Viennese chairs in the interior: history and modernity

The history of the Viennese chair goes back more than 160 years, during which time the piece of furniture has not lost its relevance. It is deservedly considered the most comfortable model in the world, and therefore “migrated” from the mansions of the 19th century to modern city apartments and offices. Users appreciate it for its strength and light weight, stylish and laconic design, durability, variety of colors and models. Let's look at the history of this product, design features and restoration methods.

Viennese chairs: history and facts

Viennese furniture is traditionally considered to be any product created using the technology of bending wood using steam.
Thanks to this, the famous Viennese chairs have such smooth, rounded shapes. The process was discovered in Ancient Egypt, but it became widespread in the mid-19th century thanks to the German furniture maker Michael Thonet. Furniture maker Michael Thonet and a chair based on his design

By the name of the creator, such products are also called “Thonet” in popular culture, even if they were not produced at the Thonet factory.

Thonet chair in interior design

When Michael Thonet began designing bentwood furniture in the 1830s, it initially did not arouse any interest in society: his ideas were not recognized either in his native Germany or in neighboring countries. However, his work was personally liked by the Chancellor of Austria, and Thonet moved to Vienna. Here, in 1850, he produced the first batch of his chairs (hence their name) - Model No. 1 - in the amount of four hundred absolutely identical models for a customer from Budapest.

Thonet Model No. 1 chair in interior design

Ten years later, Thonet's production released the most popular version of the chair, recognized as a classic - Model No. 14. This model has been produced unchanged for over 160 years! At the same time, today Thonet produces more than 2,000 different products in a dozen finishes. In addition, many other companies are using this technology.

The most popular version of the Viennese chair is Thonet Model No. 14

Advantages of Thonet products

Buyers quickly appreciated the undeniable advantages of the new product. Firstly, it turned out to be incredibly durable: Thonet himself conducted a “crash test”, throwing his invention from the top of the Eiffel Tower and proving that it would remain intact. Secondly, low cost - this furniture was the cheapest and most affordable on the market. Thirdly, the versatility of the design: laconic, flowing forms and discreet decoration were equally appropriate in small street cafes and in royal palaces.

Thonet chairs are universal for any interior style

Thonet's products had (and still have) one more advantage - simplicity of design. The products were delivered unassembled, since this made it easier to transport them in large quantities. However, anyone could quickly assemble their “package” on their own - no special skills were required for this, which also helped save on the cost of a craftsman.

Viennese chairs have the simplest design possible

Viennese chairs in Russia

In the 1870s, the popularity of bentwood furniture reached the Russian Empire: two Thonet Brothers factories were opened here, and goods were sold through official stores that were in all major cities. Especially for the Russian market, the company produced labels in Russian, which guaranteed the authenticity of the products and their quality (all awards from furniture exhibitions were also indicated on the label). Thonet's products appeared in all cafes, restaurants and cabarets in the country, and when in the late 1880s the company became the official supplier of the Imperial Palace, this furniture became popular in the most noble Russian houses.

Viennese chairs in a traditional cafe interior in Russia

After the 1917 revolution, all official representative offices of the Thonet brothers in the country were closed. However, the furniture did not disappear anywhere - the models were in demand in the USSR, since they were still just as reliable, cheap and simple. Not only wood versions were in use, but also metal ones (mainly made of light aluminum), as well as versions with soft backs and seats. Such furniture was an integral part of the Soviet interior. And now many houses have preserved antique bent specimens, which once again confirms their high quality, time-tested.

Antique Viennese chairs in a Soviet-style interior

What do Thonet chairs look like?

As already mentioned, there are many variations that differ in material, size and finish. What models are produced most often?

Appearance of classic Viennese chairs

Materials for production

The secret to the strength and durability of bent chairs is the material of their frame. What are such specimens made of now?

Viennese wooden chairs in the interior

1. Beech wood. Traditional material for Viennese chairs: Michael Thonet himself made them from beech. This wood bends better than other varieties, which allows you to get the most exquisite shapes. Unlike some other types of wood, beech does not crumble at the points of fastening with nails and screws, which makes it very reliable and wear-resistant.

