Next big thing: Plywood

Designers are shaping this sustainable wood into simple but sleek furniture and lighting

By
last updated

THE STORY SO FAR

This strong, simple, lightweight wood has influenced furniture design
from timeless pieces such as the Eames DCM to the Cherner
chair. However, it's the pale, untreated finish that is a recent
highlight in furniture and lighting design, and within interior design too, using plywood as wall
cladding and kitchen units.

bedroom with wooden wall and white bed

(Image credit: TBC)

WHERE WE'VE SEEN IT

East London workshop, Unto This Last, create all their simple, distinctive designs for furniture and lighting in plain, laminated or wood veneer finished plywood.

tulip hanging lamp

(Image credit: untothislast.co.uk)

Tulip lamp from £35, Unto This Last

white cabinet

(Image credit: Unto This Last)

Cabinet in white, £190, Unto This Last

The simple framed A range of furniture ByAlex is laminated in grey, white and black with visible layers of plywood edges.

white wooden stool

(Image credit: By Alex)

A stool in grey, £82, By Alex

The design of the Very Good & Proper's Canteen chair is based on British school chairs with a coloured frame update.

turquoise utility chair

(Image credit: Twenty Twenty One)

Canteen utility chair, £258, Very Good and Proper at Twenty Twenty One

LATEST RELEASES

Interior and furniture designers Baines & Fricker use plywood within their retail interior design and SB01 series of furniture, accented with primary colours for upholstery and highlighted sections.

white table with chairs

(Image credit: Baines & Fricker)

SB01 series, Baines & Fricker

&New combine plywood with powder coated metal frames, cork and formica surfaces.

white room with sideboard and potted plant

(Image credit: &New)

Leonard sideboard, £1850, &New

New designer Thomas Paul started up Primary Grey in 2014, he combines plywood with colourful veneers and frames to highlight the pale wood tones of the plywood.

hexagonal plant pots

(Image credit: Primary Grey)

Hexagonal plant pot, from £40, Primary Grey

Alongside storage peg boards, Kreis Designs create home accessories that celebrates the formation of plywood by exposing and making a feature out of the layers.

kitchen utensils with plant pot and spoons

(Image credit: Kreis Designs)

Kitchen utensil holder, £32, Kreis Designs

Chocolate Creative creates hand-made hooks and and furniture handles out of plywood, finished with simple block colour and artistic scenes

wooden furniture handles

(Image credit: Chocolate Creative)

Bespoke wooden furniture handles, £35, Chocolate Creative

Lycan Design use the end grain of plywood as a contrasting feature against smooth veneers

white bedside table

(Image credit: Lycan Design)

Bedside table, £345, Lycan Design

******

Michela Colling
Latest