Some of the best furniture trends of this past year were amalgamations of two concepts in one. For example, the XTable by Kibis is a desk that looks like an ironing board. The base can be adjusted in the same way, making the product perfect for someone who likes to work both standing up and sitting down.
Designers tried to have fun with their ideas in 2012. A company called LOL furniture came up with chalkboard chairs, which encouraged artwork and never-ending designs. Each day one's kitchen could be transformed, depending on what was drawn on the seating.
Designers in the furniture industry pushed themselves to be more creative than ever in 2012. To further understand the trends in this field, check out our Furniture Trend Report.
Top 100 Furniture Trends of 2012
From Cubbyhole Sleeping Quarters to Chalkboard Chairs:
Jamie Danielle Munro — Jan 18, 2013 — Art & Design
100
Carpentry Off-Cut Furniture
The Wood-con-fusion Series by Eli Chissick is Made out of Scraps
99
Whimsically Imperfect Furniture
Seasons by Valentin Loellmann is Beautifully Organic
98
PET Bottle Lighting
The Bubble Chandelier by Souda is a Sparkling Eco-Friendly Orb
97
Social Media Sleepers
The FBed Concept is Inspired by the Facebook Logo
96
3-in-1 Furniture
The #006 SideSeat by PROOFF is a Seat, Desk and Storage in One
95
Rustic Cavemen Hotels
The Caves of Civita Hotel in Sextantio Italy Offers Primitive Luxury
94
Crumbled Concrete Lighting
The Minimalist 'Like Paper Lamp' Has Kinks and Crinkles
93
Boxed Interior Abodes
The Melander Architects Design Maximizes Living Space
92
Chalkboard Chairs
LOL Furniture Presents Unique Seating Styles
91
Celebrity Furniture Designs
The Pitt Pollaro Collection is Brad Pitt's Debut Line
90
Energy-Producing Workstations
Eddi Tornberg Harnesses Power From Office Spaces
89
Extruded Pendent Lamps
The EXTL Lights by David Irwin is Contemporary and Structured
88
Transformative Couture Editorials
The Vogue Netherlands September 2012 Photoshoot is Experimental
87
Compact Camper Sleepers
The Teardrop Trailer Allows You to Rough it in Comfort
86
Imaginative Kids' Nests
'Roly Poly' Provides Entertainment for Creative Children
85
Rock-inspired Furniture
The Isola Collection by Gumdesign is Full of Eclectic Geometric Shapes
84
Deluxe Domestic Playground Equipment
Svvving Luxury Swings Bring Fun to Fancy Homes
83
Material-Juxtaposed Furniture
The Laselva Studio Creates Quirky Products That Are Full of Texture
82
Cubbyhole Sleeping Quarters
This Menuires Ski Resort Apartment Compartmentalizes its Occupants
81
Cantilevered Marble Furniture
The SUTIL Table is Made Out of Carrara Marble and Carbon Fiber
80
Fascinating Food Artography
Everyday Object Art by Kevin Van Aelst Makes Mundane Objects Awesome
79
Inflatable Steel Furniture
Zieta Prozessdesign Creations are Contemporarily Cartoonish
78
Magnetic Wooden Tables
Multiple by Raphael Charles Can Take on Various Fun Shapes
77
Sliced-Off Furniture
The CUTLINE Collection Balances Between the Hidden and Visible
76
Flower Petal Furniture
Bruehl's Morning Dew Chair is Refreshing and Feminine
75
Plywood Puzzle Furnishings
The Coordinate Collection by Praktrik Features Modular Pieces
74
Animal Sculpture Furniture
The Hippo Coffee Table Collection is Adorably Realistic
73
Eccentric Tetris-Style Sofas
To Gather Presses the Piecing of Odd Modules Together
