It’s hard to believe that there was ever a time when bentwood furniture was an alien concept in the world of interior design. Now, it is a common fixture in many homes around the world. This all changed thanks to the ingenuity of one man – German-Austrian cabinet maker, Michael Thonet. Still, as iconic as Thonet furniture has become, some people fail to exploit the full potential of decorating with bentwood furniture pieces.  Here are some ideas for decorating with bentwood furniture.

• Pair with contrasting pieces: Bentwood pieces are associated with class, elegance and old world charm. Why not pair Thonet furniture with modernistic pieces such as a tulip table or Brno chair with its clean lines and tubular steel frame?
• Pair with similar pieces: Pair bentwood pieces with other wood furniture pieces such as cabinets, tables, bookshelves, etc.
• Use color: Black bentwood chairs lend a special elegance to living rooms especially those that are filled with matching black furniture.
• Use to decorate a sunroom: Place a bentwood rocker on your sunroom for maximum comfort and to add a folksy touch to your home.
• Mix and match: Combine different bentwood chair designs together for an eclectic look that still creates a quaint, cozy feel.
• Pair with wicker and/or rattan furniture: Create a tropical theme by matching bentwood with wicker and/or rattan pieces.
• Add texture: Bentwood furniture can come with several textures. Use it to add texture to a room that otherwise lacks accents.

It takes special skill to create the bentwood furniture that many of us take for granted. The wood must be made to yield without breaking. Thus, it is somewhat ironic that some of us fail to utilize these pieces to their full potential. Perhaps this is because bentwood has become a common part of many American homes. However, bentwood can be just as versatile as other kinds of furniture if one uses a bit of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. We have several styles of bentwood furniture including chairs, rockers and even a bench and coat rack by Franco Mello.