17 Best Furniture Design Books: Designing and Building Your Dream Furniture

“1000 Chairs” by Peter and Charlotte Fiell is among the best books on furniture design! A comprehensive guide through two centuries of design and evolution. This book made it to the top list due to:

• Its vibrant stroll from Art Nouveau to Postmodernism has several styles and periods.
• Featuring 400 designers from around the world, like Alvar Aalto and Marcel Breuer.
• Transports readers from the artistic world of furniture to its humble, functional origins.
• Including groundbreaking design paradigms, making it a treasure-trove of data.
• Giving credit to unknown but influential designs, revealing hidden gems.

Why More Shop Drawings for Craftsman Furniture is your key to construct furniture:

• Immersive Experience: Explore 30 construction drawings of household furniture by Gustav Stickley and contemporaries.
• Easy to Follow: Detailed and well-explained methods, this is a good beginner guide book.
• Educational: Helps you understand and embrace the distinctive craftsman’s approach.
• Wide Variety: World-renowned craftsmen’s furniture bible will motivate you.

“Furniture Design – An Introduction” by S. Lawson easily tops the must-have books to design furniture list. Here’s why:

• Comprehensive, covering everything from function to material properties, makes it a complete guide.
• Pioneering contemporary and historical designs enlighten and inspire your ingenuity.
• Case studies focused on material and manufacture-led design processes offer valuable insights.
• The book is excellent for those considering a university education in industrial design.
• It contains innovative and inspiring furniture designs from around the globe.

– Monica Penick, Christopher Long, Eric Anderson, Samuel Dodd, Carma Gorman

“The Rise of Everyday Design” should take room in your library collection due to its unique look into Crafts Movements and furniture design. Here’s why:

• A unique journey: This book maps the growth of the crafts community, from its origins to its impact on everyday household designs.
• Drawn in with art: The book features classic pieces by icons like Gustav Stickley and William Morris.
• Indy view: The book goes beyond a catalog, offering insights into the evolution of crafts in the late twentieth century.
• User-centric design: It shows how designers should prioritise user behaviour above aesthetics.
• The future of design: The book synthesises design lessons and future predictions.

The “History of Modern Furniture – Daniela Karasova” easily secures a spot among the best furniture design books for beginners. Its uniqueness lies in:

• Deep historic perspective: The book documents the nineteenth century to the late twentieth. It instils a profound knowledge of furniture history.
• The Global backdrop: History is tied to global developments for a comprehensive overview.
• Multifaceted sources: Furniture manufacturers, institutions, and renowned designers’ insight add immense value.
• Media exploration: Valuable lessons on types of material and technology shaping modern and contemporary furniture.
• The universal audience: Both budding designers and expert researchers find it equally enlightening.

“500 Cabinets: A Showcase of Design & Craftmanship” is a sterling addition to your bookshelf. Ranked among the best books for furniture design, it captivates with:

• Exceptional range of cabinet designs, spotlighting the ingenuity in the field.
• Superb photography that illustrates intricate details.
• Limited narratives explaining the design process.
• A gallery format that’s easy to browse with eye-catching visuals.
• An amazing blend of traditional and contemporary styles.

Dive into the world of design with “Furnitecture: Furniture that Transforms Space” by Anna Yudina. This mind-stirring piece explores the converging worlds of design and architecture. Its strengths include:

• Robust Insights: It fuels your creative mind with forward-thinking concepts.
• Real Examples: The book brims with examples of innovative designs.
• Author’s Expertise: Yudina’s curatorial experience breathes life into the book’s pages.
• Architectural Style: It highlights the potency of understanding architecture to beautify home interiors.
• Modern Trends: It throws light on the transformative potential of micro-architecture.

“Knoll: A Modernist Universe – Brian Lutz” deserves acclaim as one of the best design books for creating your dream furniture. This remarkable book earned its distinction due to the following:

• Its rich visual history of Knoll Furniture Company explains the origins of mid-century modern design.
• The iconic pieces by notable artists like Mies van der Rohe, Eero Saarinen, Frank Gehry, and Richard Meier.
• How global events affect the design world and can influence your aesthetic choices.
• In-depth graphical, textual and photographic details offering guidance for designing exceptional furniture.
• An educational narrative focusing on teaching the balance vital in high-end furniture.