72
Shipping Container Workspaces
The Sugoroku Office by Daiken-Met Architects is Stacked Cargo Boxes
71
DIY Erasable Wall Decor
The How to Mix Chalkboard Paint Tutorial is Easy and Awesome
70
Expandable Furniture
Reinier de Jong's REK Coffee Table Grows and Shrinks as Needed
69
Icing-Inspired Stools
The D-Vision 'Soft Comfort Seats' are Oddly Shaped But Extremely Soothing
68
Ironing Board-Like Desks
The XTable by Kibisi is Manually High-Adjustable Via a Crank
67
Colored Corner Furnishings
The Soapbox Furniture Requires No Tools to Assemble
66
Acoustic-Absorbing Furniture
The Rosa Chair by Studio KMJ Provides a Distraction Barrier
65
Face-Down Furniture
Liogy Aims for Comfort with New Designs
64
Adjustable Multifunctional Furniture
The Takka Table and Stools is Made for Small Spaces
63
Recycled Robust Storage
The Roadie Collection by Karpenter is Durable and Sustainable
62
Calming Office Furniture
The Rest and Concentration in the Workplace Collection is Comfy
61
Repurposed Fridge Furnishings
Van der Kooij Endless Collection is Robot-Made from Old Appliances
60
Timber Coattailed Seating
This Wooden Chair by Pasi Savunen Has Been Clad with a Sense of Occasion
59
Functional Origami-Like Furniture
The News Coffee Table by Boris Ignatov is Great for Saving Space
58
Over-Sized Cosmetics Furniture
The MakeUp Now! Accessories are Set to Polish Your Living Rooms
57
Moon-Inspired Lighting
MONOCOMPLEX's Scene #01 Floor Lamp is Eerily Romantic
56
Domino-Like Furniture
The KERAMOS Cabinet by Coprodotto is Colorfully Cute
55
Geometry-Inspired Furniture
Nicole Tomazi Impresses With her New 'Fractal' Collection
54
Pop Culture-Inspired Seating
Caricature as Furniture Part 1 is Inspired by Iconic Characters
53
Leftover Timber Furniture
The Endy Series by Studio Ve is Cute and Eco-Conscious
52
Burnt Lumber Furniture
Wood Casting by Hilla Shamia Boasts a Metal Base
51
Sunny Side Up Furniture
WamHouse's Table Egg is Inspired by a Breakfast Meal
50
Industrial Pipe Furniture
DOSUNO Design's Open Tap Project Uses Repurposed Materials
49
Customized Cardboard Sofas
The Monocomplex Sculpture Project is All That it's Stacked Up to Be
48
Elegantly Urban Shelves
The sheLLf Bookcase by Ka-Lai Chan is an Intricate Design
47
Modern Mechanized Furniture
The Astrolab Dining Table Extends Via Remote Control
46
Slatted Herbage Storage
The Standard Numero 4 Vegetalise Affords and Orderly Arrangement of Plants
45
Wire-Suspended Furniture
The Infinity Conference Table by Bozhinovski Design is Futuristic
44
Sunken Furniture Surfaces
Rising Table by Robert van Embricqs is Organically Intricate
43
Flowering Fresnel Lighting
The RSA House Chandelier by Troika is Technologically Modern
42
DNA-Inspired Furniture
The Mutation Series by Maarten De Ceulaer is Excitingly Experimental
41
Residential-Style Accommodations
The James Chicago Hotel Boasts a Warm and Modern Design
40
Subway Tunnel Housing
'The Apartment' by IKEA is Located in a Parisian Metro
39
Technicolor Interwoven Furniture
The Anthony Hartley Cable Collection is Candy-Like
38
Origami-Inspired Seating
The Star Chair by Michael Samoriz is a Crafty Addition to Any Interior
37
Blow-Up Backseat Beds
The Inflatable Car Airbed Makes Sleeping in Your Car More Comfortable
36
Rustic Jar Lighting
Luke Lamp Co. Creates Light Fixtures That are Full of Character
