A design-led home is not limited to sofas or chairs: the table is a true protagonist capable of transforming the lounge, kitchen or dining room into a space of character. From great classics of modern architecture to the most futuristic creations, there are tables that have made furniture history and remain unsurpassed for elegance, innovation and charm. In this article we will explore iconic design tables, discovering who conceived them, curiosities about their creative process and the reasons they have become cult objects for enthusiasts and collectors. Whether you are furnishing a new space or want to add a touch of style, let yourself be inspired by the most iconic table models: these designer pieces are ready to amaze you and to enliven your setting with exceptional lines, materials and stories.
INDEX
- Why famous design tables are so loved
- Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen (Knoll, 1956): a pedestal that defies gravity
- LC6 Table by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, Perriand (Cassina, 1928): functionalism in steel and glass
- Noguchi Coffee Table by Isamu Noguchi (Herman Miller, 1947): an organic sculpture for the lounge
- Reale by Carlo Mollino (Zanotta, 1946): eccentric elegance from the Turin architect
- Table T69 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1962): Italian experimentation and irony
- Eames Segmented Base Table (Herman Miller, 1964): the rationality of Charles and Ray Eames
- Superelliptical Table by Bruno Mathsson & Piet Hein (Fritz Hansen, 1968): geometric curves for conviviality
- Camaleonda Table by Mario Bellini: was the idea ever realised as a table?
- Glass Tables by FontanaArte: transparency centre-stage
- Newton Table by Boca do Lobo: sculptural avant-garde
- Conclusions: How to choose the designer table that suits you
1. Why famous design tables are so loved
When we talk about famous design tables the mind runs to works that marked an era: pieces conceived by architects, designers and artists who knew how to combine beauty and function in a revolutionary way. Some of these tables became milestones of modernism; others represent avant-garde creativity or the quest for innovative materials. Reasons why these designer tables stir such admiration are manifold:
- Innovation: they often introduced unprecedented forms, groundbreaking technical solutions or surprising material pairings, challenging the conventions of their time and opening new paths for contemporary design.
- Iconic authorship: many tables by renowned architects (from Le Corbusier to Carlo Mollino) carry a fascinating story linked to the creator’s avant-garde personality and vision.
- Longevity and value: despite being designed in different eras (from the 1920s to today), many of these tables continue to be produced or sought-after on the vintage and collectors’ market. Their value holds or even grows, proving the strength of the concept and craftsmanship.
- Interior adaptability: however daring some forms may appear, the “great classics” integrate even into modern, industrial or minimal contexts, making them timeless and ever-current.
Within the furnishing panorama, famous designer tables embody a history of experimentation and everlasting creativity. Owning one at home means sharing a fragment of the genius and culture that generated them.
2. Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen (Knoll, 1956): a pedestal that defies gravity
Among the most celebrated, beloved design tables, the Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen, designed in 1956 for Knoll, stands out. Saarinen’s idea was to break the traditional “slum of legs” beneath tables by replacing them with a single central pedestal, slim and tapered. Hence the name “Tulip”: the base recalls a blooming tulip’s calyx.
Anecdote: the battle of the legs
Saarinen recounted that inspiration arose from observing the visual disorder under dining tables and chairs. He wanted a table that would “clean up” that area, giving uniformity and fluidity. He created various plaster prototypes, testing the central foot’s stability. The innovation lay in using a composite material (cast aluminium and/or cast iron) for the base combined with tops in laminate, marble or wood. The result was an elegant, sculptural silhouette described as “anti-gravitational.”
Value and placement
Today Saarinen’s Tulip adapts to many settings: contemporary kitchens, refined dining rooms, offices and contract spaces. It exists in numerous sizes (also as coffee or side tables) and with different top finishes. Anyone seeking an instantly recognisable iconic table finds in the Tulip the quintessence of modernist simplicity. Buying new may require a significant investment, but well-kept used examples are often available—perfect for adding a touch of history to any room.
3. LC6 Table by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret, Perriand (Cassina, 1928): functionalism in steel and glass
Moving to a cornerstone of modernism, the LC6 table created by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand in 1928 stands as a manifesto of rationalist poetics. It is part of the “LC” series that also includes chairs, armchairs and sofas, all produced by Cassina under official licence.
Anecdote: aeronautical inspiration
The LC6’s frame draws inspiration from aeronautical tubular structures. Le Corbusier was fascinated by the precision and lightness of aircraft components. The base of painted steel tubing with four ovalised supports holds a thick glass top, creating a contrast between solidity and transparency. The effect is one of essential, almost technical elegance that mirrors the “form follows function” philosophy and the desire to reduce ornament to a minimum.
Why choose it
Though nearly a century old, the LC6 maintains a very current aesthetic and integrates well into minimal, industrial or modern-classic interiors. It is often used as a dining table but can also become a sophisticated workspace. With its linearity it stands out in bright contexts where the glass top reflects surrounding details. Among tables by famous architects, it is one of the most iconic and sought-after—a timeless designer piece.
