Bentwood Chairs

Bentwood chairs were invented over a hundred years ago in Austria, and remain one of the most popular choices for cafe chairs today. Lightweight, durable, and timeless, a bentwood chair calls to mind Parisian cafes and outdoor dining – well worth considering for any hospitality space.

The origins of bentwood chairs:

Michael Thonet, an Austrian cabinetmaker, pioneered the bentwood chair in Vienna in the 1800s. His bentwood vintage chairs are some of the most successful examples of early, mass-produced furniture. They were exhibited in London in 1851, and were sold in vast quantities throughout Europe and the United States. Because the chairs were light, stylish, and comparably inexpensive, this style became popular for clubs, hotels, shops and restaurants. Over time, the bentwood chair has become synonymous with cafe furniture.

Thonet’s technique was patented in 1842, and you can still tell an authentic bentwood chair by the THONET carved into the wood.

How are bentwood chairs made?

Vintage bentwood chairs were made by steaming wooden rods and bending them into a curved shape, hence the name.

Most commonly, beechwood is used as this variety is less likely to split. The steamed wood has a highly increased flexibility that allows it to be bent into the desired shape. Once secured in place, the wood is allowed to dry. The same method is used in rocking chairs, creating a smooth curve without carving the wood.

Choosing the perfect bentwood chair for your space:

Old bentwood chairs are synonymous with chic European cafes, and are an excellent choice for any commercial dining space. When it comes to cafes and the classic bistro, the bentwood dining chair is living up to its timeless reputation.

Beyond bentwood chairs for sale, B Seated is your one-stop shop for commercial furniture – we have everything you need to outfit a venue that looks great, and is a joy to visit.

Wood bentwood chairs

Beechwood is the most common choice for a wooden bentwood chair, because of its malleable nature. Classic is the name of the game here, which is why wood bentwood chairs are ideal for French bistros, cafe terraces, and artisanal coffee shops.

Antique bentwood chairs

Time-honoured styles like our Fuoco Arancia Bentwood Chair A-1889 remain popular. Excellent for restaurants and cafes that exude old-world charm, as well as for more eclectic modern spaces, to create a point of contrast.

Black bentwood chairs

Black bentwood chairs are a clever combination of classic and modern industrial. Pieces like our BENTWOOD A-788 Fan are great for urban cafes and gastropubs.

White bentwood chairs

This type of bentwood is great for modern, Scandinavian-style spaces, minimalist cafes and contemporary event spaces.

Bentwood cane chairs

Perfect for light, coastal interiors, cane bentwood chairs like our Benko Chair A-8120 are right at home in beach cafes, seaside restaurants and heritage hotels.