35
Hybrid Modular Desks
Strates System by Mathieu Lehanneur is Both a Shelf and a Table
34
Modular Toy-Inspired Shelving
Clark Art Center's Jacob Bookcase is Playfully Practical
33
Colorfully Perforated Furniture
The PEEP Storage Units Allow Natural Light to Seep Through
32
Funambulist Children's Furniture
Flip for Kids Encourages Dynamic Physical Development
31
Multifaceted Industrial Furnishings
The Acciaio Series 2 Explores the Geometries of Surface
30
Unfolding Circular Furniture
The Fan Table by Mauricio Affonso Explores Social Interaction
29
Spindly Bedside Seating
Alfred by Loris & Livia Masquerades as One Object and Excels as Another
28
Warm Minimalist Bathrooms
The Bisazza Bagno Nendo Collection is Organically Contemporary
27
Peculiar Plumbed Tables
The MT 01 Table Comprises a Spindly Frame of Galvanized Pipes
26
Simpson-Inspired Seats
'Caricature as Furniture' by 56th Studio is Minimalist
25
Fat Rabbit Furnishings
The Bunny Chair by Iskos-Berlin is a Youthful Rejuvination of the Wingback
24
Mini Tree Lighting
Bonsai by Moredesign is Inspired by a Traditional Japanese Art Form
23
Stacked Chair Storage
The Latten Shelving Unit Employs One Type of Piece for Another Purpose
22
Arboreal Lattice Ledges
The Esedra Domino Shelf Draws Branchlike Shadows Indoors
21
Coffee Filter Lampshades
Vilma Farrell of Lampada Creates Caffeinated Lighting
20
Tongue-Wagging Seats
WAMHOUSE's Armchair Paszcza is Cute and Carnal
19
Colorful Mountainous Cushions
Cumulus Project's Mound of Rounds is Mightily Multifunctional
18
Squeezebox Planter Partitions
The Herb2 System Provides Privacy, Decoration and Fresh Air
17
Saggy Resin Seating
The Family -ERT Collection Reinterprets the Conventional Forms of Furnishings
16
Colorful 60s Furniture
Suzie by Colonel is Bold and Bright
15
Bare-Boned Lighting
100 Watts is Influenced by the First Incandescent Lamp
14
Adabtable Arachnid Seating
The Limitless Spider Sofas Have Many Moving Legs for Maximal Comfort
13
Mixed Media Seating
The V & A Chairs are a Marriage of Old and New Materials
12
Colorful Furniture Underbellies
Fiss Family by My Own Super Studio Lights Up From Below
11
Slowly Sinking Bookcases
Raw Edges' Hole In The Floor is Full of Whimsy and Character
10
Vibrant Child-Centric Furniture
InKidible Hopes to Expand Kids Perspective of Contemporary Art
9
Artistically Corroded Furniture
Ka-lai Chan's The Ordinary Family Collection is Volatile
8
Spindly Side Tables
The Tap Collection by Monocomplex Lightens the Feel of Your Interiors
7
Badass Scorpion Workstations
The MWE Emperor 200 is Geeky with Attitude
6
Side-Stacked Storage Systems
The Bookcase 45x Balances Impossibly from the Cubbies' Corners
5
Unsteady Legged Seating
The Trippin' Series Plays with One's Visual Perception of Stability
4
Hollow Top Tables
Wood Table by Roman Shpelyk Provides a Smooth Surface and a Slot for Storage
3
Stackable LEGO Ledges
The Build It Modular Fixture is Secure in Assembly and Striking on Display
2
Assemblable Modular Cubbies
The OH Cabinet Makes Lovely Solo Storage and Chic Stacked Shelving
1
Retro Game Controller Cushions
Felt Sew Good Churns Out Geeky Pillows for Nintendo Fans
Related Ideas
Carpentry Off-Cut Furniture
The Wood-con-fusion Series by Eli Chissick is Made out of Scraps
3-in-1 Furniture