4. Noguchi Coffee Table by Isamu Noguchi (Herman Miller, 1947): an organic sculpture for the lounge
Not all famous design tables are destined for the dining room. Another paradigmatic example is the Noguchi Coffee Table, created by Japanese-American sculptor and designer Isamu Noguchi in 1947 for Herman Miller. Intended as a coffee table, it is composed of two curved wooden elements that interlock to support a free-form glass top.
Anecdote: a table as sculpture
Noguchi, a pupil of Brancusi, believed that furniture could be an extension of sculptural art. This table perfectly exemplifies that idea: it unites solidity and lightness, with the two wooden pieces seeming to dance beneath the glass. Each leg has a different profile, yet they complement each other in perfect harmony. Anecdote has it Noguchi initially created the table as a one-off for his own home; success was such that Herman Miller put it into production, and it remains one of the most loved coffee tables.
Where to place it
The Noguchi Table suits modern, vintage or eclectic lounges. Its organic aspect contrasts wonderfully with square lines of sofas or bookcases. If you want a low table that seizes attention, this is an incomparable functional artwork. Over the years there have been many reinterpretations and imitations, but the original remains a must-have for lovers of sculptural design.
5. Reale by Carlo Mollino (Zanotta, 1946): eccentric elegance from the Turin architect
Carlo Mollino, Turin architect and designer, is an enigmatic figure of multifaceted talent. In 1946 he conceived the Reale table, produced by Zanotta, an object that combines sinuous curves and an elaborate sub-structure. The solid-wood base consists of uprights and crosspieces that draw an exposed lattice while the glass top reveals the construction’s complexity.
Anecdote: a glance at nature
Mollino loved taking inspiration from natural forms, tree branches, animal bones. The Reale is a prime example: the structure seems almost alive, with joints crossing and supporting each other harmoniously. A curious anecdote: Mollino, passionate about flying and car racing, transferred these passions into his furniture experiments, aiming for light, dynamic solutions.
Why it is a unique designer table
The Reale never goes unnoticed: placed in a dining room or executive office it mesmerises through its sculptural silhouette. It is an almost artistic table that requires adequate space to shine. If you seek a piece that provokes wonder and conversation, this Carlo Mollino creation offers enormous aesthetic and historical impact, representing the synthesis of his free, visionary design thinking.
6. Table T69 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni (1962): Italian experimentation and irony
The Castiglioni brothers signed numerous cult objects in furniture and lighting (think of the Arco lamp or Mezzadro stool). Among their less-known yet interesting tables is the Table T69, designed around 1962. It features a playful base formed by a central column with arms supporting the round glass or wooden top.
Anecdote: the poetry of irony
Achille Castiglioni loved irony and experimenting with unusual materials or surprising solutions. To create T69, the Castiglioni brothers sought a simple way to support a circular top with a single central element, while also wanting a visually distinctive sign. Thus the central structure takes on a dynamic, almost mechanical profile that captures the eye.
Use at home
If you need a designer table—perhaps as a coffee table or small dining table in a compact space—the more modestly sized version of T69 could fit the bill. It is a piece of Italian modernism telling the Castiglionis’ genius, adding a vintage yet ever-current touch. In a minimal-furnished living room the base’s ironic shape stands out; in an eclectic setting it becomes a linking element between styles.
7. Eames Segmented Base Table (Herman Miller, 1964): the rationality of Charles and Ray Eames
Charles and Ray Eames are best known for their chairs (the Lounge Chair, the Plastic Chair), yet they also signed table lines for Herman Miller. The Eames Segmented Base Table (1964) is an example of functional design aimed at offices and meeting rooms but appreciated in domestic contexts too.
Anecdote: modularity and purpose
The Eameses designed a segmented modular structure that could be easily adapted to tops of different shapes and sizes (round, rectangular, oval). In contract settings this table became popular because it allowed customised compositions. Anecdote relates that Ray Eames insisted greatly on the aesthetic of the metallic joints, making them appear almost “ornamental” in their essentiality.
Practical value
Today an Eames Segmented Table can serve as a dining table in an industrial loft or as a desk in a design studio. It is sober, stable and reflects the Eames philosophy: solving real problems with elegant lines. For lovers of the Eames style it completes the collection alongside iconic DSR or DAW chairs.
8. Superelliptical Table by Bruno Mathsson and Piet Hein (Fritz Hansen, 1968): geometric curves for conviviality
The Superelliptical Table was born from collaboration between Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson and Danish mathematician-poet Piet Hein for Fritz Hansen. Its special feature is the super-elliptical top—a curve combining ellipse and rectangle—providing a convivial surface without sharp corners.
Anecdote: inspiration from mathematics
Piet Hein studied the super-ellipse to solve traffic-flow problems (such as roundabouts in oddly shaped squares). Applying it to a table meant ensuring equal seating comfort on every side, promoting sociability. Legend says the idea arose after observing crowded round tables where people bumped into each other, thus the super-ellipse offered a broad, “soft” surface.
