We love a beautiful, challenging chair crafted out of raw Fiberglass, or stainless steel, or concrete. We love them when they’re shaped like blobs, or lips, or a pile of ice cubes. If it’s Italian-made, even better. But let’s be honest—aesthetics often overtake comfort in the realm of contemporary furniture. The latest conceptual, mixed-material lounger out of Salone del Mobile may be a literal, actual pain in your back (or ass). No worries: if your spine needs cradling and your eyes need pleasing, we have just the high-design, high-comfort chairs for you.
Seven Stylish Chairs You'll Actually Want to Sit In
Chairs with unquestionable cred and proper lumbar support.
By Gabriel Bell May 29, 2019
Vitra Grand Repos Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Antonio Citterio’s near-classic Grand Repos is not only a bold, cutting collection of half circles and curved leather, it cups you and your lower back like a soft palm—a perfect reading chair for dens and living rooms. $6,420 at Design Within Reach.
Humanscale Freedom Task Chair
Yes, most of the damage we do to our spines happens not at home, but hunched over a computer at the office. This rather regal selection by Niels Diffrient and the ergonomics obsessives at Humanscale offers sweet, sweet relief while you’re hacking away at the day’s work. $1,169 at Humanscale.
Gubi Beetle Print Lounge Chair
Stine Gam and Enrico Fratesi, the design duo also known as GamFratesi, offer us a look back to some of the more interesting excesses of 1950s design (mad prints and scooping shapes), with plenty of padding and a correct angle for those of us with stressed backs. $4,589 at 2modern.
Onecollection Pelican Chair
There’s nothing written anywhere saying that just because something is comfortable means it can’t have a certain sense of humor. Finn Juhl’s winking Pelican Chair has exactly the right reclined angle to take weight off your lower back and a smile-producing form. $6,130 at Design Within Reach.
Herman Miller Sayl Chair
Another ergonomic piece for the office, the Sayl’s adds a bit of drama to every cubicle thanks to Yves Béhar’s breathtaking, fully breathable latticework back. $510 at Amazon.
Blu Dot Field Lounge Chair
This quite contemporary take on the shapes and lines of midcentury living-room goods earned Best Lounge Chair of the Year from Interior Design, and with good reason. The form is as pleasing and familiar as its lower-lumbar support is welcome. $1,699 at 2modern.
Moooi Jackson Chair
Marcel Wanders is channeling a lot here: Bauhaus simplicity, the quilted walls of bygone ages, a focus on absolutely current luxury materials. Good thing its angled back will let you sit and contemplate all that in comfort. $4,000 at 2modern.
Fritz Hansen Ro Chair
Finally, Fritz Hansen and designer Jaime Hayon offer this—a contemporary, thoughtful take on the old club wingback chair that offers the modern padding, angling, headrest, and support today’s weary spines demand. $4,065 at Fritz Hansen.