The #006 SideSeat by PROOFF is a Seat, Desk and Storage in One
Futuristic Circular Lamps
LED Uplighter by Claesson Koivisto Rune is Simplistic and Sophisticated
Extruded Pendent Lamps
The EXTL Lights by David Irwin is Contemporary and Structured
Movable Armrest Furniture
Hocky by Marcin Wielgosz is Multifunctional and Modern
Material-Juxtaposed Furniture
The Laselva Studio Creates Quirky Products That Are Full of Texture
Futuristic Urban Fashion
The Editorial by Julia Noni for Obsession Magazine Stars Ajak Deng
Dual Material Tables
The Split Collection by AXEL YBERG Takes on a Maze-Like Aesthetic
Cantilevered Marble Furniture
The SUTIL Table is Made Out of Carrara Marble and Carbon Fiber
Slightly Asymmetrical Workstations
Glitch Collection by Ryan Frank Exhibits Simplicity and Charm
Magnetic Wooden Tables
Multiple by Raphael Charles Can Take on Various Fun Shapes
Customizable Desk Revamps
The Brick House 'DIY Neon Table' is Made by Hand
Ironing Board-Like Desks
The XTable by Kibisi is Manually High-Adjustable Via a Crank
Practical Furniture Projects
The Ready-made in Design Project is a Handyman's Dream
Curvaceous Wooden Workstations
The Voltaire Desk by Paco Camus is Elegantly Sophisticated
Physics Articulated Furinture
The Newton Dining Table is Inspired by the Laws of Gravity
Structure-Wrapped Interiors
In House Wing, Architecture and Furniture Design are Uniquely United
Compressed Contemporary Campers
Heather's Compact Caravan is Efficiently Reduced to Requirements
Ascendable Timber Escritoires
The Ladder Desk by Mars Encourages Your Upward Professional Progress
Winsome Warehouse Interiors
The Appartmento AL Takes Industrial Chic to the Minimalist Extreme
Subtly Curved Seating
The Alvo Stool for Urbancase is Completely Made by Hand
Lounging Film Prop Editorials
Linda Evangelista for Vanity Fair Spain September 2012 is Sensual
Stocking-Inspired Furnishings
The Socks + Furniture Collection by Greg Papove is Playful and Cozy
Posh Cardboard Seating
The Re-PLY Chair by Dan Goldstein is a Eco-Firned
Distraught Forest Pictorials
The Spirit of Nature by Koty 2 is a Sensual Monochromatic Story
Athletic Brand-Inspired Art
New Balance London Experience Center Showcases Sport & Craft
Vise-inflicted Furniture
The Ceci N’est Pas Une Table is Robbed of Its Former Functionality
Illuminated Resin Tops
The Tree Rings by Judson Beaumont Belongs in a Funky Fairy World
Foliage-Encouraging Furniture
Botanic Hydroponic Furniture by Clement Sarrodie is Refreshing
Futuristic Faceted Furniture
The Foldone Table by Novae Architecture is Sleek and Sci-Fi
Post and Beam Furniture
The Ponte Table by Strala Boasts a Striking Architectural Base
Private Height-Adjustable Desks
The Tyde Table by Vitra Encourages Standing in Office Settings
Arching Wooden Seats
Flexible Bamboo Stool by Grass Studio is Completely Recyclable
Hi-Tech Table Tennis Furniture
The Waldner Ping Pong Table Boasts a Multi-Touch Surface
Amish-Inspired Fashion
The L’Officiel Paris September 2012 Editorial Stars Patrycja Gardygaj
Creepy Furniture Captures
'Happy Birthday Tessa and Lisa' Celebrates Dysfunctional Families
Arched Steel Furniture
The Bow Table and Bench by Benjamin Hubert is Both Simple and Complex
Math-Inspired Furniture
The Fibonacci Cabinet Modernizes the Traditional Chinese Medicine Cabinet
Boldly Framed Barns
