature in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.

Main image credit: Carl Hansen & Søn 

Pauline Brettell / 22.12.2021

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Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

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