You’ll love “Wood Magazine: Arts and Crafts Furniture.” Undeniably a gem among books about furniture design worldwide. Here’s why:

• Incredible Content: Offering detailed instructions, embracing the craft and art movement’s simplicity.
• Clear Illustrations: The comprehensible drawings and photos aid in creating impeccable artwork.
• Expert Advice: The valuable tips from proven craftsmen enhance and provide room for innovation.
• Diverse Designs: With various design classics, you’ll find many projects to undertake.
• Well Detailed: The step-by-step instructions in this book help eliminate guesswork.

“B&B Italia: 50 Years and Beyond” truly stands out in interior design books! Here’s why it’s a must-read gem for you:

• Incredible Insights: Gain wisdom from giants in the field, Renzo Piano and Ferruccio De Bortoli.
• Cultural Significance: It explores B&B Italia’s impact on Italian and international culture.
• Economic Insights: Delve into the company’s role in the economic scene.
• Unique Narration: Experience the captivating journey of past to present of B&B Italia.
• Stunning Viewpoints: The book features diverse and significant contributions.

“Reinventing Ikea: 70 DIY Projects to Transform” is a remarkable asset for the creative furniture enthusiast!

• Its 70 customization projects provide limitless opportunities to transform popular Ikea products.
• It promotes upcycling through inventive strategies, breathing new life into otherwise discarded objects.
• The easy and inexpensive projects have an appeal that is gentle on your wallet.
• It inspires you to create dependable, sturdy, and fun furniture types with a distinct flair.
• Practicality and inventiveness fuse, making it an invaluable resource for the DIY enthusiast.

“In the Modern Style: Building Furniture Inspired by 20th Century Tradition” is a gem for modernism design lovers. It soars above many in its category for good reasons. Here are the leading points:

• It is deeply inspirational, revitalising mid century modern furniture trends.
• The book is chock-full of practical advice, with knowledge of leading-edge techniques.
• It exhibits an extensive array of original, sophisticated projects.
• Quality photos enhance visual appeal and nestle you in top-notch design.
• You’ll be coached by seasoned professionals who unveil trade secrets.

You’ve got to check out “Chairpedia: 101 Stories of Chairs,” a standout among furniture books. It’s compelling for these reasons:

• A fascinating history of chair anatomy design through the lens of 101 significant chairs.
• Guaranteed views from experts, design historians, and architectural critics.
• The foreword by Mauricio Wiesenthal adds a remarkable touch to this book.
• Not simply a dry furniture history book, it reads like a collection of suspenseful tales.

Experience an enriching journey with a fascinating approach to design in “Material Matters.” This invigorating book should be on your reading list if designing unique furniture excites you.

• Engages the reader with innovative strategies, leading to an upcycling revolution.
• Offers easy, cost-effective projects turning everyday items into high-style furniture.
• Presents a seamless blend of pleasing, affordability, and environmental responsibility.
• Is a resource for students, providing a fascinating insight into furniture design industry.
• Hosts inspiring narratives that emphasize the importance of material-driven processes.

“Bookcases: Eleven Outstanding Projects by America’s Best Craftsmen” is great for many reasons.

• Packed with eleven spectacular projects, this book provides an unmatched variety.
• The United States’ most talented artisans crafted the designs, guaranteeing high-quality end results.
• This book gem has step-by-step guides, easing your journey into crafting dream furniture.
• With insider tips included, you’re set for a successful path in furniture crafting.
• Readers favor its engaging method, enhancing comprehension.

You would absolutely love the Atlas of Furniture Design. Here’s why it’s a top pick for furniture history books through the ages:

• Comprehensive: This design history book covers 1740 popular pieces of furniture by 546 leading designers.
• Respected source: Published and sold by the esteemed Vitra Design Museum shop. A credible resource on the subject.
• Uniquely focused: Unlike the book title, this one primarily explores chair design dynamics.
• Contextual: Dream furnishings are presented in their socio-cultural and historical context.
• Technological marvel: The definitive book is not only informative but also a beautifully crafted object.

“Designing and Building Chairs: The New Best of Fine Woodworking” sits atop our list of building furniture books. Why? Here’s why:

• Comprehensive overview: It covers all the basics of chair anatomy and construction.
• It’s authoritative: Written by Fine Woodworking magazine, renowned for its expertise as a woodworker’s guide.
• Inspiring visuals: The book has detailed photographs and drawings that inspire and educate.
• Variety: It introduces a plethora of designs ranging from classical to contemporary.
• Highly recommended: It provides good design principles and construction techniques.