The Casa Pre de Sura Treats Surrounding Views Like Large Living Pictures
Faceted Timber Furniture
Diamond Wood by Tesler-Mendelovitch is Sculpturally Prismatic
Four-in-One Furniture Designs
Fanny Adam Creates a Single Piece for Small Spaces
Prismatic Exaggeration Garments
The W Magazine Living Large Editorial was Shot by Mert and Marcus
Avocado Crate Lighting
The Recycled Pendant Lamps by Kelly Caruso is Full of Rustic Texture
Microscope-Like Lighting
The Who is Watching You Lamp is Inspired by Security Cameras
Gravity-Inspired Furniture
Science Buffs Can Enjoy Their Breakfast on Newton's Table
Psychedelic Rebel Photoshoots
Click Clash by Teneshia Carr for Kurv is Wild and Badass
Adabtable Arachnid Seating
The Limitless Spider Sofas Have Many Moving Legs for Maximal Comfort
Winsome Wedged Dwellings
The Onou House Rigidly Defines Views from Both Ends of the Abode
Abstract Flower-Inspired Lighting
The Orchid Lamp by YoungJae Kim Has Minimalistic Sweeping Lines
Vibrant Web-Like Furniture
The Nodo Collection of Tables by Pentagono Estudio is Intricate
Mid-Century Nelson-Inspired Workstations
Laura Desk by Phloem Studio is Both Modern and Classic
Hi-Tech Rocking Chairs
The iRock by Micasa Lab Has a Built-In iPad Dock and Sound System
Nature-Inspired Fabric Lighting
Printed Drumshade Pendants by Jefdesigns are Bold and Bright
Gorgeous Greenhouse Attics
The House in Yamasaki is Capped with Little Light-Filled Abodes
Heavy-Duty Cement Furniture
The Concrete Collection by Matali Crasset is Made for a Masculine Home
Undulating Spherical Lighting
The Libera Pendant Lamp by Lucente is Full of Movement
Comfortable Camping Couches
The Eastpak Sofa Beautifully Blends a Backpack with a Chesterfield
Sweet Garden-Ready Gowns
Kate Moss Stars in Soft & Pretty Editorial for Elle France August 2012
Donut-shaped Seating
The Ru-Ju Stool by Yu-Fen Lo Was Inspired by the Ancient Jade Coin
Basket-Base Lighting
The Lightweight Collection by Tord Boontje Comes With Grounded Storage
Subtly Splayed Seating
The Fluid Chair by Jiwoong Jung Has a Slew of Sweeping Lines
Unfinished Painted Seats
The Dip Chair by Folklore is a Modern Take on a Century-Old Staple
Rusty Iron Furniture
The Network Collection by STUDIO9 is Rustic and Industrial
Sharp Stackable Seating
The Plastic Lounge Chair by Mauro Fragiotta Boasts Geometric Angles
Minimalist Origami Lighting
The Moth Lampshade Creates Intricate Geometric Shades of Light
Angled Scandinavian Abodes
The Archipelago House Reaps the Benefits of Two Simultaneous Views
Unbelievable Chalk Portrayals
The Robert Longo Charcoal Drawings Depict Scenes from Life
Antler-Like Furniture
The Nube Coffee Table by Sandro Lopez is Organic and Fluid
Saucer-Embedded Furniture
The Tea for One Table by DESIGNK is Cute and Quirky
Tent-Inspired Furnishings
The Capri Sun Collection is Made of Metal Connectors and Wooden Sticks
Architect-Inspired Workstations
The Plan Desk by James Tattersall Boasts a Very Large Drawer
Sculptural Carbon Fiber Seating
The Dipinta Di Blu Chair by Adele Cassina is Darkly Elegant
Sound Wave-Like Furniture
The Stupa Table and Pendant Light Looks Made on a Pottery Wheel
Perky Poultry TV Trays
The Space Chicken by LoOok Has a Compact Clawprint for Close-Packed Rooms
Indestructible Steel Tables
The Twenty Gauge Desks Contain Aged Materials
Cube-Composed Furniture
