Iconic Furniture on Screen

From Arne Jacobsen’s legendary Egg chair to the elegant Chesterfield sofa, furniture occupies a prominent place in our collective imagination, particularly in cinema and on television. Featured in iconic scenes and refined sets, these iconic pieces are not just decorative elements: they contribute to the atmosphere, style and emotion of a film or series. In this article, we invite you to rediscover these legendary creations, which over time have become true stars of the screen.

Designed in 1958 for the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, the Egg chair is an iconic example of Danish design.

Help! (1965) : The Beatles use this chair in their film.
Men in Black (1997): The chair appears in the Men in Black headquarters.
Zoolander (2001): Used in the film’s setting.
Ugly Betty (2006): Present in Wilhelmina Slater’s office.
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008): Appears in the film.

Introduit en 1956, le fauteuil Eames Lounge est un symbole du design américain, alliant confort et élégance.

Iron Man (2008): Present in Tony Stark’s house.
House, M.D. (2004–2012) : Visible in the office of Dr. Gregory House.
Gossip Girl (2007–2012): Appears in the main characters’ apartments.
Closer (2004): Used in the film’s setting.

The LC4 chaise longue, designed by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand, is an icon of modernist furniture.
Combining ergonomics and elegance, it perfectly hugs the curves of the body to provide maximum comfort. This iconic piece symbolizes the marriage of functional design and refined aesthetics.

9½ Weeks (1986): Visible in the film’s setting.
Chloe (2009): Present in Catherine’s apartment.

Created in 1929, the Barcelona chair is an example of German modernism, combining simplicity and sophistication.

Casino Royale (2006): Featured in the film’s setting.
American Psycho (2000): Seen in Patrick Bateman’s apartment.
House of Gucci (2021): Used in the film’s sets.
Iron Man 2 (2010): Appears in Tony Stark’s office.

Designed in 1925–1926 by Marcel Breuer while he was head of the metal workshop at the Bauhaus in Dessau, the Wassily chair (also known as the B3 model) is an icon of modern design. Inspired by the handlebars of his Adler bicycle, Breuer used bent steel tubing to create a lightweight and functional structure, revolutionizing furniture at the time.

9½ Weeks (1986): Featured in the film’s setting.
Promising Young Woman (2020): Two Wassily chairs are seen in the living room of the heroine’s apartment.
X-Men: First Class (2011): Appears in the film’s setting.
Hollywood (2020): Visible in the series’ setting.

The patinated leather club chair is a design icon, combining comfort and elegance. First appearing in the early 20th century as the “comfortable armchair,” it quickly gained popularity in gentlemen’s clubs in France and England, hence its current name. Its rounded silhouette, deep seat, and patinated full-grain leather give it a timeless charm.

Casablanca (1942) – comfort of hushed lounges.
Chinatown (1974) – private offices evoking understated luxury and nostalgia.

Designed in 1928 by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand, the LC2 is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional club chair.
Its chrome-plated tubular steel frame and generous cushions make it a symbol of modernist design. Manufactured by Cassina, it is renowned for its comfort and sleek aesthetic.

Sherlock (2010–2017): Present in the apartment of Sherlock Holmes, played by
Benedict Cumberbatch.
The Big Lebowski (1998): Visible in Maude Lebowski’s studio.
9½ Weeks (1986): Appears in the film’s setting.
Judy (2019): Used in the film’s sets.
Conclave (2016): Featured in the film’s setting.

Modular sofas from the 1970s are characterized by low seats, rounded lines, and materials like corduroy or other textured fabrics. This aesthetic evokes relaxation, comfort, and conviviality, and fits perfectly with the hedonistic and colorful atmosphere of the decade.

Boogie Nights (1997), the Californian interiors feature modular sofas in brown and orange tones, accentuating the sensual and relaxed atmosphere of the scenes.
Boogie Nights (1997), the Californian interiors feature modular sofas in brown and orange tones, accentuating the sensual and relaxed atmosphere of the scenes.

The Chesterfield sofa is an icon of classic British furniture, recognizable by its tufted leather, rolled armrests, and elegant finish. First appearing in the 18th century, this piece combines comfort and prestige, symbolizing the traditional refinement of living rooms and libraries.

The Chesterfield is often used to create an atmosphere of sophistication and luxury in decors.

The Great Gatsby (2013), where he helped create the sumptuous atmosphere of 1920s interiors.
Sherlock Holmes (2009), where he dresses the offices and living rooms of the main characters.

This timeless piece also appears in many police or drama series and films, where it helps to reinforce the elegant and sometimes mysterious side of spaces.

The Tulip table, designed by Eero Saarinen in the 1950s, is an iconic piece of modernist design. Its sleek, monolithic form features a circular top resting on a single central leg, eliminating the traditional four legs and creating a sense of lightness and fluidity. Available in a variety of sizes and materials, it blends seamlessly into both contemporary and retro interiors.

The Tulip table is often used for its elegant and minimalist lines, which bring a modern and chic style to decors.

Mad Men (2007–2015), where she illustrates the sophisticated interiors of 1960s offices and apartments.

Its refined aesthetic makes it a frequent choice in films or series seeking to create clear, harmonious and resolutely contemporary spaces.

The String modular bookcase, designed by Nils Strinning in 1949, is an icon of Scandinavian design. Its lightweight metal and wood structure allows for great flexibility: shelves, pedestals, and shelves can be combined and moved as needed. Its clean, functional design combines aesthetics and practicality, making it a durable and timeless choice for modern interiors.

The String library regularly appears in films and series for its practical and graphic side.

Mad Men (2007–2015), where she dresses the interiors of apartments and offices with a minimalist and chic touch.

Its modular style allows for the creation of varied decors, playing with the heights and compositions of decorative objects, books, and accessories.
Thanks to its light and open aesthetic, it contributes to airy and organized spaces, while adding an instantly recognizable visual signature.

Created in 1962, the Arco lamp is an icon of Italian design, combining functionality and aesthetics.

Diamonds Are Forever (1971): Found in Blofeld’s apartment.
Die Another Day (2002): Seen in Dr. Alvarez’s office.
The Italian Job (1969): Appears in the film’s setting.
House of Gucci (2021): Used in the film’s sets.
Iconic furniture doesn’t just adorn sets; it embodies eras, styles, and emotions. On screen, these pieces become characters in their own right, revealing the atmosphere of a place, the personality of a protagonist, or the intention of a director.

The next time you watch a film or a series, let your gaze glide over the armchairs, tables and bookcases: you might see an Egg, a Chesterfield or an Arco lamp, discreetly playing their part in the story.
The reference site for cinema furniture: Film and Furniture