Wood has been the material of choice for furniture designers for ages galore. And no wonder! There’s something about wood that instantly adds a sense of zen and calm to any living space it is placed into. It puts your mind at ease while managing to radiate a feeling of warmth and tranquility. It’s a minimal material that holds a strong personality without any additional frills and tassels. I truly believe a well-crafted piece of wooden furniture can add a magical touch to even the simplest of living spaces. Minimal, clean, and almost always soothing, beautifully designed wooden furniture helps add the ultimate finishing touch to a room. We’ve curated a collection of wholesome wooden furniture designs for you – from a dice-inspired wooden furniture design to a desk that transforms from a work of art into a functional table.
1. Flow Wall Desk
Named the Flow Wall Desk, this innovative and one-of-a-kind furniture design is designed to be functional and decorative. It has an impressive yet basic design philosophy which makes it an excellent option for corporate and home offices with space constraints. Since it is made of wood, it is a sustainable design.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Flow Wall Desk has a flexible and unique form which allows it to be stored and folded away. When not in use, the desk looks like an interesting piece of wall art. Once unfolded, it mimics a spring caterpillar which can serve as a desk for you to work, read, and write on.
What we like
- The Flow Wall Desk is a multifunctional and sustainable furniture design
- Effective and convenient flatpack form
What we dislike
- Folding and unfolding the desk whenever you need to use it means we can’t have a constant setup, which may be a hassle for some people
2. Tokyo
Called Tokyo, this minimal wooden furniture design is a multifunctional piece that functions as a shoe rack and a bench. It merges two functional furniture pieces into one ingenious individual furniture design. It has a simple Japandi-like aesthetic which adds some subtlety and class to any living space.
Why is it noteworthy?
Tokyo’s side leg is really quite unique. It seamlessly and gently curves, allowing the cushion to form a top tray to hold your everyday essentials. It serves as a neat spot to store your souvenirs and other belongings.
What we like
- Has a bottom shelf that can be used as a storage space
- A furniture design with multiple functionality
What we dislike
- It’s a conceptual design, so we’re not sure how functional it will be in reality
3. Dice
Called the Dice, this unique furniture design by Zurich-based Kosmos Architects functions as a stool, coffee table, leg bench, and lamp – all in one. Based on how you turn the furniture design, it can work as any of the four furniture typologies. And this is where the dice reference comes in since the furniture piece is inspired by a dice.
Why is it noteworthy?
The furniture design is inspired by the different numbers and dots on the dice, and this is one of the key factors of the piece. Although it looks nothing like a square dice, its four-in-one piece makes it quite similar to a dice. It is a portable furniture design that can be easily moved from one place to another.
What we like
- 3D-printed through KUKA robotics technology
- Looks like a wooden sculpture when not being used
What we dislike
- The eccentric aesthetics may not be preferred by everyone
4. The Cubicle
Named the Cubicle, this fascinating “bench and wall system” is created to stimulate the experience and sensation of working with your back to the wall in open-plan workspaces. It creates a against-the-wall working experience without the actual presence of a wall. How cool, is that?
Why is it noteworthy?
The Cubicle is designed to replicate and imitate the experience people seek when they sit in seats in an open indoor workspace like a library or a co-working space. They’re designed to simulate and recreate a very particular experience.
What we like
- It is available in different variations
- Made using as few materials as possible
What we dislike
- Space-consuming bulky design, suitable for larger and open spaces only, hence making it a limited design
5. Centenniale Coffee Table
Created by the architect and designer Joanna Laajisto for the Finnish brand Nikari, the Centenniale coffee table is a sturdy and minimal coffee table built using 100-year-old wood. The simple yet stunning coffee table is designed to showcase the rawness and ruggedness of old timber. It is a no-frills and humble design that heavily focuses on the material used to craft it.
Why is it noteworthy?
The coffee table was designed by embracing the cracks and imperfections of the old timber. The entire coffee table was constructed from a single piece of wood, and it features a sharp-edged and elongated tabletop that is supported by blocky and chonky legs with rounded edges.
What we like
- The table beautifully showcases the versatile textures and variations in the old timber
What we dislike
- Aesthetics are a tad bit simple and unassuming and could have been exaggerated a bit more
6. Marumarushikaku
Kego Kuma took over Ryuichi Sakamoto’s company More Trees, and he unveiled a modular wooden shelf made up of various shapes tacked together. Called the Marumarushikaku, the furniture design looks like an art piece, owing to its unique look. It functions as a decorative shelf as well!
Why is it noteworthy?
The furniture piece is made of rectangular shelf boards and round pillar boards which have been stacked on top of each other. You can place the different parts between the shelves creating your own unique design and look. You can place books, bottles, plants, pots, and other knick-knacks on it.
What we like
- Modular form that can be stacked up to eight levels
What we dislike
- Massive bulky form that will occupy substantial space in your home
7. Designated Table
These intriguing wooden tables don’t look too practical or functional when you first look at them, but then you realize that using them is like playing that educational game of fitting shapes into the right holes! It reminds you of the toys that have geometric holes in them, and you need to drop geometric blocks inside them!
Why is it noteworthy?
The geometric holes aren’t just whimsical little features, but they can be used as helpful organizational tools which are also quite interesting to look at. Organizing your stuff has never been this fun and efficient. The table also has a unique aesthetic which makes it an eye-catching piece.
What we like
- Playful yet functional furniture pieces
What we dislike
- The tables come in different shapes, and hence may not be able to cater to all functionalities
8. Circus Coffee Table
Called the Circus coffee table, this unique table design intends to bring people together in a fun and interactive manner. The table is quite small, and it can be utilized as a regular desk if the need arises. It is pretty tall, unlike typical coffee tables.
Why is it noteworthy?
The shapes and materials of the table create a design philosophy that is chaotic like a circus. It is made from wood, and amped with metallic components which add some functionality to the table.
What we like
- Created to be the center of attention
- You can use it as a regular desk too
What we dislike
- Some people may not like the unconventionality of the design, and it may not complement all interior styles
9. Kainchee
Called Kainchee, this innovative chair design translates to scissors in the Hindi language, and quite rightfully so, since it looks like a pair of scissors, which does full justice to its interesting name. And truly the chair looks like a pair of scissors from the bottom at least.
Why is it noteworthy?
What makes the Kainchee chair truly stand out is its innovative and intertwining form. The seat of the chair is essentially a band of walnut wood, which interlocks with the ash wood to build the leg of the chair, in turn forming a seating solution that is geometrically quite fascinating.
What we like
- Has a unique form and design philosophy make it stand apart from other furniture designs
What we dislike
- It’s still a concept, so we don’t know how ergonomic or practical the final product will be
10. Altitude Shelf
Called the Altitude Shelf, this shelving design by Evan Clabots draws inspiration from clean lines and the minimal form of traditional Japanese woodworking. The end result is a storage solution that is peak Japandi aesthetics while being extremely functional. It has loads of storage space amped by a clean and minimal vibe.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Altitude Shelf is inspired by Japanese furniture, but you can see hints of traditional Danish furniture in it as well. The design is highlighted by minimal lines and no back panels, forming a design which is open, airy, and free-flowing.
What we like
- It is a modular design inspired by Japanese and Danish furniture
What we dislike
- Bulky space-consuming design