The Atlas Series by The Fundamental Group Makes Tactile Geometry
Wooden Frame Lighting
The Featherlight Hanging Lamp is Inspired by Model Planes
Flipped Top Tables
The Doppeldecker Table Converts from Escritoire to Kitchen Fixture
Dangling Cubic Lighting
The Julian Appelius Dado Lamp Brightens Your Home with Geometry
Bright Geometric Furniture
The Kitara Coffee Table by Max Ptk is Easy to Assemble
Crumpled Metal Tables
The Crush by Fredrikson Stallard Collection Makes for Avant-Garde Furniture
Ruched Silk Lighting
The Aqua Creations Custom Lighting 2012 Installation is Glamorously Geometric
Inflatable Life-Saving Bangles
Self Rescue Bracelet Expands into an Effective Floatation Device
Wedge-Shaped Pastoral Cabins
The Shearers Quarters is a Blend of Old and New Australian Design
Cord-Varnished Seating
The Fishline Chair by Nendo Uses an Unorthodox Staining Technique
Quirky Recycled Furniture
Nina Tolstrup Creates Decor Pieces from Discarded Odds and Ends
Mini Cask-Inspired Lighting
The Baby Barrel Lamp by Nieuwe Heren is Simple and Small
Celebrity Clown Portraits
Francesco Lorenzetti Depicts Starts with Jester-Like Make-Up
Drum-Inspired Seating
The Rope Stool by Minki Kim Was Modeled After Traditional Korean Instrument
Handmade Minimalist Seating
These COCKOSH Wood Stools are Stunning
Vibrant Toy-Inspired Furniture
The Rainbow Side Table by Nathan Day is Colorfully Playful
Interlocking Furniture Bases
The Lock Table by J.P.Meulendijks is Made Out of Bent Bamboo
Modernized Retro Rocking Seats
The Roxy Chair is Stylishly Vintage Looking
Androgynous Windblown Editorials
Eugeniy Sauchenka Stars in the Photoshoot for 7th Man Magazine
Reconfigurable King-Size Beds
The Lect-Utopia Bed is Designed to Offer Comfort for Every Activity
Inflatable On-Board Rafts
The Extendable Lifeboat Compactly Enhances Your Watercraft Safety
Playful Jigsaw Tables
The Puzzle-Table by Anders Guld Lengthens Piece by Piece
Mobile Home Offices
The Blackhawk Secretary Trunk has a Bond Worthy Design
Plunger-Base Furniture
Sucker by Sam Lofgren is Made with Plumbers in Mind
Folding Flower Loungers
The Free Girevole Sofa Blossoms as a Daybed and Retracts as a Recliner
Reservoir-Inspired Furniture
The Watertower at Home Tables by Xiral Segard is Raw and Industrial
Upside-Down Basket Stools
The Emu Ivy Pouf is an Outdoor Seat, Ottoman and Light Fixture
Luxurious Ocean Floaties
The ParrLuxe Sea Cabana Makes Relaxing on the Water Easy
Diamond-Shaped Furniture
The Book Table by Rejon is Made for Dedicated Readers
Resin-Lined Seating
The Scrap Wood Chair by Seung Han Lee Uses Colorful Materials
Subtle Shapely Seats
The Curvas Dining Chair by Goncalo Campos is Minimalist and Elegant
Magnify Glass-Like Lighting
BOB by Shpelyk Roman is a Simple Adjustable Table Lamp
Doll-Inspired LIghting
The Kokeshi Lamp is Reminiscent of the Popular Japanese Collectible
Book-Inspired Furniture
Once Upon a Time Bookcase by Fabio Vinella is Charming and Imaginative
Rough Putty-Like Seating
The Amateur Masters Chair by Jerszy Seymour Looks Colorfully Unfinished
Trunk-Impaled Furniture
The Bloom Side Table is Made Out of Salvaged Cedar Wood
16 Cushy Animal-Inspired Seats
From Sable-Sea Life Seating to Dove-like Winged Furniture
Tiredly Collapsing Seats
The First Sitting Chair by Timm Ulrichs Falls Backwards in Defeat