Classic Viennese chairs made of beech wood in the interior

“Thonet” chairs made of natural and painted beech in the interior

Thonet chairs made of natural beech wood in the interior

Traditional models were made entirely of beech wood and had a hard seat and back, but now you can also find options with soft elements made of leather, velvet and other fabrics, as well as with Viennese straw decor.

Beech Viennese chairs with soft seat and back in the interior

Beech Thonet chairs with Viennese straw decor

2. Oak. The strength of oak wood is slightly higher than beech wood, the flexibility, on the contrary, is less, but in other properties these varieties are very similar. Products made from bent oak have a wide color palette depending on the shade of the source material - from the lightest bleached to the very dark stained.

Laconic Viennese chairs made of bent oak wood in the interior

Oak Viennese chair-chair in the interior

Viennese chair made of bog oak with soft elements in the interior

3. Walnut. Flexible as beech and durable as oak, walnut is excellent for making Thonet furniture. The noble dark brown shade of this breed looks luxurious and expensive. Another advantage of such wood is its high impact resistance: chips on the surface appear extremely rarely, even after serious mechanical damage.

Viennese chairs made of walnut wood in the interior

Thonet chairs made of walnut wood in the living room interior

A pair of Thonet chairs made of dark walnut wood in the interior

4. Maple, ash, alder. These varieties are similar both in their properties and in appearance - golden color (alder wood has a reddish tint) and average strength. Furniture made from these species is cheaper, but it is less wear-resistant: high humidity quickly destroys it.

Viennese chairs made of maple wood in the interior

Minimalistic Viennese chairs made of ash and leather in the interior

Massive chairs made of bent alder wood in the interior

5. Plywood. Viennese plywood chairs were especially popular in Soviet times, but they are still made today: the high-quality material is almost not deformed and has high moisture and heat resistance. In addition, furniture made from plywood is quite inexpensive and lends itself well to painting, which allows it to fit into any interior.

Viennese plywood chairs in the dining room interior

Classic “Thonet” chairs made of plywood in the interior

Bent plywood chairs in the interior of the dining area

6. Metal frame. Products with a metal frame can no longer be called classic Viennese, but in appearance they often differ only in the material, otherwise completely repeating the famous Thonet design. Lightweight aluminum, including painted aluminum, is usually used in production. Such pieces are perfect for modern styles with an industrial feel.

Viennese metal chairs in the interior of the house

Viennese chair with metal frame in antique style

Viennese chairs on a metal frame in the interior of the dining room

Standard sizes

The traditional model No. 14 is still produced in the same sizes as a century and a half ago - with a seat 44 cm wide and 52 cm long and 85 cm high. All other types have similar dimensions: only the back height differs, and options with the armrests are made a little wider. For more information about sizes, see the table below (all measurements are in cm).

Classic Viennese dining chairs

Classic Viennese armchair with armrests

Traditional low Viennese stool

High bar stool “Thonet” in traditional design

Color solutions

Since the materials from which Thonet products are made are easy to paint, these models are available in any color options. The most popular:

Viennese chairs in original colors

• shade of natural wood (from almost white to wenge) is a universal solution, appropriate in the interior of any style and color scheme;

Viennese chairs in a light wood shade in the interior

Viennese chairs in the shade of natural wood in the interior

Thonet chairs in dark wood color in interior design

• white – white Viennese furniture looks “light” and laconic, which allows you to add airiness to even the smallest and cramped space;

White Viennese chairs in interior design

White “Thonet” chairs in the interior

White painted Viennese chairs in interior design

• black – the smooth curves of Thonet products in black give the interior a graphic and austere look;

Black Viennese chairs with wicker straw decor

Thonet chairs in black in the interior

Various models of Viennese chairs in black

• pastel palette - delicate powdery pink and mint colors are the most popular, but other shades also look very sophisticated;

Viennese chairs in mint shade in room design

Kitchen interior with bentwood chairs in pastel shade

• bright colors - the boldest solution would be a red Viennese chair, but rich yellow or blue are also good.

