A standard item found in homes around the world, consisting of a seat, a back, and sometimes arm rests.

Designs vary greatly dependent upon intended usage, and fashion at that time, especially in the 20th century and since the advent of mass production, and modern materials like plastics.

Chair Design

Although three legs is the optimum number required for balance four legs is often preferred largely for aesthetic reasons.

Chairs are usually designed for one person to sit in, but examples of chairs that sit more than one are a couch, sofa, settee or bench.

Classical Chair Designs

Historically chairs have been seen as an article of state, dignity and status for example royal thrones. Indeed, the chair did not become common until the 16th century, until this point people used the chest the bench and the stool and very few examples of chairs form an earlier date exist.

Chairs from Ancient Asia have a distinctive richness to them, styled and fashioned from materials such as ebony (wood) and ivory (such as that of an elephants tusk) or from carved and gilded wood.

These chairs were coated and fashioned with valuable materials to represent the legs of animals or the figures of captives.

Early known forms of Greek chairs were between five to six centuries before Christ and featured a solid straight back.

During the age of the Tang dynasty between the years of 618 - 907 BC, a higher seat appeared amongst the Chinese elites and their purpose and usage soon became popular amongst the whole of society.

By the 12th century seating on the floor became rare in China, unlike other Asian countries where there traditions where still carried on the chair and more commonly know as a stool, was used in the majority of homes throughout the country.

In Africa, the chair became not just for the privileged people of state, but became customary for the common citizen as well.

Once the ideas of being privileged passed over the chair rapidly came into general use. The chair seemed to develop rapidly in its styles of the modern era and became more of a household fashion accessory.

Modern Chair Designs

During the 20th century a lot had been seen in the development of furniture and new revolutionary designs such as metal framed folding chairs, slumber chairs, moulded plastic chairs and ergonomic chairs that are design for optimal comfort for your body were introduced.

The recliner was a popular choice in conjunction with other technology such as the radio and television. When it came to the 1960’s new and more bolder and stylish designs were created such as the butterfly chair, bean bags and the pod chair that was shaped like an egg.

Technological advancements in the industry gave designers more creativity and options to be able to design chairs using moulded plywood laminated wood and chairs made from leather and polymers.

Mechanical technology helped make chairs more dynamic in the way they worked, more sturdy and stable and with minimum easy of use when using a reclining model.

Other advancements also have led to the development of massage chairs using motors embedded under the surface to help people with back conditions