Inspiration can strike from the unlikeliest of places – and it’s always embraced, especially if you’re an aspiring furniture design school student.
For the past 40 years, we’ve welcomed students from every corner of the globe. With this diverse mix comes a remarkable range of design perspectives, cultural references, and artistic traditions that often enrich the learning experience for classmates.
In that spirit, we’ve curated some of the most distinctive furniture design styles from around the world. And who knows, these ideas may spark your next design concept or creative direction.
Britain
British furniture is synonymous with the classic Georgian style. Moving on from the Baroque and Rococo ornate styles, this era saw the creation of timeless, high-quality pieces. These characteristics have helped the style endure into the modern age and continue to influence students at furniture design schools today.
This period also saw the rise of popular furniture designers like Thomas Chippendale, our namesake. These designers made elegant furniture accessible for those with less wealth, which is why Georgian furniture became so widespread.
Often dark and brooding, Georgian furniture wouldn’t look out of place in a 19th-century cigar room. Pieces are usually crafted with symmetry and balanced proportions, combining elegance with functionality. Ornamentation, such as carvings and inlays, is refined rather than excessive, unlike its Baroque and Rococo predecessors. Its versatility and durability make Georgian furniture a brilliant investment for any home.
Some key designs from this period include simple circular tripod tables, side cabinets, and the renowned Chippendale chairs. The Chesterfield is another iconic piece that rose in popularity during this time and remains a classic feature in living rooms today.
Japan
Japanese furniture design takes a more minimalist approach, rooted in philosophy and a deep respect for nature. The focus is on simplicity, functionality, and creating a sense of calm. Traditional Japanese design emphasises natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and paper, often left in their raw state to highlight their beauty.
Key concepts like kanso (simplicity) and ma (the use of space) guide the design process. Pieces often have clean lines, low profiles, and subtle textures that encourage a sense of serenity and balance. Examples include tatami mats, zabuton cushions, and shoji screens, each combining functionality with an understated aesthetic.
Japanese furniture celebrates the beauty of imperfection and the quiet elegance of natural materials, making it a source of inspiration for designers and students alike.
Italy
To something now completely different, we look to Italy. Italian furniture design is known for its boldness, artistry, and historical influence. Its roots lie in the Renaissance, a period that celebrated craftsmanship, luxury, and artistic expression. As Italian design evolved into the Baroque period, it embraced grandeur, drama, and ornate detailing.
Italian furniture often features gilded accents, curvaceous dining sets, and elaborately carved woodwork. Rich finishes, classical motifs, and statement pieces are hallmarks of this style, reflecting a love for elegance and opulence.
This dramatic flair has made Italian furniture a source of inspiration for designers around the world, blending functionality with visual impact in both traditional and modern interiors.
West Africa – Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal
Equally expressive, though in a more contemporary sense, West African furniture design is beginning to receive long-overdue international recognition. Designers from countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal are bringing a vibrant and unmistakable aesthetic to the global stage.
This style is deeply rooted in culture and symbolism, often incorporating bold Ankara textiles, Adinkra symbols carved or painted into wood, and rich, earthy colour palettes – deep orange, ochre, and brown – paired with smooth wood and metal accents.
In Ghana, there is a growing movement to support local wood furniture makers and champion sustainable, homegrown design. With its vibrant colours, meaningful motifs, and modern craftsmanship, West African furniture offers endless inspiration for anyone studying at a furniture design school or interested in interiors.
South America
South American furniture design is another locale that has emerged on the modern stage. From the 1940s through the 1980s, the region became known for its modernist and mid-century pieces. Many designers were influenced by architecture; in fact, many of them were indeed architects, such as Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues.
The style was all about bold shapes, sculptural lines, and rich materials such as tropical hardwoods, woven cane, and leather. What makes it especially interesting is how designers worked with what they had, turning environmental limitations into clever, beautiful solutions. Figures like Joaquim Tenreiro became icons, creating furniture that was relaxed yet artistic, practical yet full of flair – a design ethos that still shapes South America’s design identity today.
For students at a furniture design school, immersing themselves in these global influences can spark new ideas, broaden creative horizons, and deepen understanding of how design both shapes and is shaped by culture.
—
If you’re interested in joining a furniture-making school with an international cohort of students, consider our Professional Course – a 9-month intensive program where you will learn both furniture design and craftsmanship, guided by expert tutors and alongside fellow aspiring designers.