Red Viennese chairs in the interior of a country house

Interior with classic Viennese chairs in blue

Yellow “Thonet” chairs in interior design

If you often experiment with interior design, choose bent furniture in light wood color - not only is it always appropriate, but it is also the easiest to paint.

A universal shade for Viennese chairs is the color of light wood

The best manufacturers

Thonet products are now produced not only in Vienna - excellent brands are also represented in other countries:

Bright Viennese chairs in interior design

• Germany - production of the Thonet company is based here, which still produces classic models, as well as several modern ones (for example, office chairs);

Traditional Viennese chairs are produced in Germany

• Poland – the best versions are made by the Polish factories Paged and Fameg, both brands have been making examples in the “Thonet” style for more than a hundred years, maintaining quality and loyalty to tradition;

Chairs in the classic Thonet design are also produced in Poland

• Belarus - from this country they bring products in the antique Soviet style familiar to the Russian buyer;

Soviet-style Viennese chairs can be found from Belarusian manufacturers

• Russia – local manufacturers are popularizing bent furniture with upholstery (a large selection of Russian models is presented in multi-brand stores, for example, in DG-Home, you can also buy them to order).

Russian brands produce Viennese chairs with upholstery

Viennese chairs: variety of models

The variety of bentwood products is enormous - there are now thousands of versions of the iconic Thonet product on the market. What models should you pay attention to when decorating your interior?

Various models of Viennese chairs in the interior

Classic dining chair

Traditional dining models without armrests are ideal for the kitchen, and their compactness and lightness make them an excellent option for any room size. The options differ mainly in the height of the backrest. Solutions with woven straw decor look stylish and very relevant - they will complement the modern eco-style. Classic products are appropriate not only in the dining area - designers often add Viennese chairs to the interior of a terrace or balcony, and also use them as additional seating in the living room.

Viennese dining chairs in dining room design

Classic Thonet chairs in the kitchen interior

Decorating Viennese chairs with original textiles

With soft seat and/or back

Compared to traditional ones, models with a soft seat and back are more comfortable for long-term use - this is the best choice for those who like long sittings at the table. Soft Viennese chairs will perfectly complement the interior of a small studio apartment: firstly, they do not take up much space, and secondly, they are convenient to use both as dining and for work/leisure.

Viennese chairs with soft seats in a cafe interior

Viennese armchairs with soft seats in the interior

Soviet-style Viennese chairs with soft seats in the interior

With armrests

Options with armrests are closer to the comfort of a chair: they are perfect for relaxing. Place such a chair in the living room, lounge area on the balcony, terrace or veranda, in the bedroom next to the dressing table or even in the office - and this model will bring aesthetics and originality to your interior. It can also be used in a child’s room: in a baby’s room it is suitable for parents to relax, and in an older child’s bedroom it will decorate a place for reading or playing.

Viennese armchairs with armrests in the interior of the kitchen-living room

Armchair with bent wood armrests in Thonet style

Chair-chair “Thonet” with armrests in the interior of the office

High bar model

Viennese bar stools are rarely found in interiors - their pronounced retro mood is difficult to combine with modern kitchens with an island or bar counter. But they perfectly complement rooms with a rustic aesthetic, for example, in rustic, country and Provence styles. For a modern industrial style, give preference to models with a metal frame.

Viennese bar stool in a kitchen interior with an island

Viennese bar stool in the interior of a modern kitchen

High stool in the “Thonet” style in the interior

Low stool

The most versatile and compact piece of furniture with bentwood elements is the low Viennese stool. This model will be useful in any room of your home: use it as a pouf in the hallway, as a stand for small items in the bathroom, near the dressing table in the bedroom, in the children’s playroom, and so on. Such stools are easy to store by stacking several on top of each other: take them out when a lot of guests come to the house and there are not enough seats at the table.

Red Viennese stools in the interior of the dining area

Low Viennese stool in the living room interior

Viennese stools with soft upholstery in the interior

Thonet stools look stylish not only as furniture for sitting: in the living room or lounge area they can serve as an elegant coffee table, and in the bedroom - as a bedside table.