Where to place it
Ideal as a dining table in modern or Scandinavian interiors, the Superelliptical with metal base and lacquered top (white or black) conveys sober yet futuristic aesthetics. Combined with minimal chairs (perhaps Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7) it produces a typically Nordic dining set. Available in various lengths for six to eight people or more compact versions for four diners, it merges mathematical rationality with ergonomic harmony.
9. Camaleonda Table by Mario Bellini: was the idea ever realised as a table?
Clarification is needed here: “Camaleonda” is actually a celebrated modular sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. Nevertheless Bellini also sketched tables and accessories playing with modularity and flexibility. Though there is no officially famous “Camaleonda Table,” some Bellini concepts envisioned composable tops on supports evoking the sofa’s versatility.
Anecdote: Bellini and modularity
Mario Bellini has always loved the idea of aggregate elements: in his visions tables could lengthen or change shape through additional inserts. Some prototypes—never officially mass-produced or made in limited runs—were experiments on joint systems and height adjustment.
Curiosity
If you want a genuine “designer table” by Mario Bellini, it is better to focus on other projects like the La Rotonda Table (1976) for Cassina, where a crossed wooden base supports a circular glass top. Less known than the Camaleonda sofa yet still a fine piece and easier to find on the vintage design market, it showcases Bellini’s poetry of joints and essential geometries.
10. Glass Tables by FontanaArte: transparency centre-stage
In the realm of glass use, a brand that set benchmarks is FontanaArte, specialised in lighting and furnishings. Among its iconic pieces are several tables based on transparent or reflective load-bearing structures that play with light and lightness.
Anecdote: rational inspiration
Founded by Gio Ponti and Luigi Fontana in the 1930s, FontanaArte has experimented for decades with glass’s potential in architecture and furniture. Some tables, such as Gio Ponti’s “1932 Table,” feature strict lines and extra-clear tops, creating an effect of “absence” in the room. Other FontanaArte models use curved glass bases, evoking water’s fluidity.
Why choose it
If you love bright interiors and want a table that almost disappears, a FontanaArte glass table is ideal. It suits modern living rooms where parquet or coloured rugs stand out through transparency. Beware of scratches and knocks, though: glass is resistant but not immune to damage, thus requires some care. Aesthetically it delivers a wow effect, perfect for spaces not excessively crowded with furniture.
11. Newton Table by Boca do Lobo: sculptural avant-garde
For those seeking baroque-futuristic style, Boca do Lobo’s Newton Table is an out-of-the-box specimen. It is made of metallic spheres of different sizes welded together to form an apparently chaotic base, with a top featuring glass or marble inserts. This sculptural table is almost a performance rather than simple furniture.
Anecdote: cosmic inspiration
The name “Newton” recalls gravity, and the sphere structure evokes a planetary system in orbit. Designers at Boca do Lobo reportedly wanted a disruptive piece combining luxury and provocation. Indeed, versions in polished brass or black lacquer paired with golden details create a stark contrast.
For a scenic living space
The Newton Table demands ample rooms and equally bold décor; otherwise it risks overpowering the setting. It fits well in villas or lofts where spectacularity is pursued. Far from minimalism, it embraces opulence and theatricality. Anyone wanting an “icon” table of modern times, at a high price, will find in Newton a statement of extreme, unique style—decidedly Instagram-worthy.
12. Conclusions: How to choose the designer table that suits you
This overview of famous design tables unveils a universe of creativity spanning the modernist rigour of Le Corbusier to the sculptural lightness of Noguchi up to Boca do Lobo’s experimental opulence. But how to orient yourself when selecting the perfect table for your space?
Assess the space
Measure carefully the room or area where the table will go. Overall bulk must ensure easy passage, especially for a dining table in a hall or a coffee table in the lounge.
Decide the function
Daily dining requires durable materials and a top that withstands constant use. For a coffee table in the living area you can dare fragile materials like glass or more extravagant forms.
Choose a style consistent with décor
If you have a minimal sofa and neutral palette, an overly baroque table might jar (or, if you seek bold contrast, it may produce great impact). What matters is overall harmony.
Ensure quality
A designer table is an investment. If buying new from renowned brands, verify authenticity and warranty. If hunting vintage or second-hand, turn to reliable sellers such as Deesup’s pre-owned design marketplace, where you can find iconic pieces often at more accessible prices.
Consider maintenance
Marble tops stain easily with acidic liquids; precious woods need periodic oil or wax; glass requires frequent cleaning to avoid streaks. Proper care will keep your table charming over time.
Ultimately, famous design tables are not just objects to admire in photos but true miniature architectures that, once placed at home, recount stories of revolutionary ideas and aesthetic sensitivity. If you love modernism you can opt for Saarinen’s Tulip or Le Corbusier’s LC6; if you prefer sculptural impact there is the Noguchi Table or more experimental projects. Whatever direction you take, a designer table enriches the environment and becomes a conversation focal point, reminding you daily how much beauty can spring from the fusion between function and art.