Viennese stool as a coffee table in the interior

You can use a Viennese chair as a bedside table

Repair of chair mounts

The ends of the worn parts that are connected to each other are sawn several centimeters deep. Then a wedge is driven between them. Thus, the expanded part fits tightly into the seat.

When working with antiques, a thin hole is made in the seam of the joint. Then wood glue is injected there. In case of severe wear of the tenon, a wedge is made. The wedge is made from wood chips coated with glue. It must be inserted into the hole along with the part during the assembly process.

Viennese chairs in interiors of different styles

The laconic design makes Thonet products suitable for any interior style - you just need to choose the right model. Make sure of this by looking at the photos of interiors with bent furniture below.

Classic Viennese chair as a design element in the interior

Classic and Art Deco

Antique Viennese chairs in a natural shade of wood, as well as options in white, look great in a classic interior. Both models with a soft seat and traditional ones will complement this design equally harmoniously. However, it is better to add such a piece of furniture to a more restrained version of the classics without pompous stucco molding and gilding. On the contrary, in the Art Deco style, which is replete with such elements, Thonet furniture will become the very minimalist accent that will balance the interior.

Viennese chairs in a classic style interior

Viennese chair in Art Deco interior design

Viennese chairs in the interior of a dining room in Art Deco style

Provence, country, rustic, boho

All these styles are united by a similar natural, “rustic” atmosphere with retro notes, which is associated with a cozy country holiday. Tonetov furniture looks as harmonious as possible in such an interior. Give preference to white Viennese chairs, options made of light wood, as well as those painted in pastel colors and decorated with straw.

Viennese chairs in a Provence style interior

Viennese chairs in boho interior design, photo M. Burkhalter

Chairs “Thonet” in the design of a terrace in Provence style

Scandinavian style and minimalism

Fans of the restrained Scandinavian style have revived their interest in furniture in the “Thonet” style – they are most often found in such interiors. Their simple design fits perfectly into the Scandinavian concept of “eco-friendly and nothing superfluous”. Most often, white and unpainted wooden models are used here, but you can often find black Viennese chairs. Vienna straws are sometimes added as decoration. Similarly, these products are used in interior design in a minimalist style.

Viennese chairs in the interior of a kitchen-living room in a Scandinavian style

Thonet chair in a Scandinavian-style home office interior

Mid-century modern

Bent wood products look great in “vintage” interiors with mid-century aesthetics. Antique (or Soviet) models are in perfect harmony with furniture from the same era - for example, if you have an antique chest of drawers or sideboard, chairs will complement it perfectly. Wallpaper with pastoral motifs, rare or stylized lamps and decorative vases will complete the composition.

Viennese chair in a mid-century style interior

Antique Viennese armchairs in mid-century style, photo by J.-F. Gate

Combination of Viennese chairs and other mid-century style furniture in the interior

Loft

The loft style, with its pronounced industrial mood, loves metal - for such an interior it is better to choose options on a metal frame, especially in black. Bright models, for example, red or blue, will also be a bold decision. If your loft is dominated by cold stone (raw concrete or natural brickwork), choose wooden furniture - it will add warmth and comfort to the room.

Metal Viennese chairs in a loft style interior

Black Viennese metal chairs in the kitchen-living room in the loft style

Wooden Viennese chairs in a loft style interior

Modern style

Modern functional style values ​​simplicity and convenience of design, and in this sense, Viennese chairs can be considered the standard. Don't be confused by their vintage mood: modern design is unthinkable without eclecticism. Ideally, if you can find a real antique model with history - this will become a full-fledged piece of art - but stylization is also appropriate.

Viennese chairs in a modern style interior

Vintage Viennese chair in an eclectic modern interior

Viennese chairs in the modern interior of the kitchen-living room

Painting the frame (decoration)

If you want to preserve the wood grain, you need to cover the chair with stain

All dried frame products can be processed in any way. This can be paint, stain, varnish, gold leaf.

Chair after painting with stain

The seat is attached to the dried frame using self-tapping screws or metal corners. Now the Viennese chair is ready for use for its intended purpose in a new form.

The last stage is varnishing the chair

Native inscriptions confirming the original origin

Portrait of a girl sitting on a Viennese chair