Havenly Design Awards: Best in Furniture

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WORDS BY Staci Sturrock

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Published on July 23, 2021

Get ready to pop the champagne (and pin all the design goodness).

You’re about to discover the GOATs of the furniture universe. (aka, ‘Greatest Of All Time,’ for those of us who are more comfortable with design lingo than sports references. We won’t tell if you won’t.)

Because today is the day we reveal the inaugural Best in Furniture winners of the Havenly Design Awards. Insert: studio ***APPLAUSE*** here.

We created the Havenly Design Awards to recognize the best of the best of the BEST in interior design. Over the next few weeks, we’ll unveil the winners of categories such as:

  • Best in Living Rooms, Bedrooms and Nurseries
  • Most Impressive DIYer
  • Best Havenly Client Before & After

We’ll even reveal the Best Home Account That Makes Us LOL, because the Havenlys are meant to be fun. But more importantly, they’re designed (pun absolutely intended) to help you navigate the diverse, admittedly-somewhat-overwhelming field of home decor options. 

“There are so many amazing brands, designers and products out there,” says Melissa Wagner, Creative & Design at Havenly. “Sifting through it as a layperson (with good style, but no design background) can be really, really tough!” 

But take a deep breath, kick back, and go ahead and sip that bubbly, because Havenly designers have got your back. Hundreds of them, from every region of the country, voted on five contenders in each of the categories below. They weighed style, price, quality and of course, function — all necessary factors to evaluate before investing in a major furniture purchase.

Here are the results. The Havenly Design Awards for Best in Furniture go to…

BEST IN SEATING

Let’s face it, shopping for seating can be tricky. Not only are there countless (and then some) options, but there’s also the inevitable ‘sit test’ — is it actually comfortable? Rest assured that our winners not only take the styling cake, but also rank high on the comfort scale with lounge-worthy sofas and accent chairs, as well as feast-worthy dining chairs.

Best Sofa: West Elm Marin Sofa

Hand-finished upholstery on a hand-built, solid-wood frame adds up to a serious sofa with relaxed style. Plus, it’s Contract Grade to meet the demands of commercial or residential use (including kiddos, pups, or cats if that’s your thing, guests who spill wine, etc). Sofas simply don’t get more durable than that.  

$1,599 – $2,099 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Article Abisko Sofa – for modern lines with all the cushiness (the best combo).

Finalist: Leonelle Sofa / Finalist: Bacio Boucle Sofa / Finalist: Jake Leather Sofa

Best Sectional Sofa: Joybird Lewis Mid-Century Modern Sectional

The beauty of this sectional rests in its expansiveness, its retro vibe and its customizable nature. Choose from 50-plus fabric options to be stretched on a solid hardwood frame. Then put on your stretchy pants and literally stretch out in comfort and style as you Netflix binge your heart out.

$2,640 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Article Sven Sectional Sofa – for that rich and beautiful lived-in leather vibe (pairs deliciously with a single malt scotch).

Finalist: Shelter Sectional / Finalist: Ever Slipcovered Sectional / Finalist: Jake Leather Chaise Sectional

Best Sleeper Sofa: West Elm Snow Sleeper Sofa

While we generally advise against snoozing our design recs, this beauty begs for some serious sleeping time. Boasting a modern update to a classic silhouette, the large back pillows and enveloping frame are more than perfect for cat naps, movie nights and, when unfolded, overnight guests. (Be warned: you may be even tempted to pick a fight with your partner to spend the night here.)

$2,799 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Crate & Barrel Notch Sleeper Sofa – for a relaxed yet refined look and feel, with bonus points for supreme comfort).

Finalist: Haven Queen Sleeper / Finalist: Sarah Sleeper / Finalist: Coniston Linen Sleeper

Best Accent Chair: Article Matrix Cascadia Chair

Check out those appealing curves and tapered legs. If this blue velvet stunner were a TV character, it would be a ‘70s-era Charlie’s Angel (we’re all for the original). There’s no mystery why our judges fell for it: it packs major style in a compact design. 

$649 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Lulu and Georgia Larabee Accent Chair – for a distinctive mid-century inspired silhouette and dramatic burnt autumn hue.

Finalist: Noelie Rattan Chair / Finalist: Dexter Chair / Finalist: Ashton Caned Teak Chair

Best Dining Chair: Crate & Barrel Libby Cane Dining Chair

Intricately woven natural cane meets brushed ebony finish. Featuring clean lines, crisp angles, neutral linen, organic details, with a bit of a Parisian twist, what’s not to love? Our designers have spoken, and they think this dining chair captures an on-trend moment in a timeless manner you’ll love forever.

$349 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Article Feast Dining Chair – for dining in both comfort and style (a forever win-win).

Finalist: Knoll Chair / Finalist: Baltimore Chair / Finalist: Foley Chair

Best Counter Stools: CB2 Cesta Rattan Bar Stools

Both architectural and natural – a winning combo. We love the story behind this shape, “inspired by the curved basket used to catch and throw the ball in the sport of jai alai.” The woven rattan seat provides the perfect perch for morning coffee, afternoon sangria or midnight ice cream break (just us?). 

$299 – $319 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: West Elm Slope Counter Stool – for a modern moment that’s always in style.

Finalist: Oak Barstool / Finalist: Riviera Stools / Finalist: Eloise Counter Stool

BEST IN TABLES

Best Coffee Table: Anthropologie Targua Moroccan Coffee Table

Skip the trip to Morocco and head straight to this head-turning number for that well-traveled home aesthetic. Handcrafted using a centuries-old technique, our designers love how the bone inlay and geometric pattern adds a sense of exotic luxury to your living room. PS: goes nicely with tapas and wine, if you’re into that.

$1,198 – $1,498 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Lulu and Georgia Nera Coffee Table – for that minimalist Wabi Sabi vibe that all the cool kids are talking about.

Finalist: Turid Coffee Table / Finalist: Drum Storage Coffee Table / Finalist: Folsom Coffee Table

Best Accent Table: Lulu and Georgia Raven Side Tables

This concrete pair with an organic plaster finish adds an artful element to your seating scene. While the slender structure and small footprint means they’re designed to play a supporting role to statement pieces, you can still bet they’ll receive their fair share of compliments and oh-so flattering inquiries of… “where can I find those??”

$299 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Haldin Bexley Side Table – for it’s eye-catching craftsmanship and hint of golden patina.

Finalist: Corrie Rattan Table / Finalist: Richmond Side Table / Finalist: Horseshoe Side Table

Best Dining Table: CB2 Shadow Blackened Wood Dining Table

Gather around and admire the slate sheen of this table, alongside it’s unique geometric legs. It’s just too perfect. The type of piece that can truly make your dining room or breakfast nook with it’s statement appeal, but also, relaxed enough that pizza takeout would always be welcome.

$799 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Pottery Barn Toscana Extending Dining Table – for that rustic, Italian-inspired design that elevates weeknight dining to a farm-to-table experience.

Finalist: Kirun Oak Extendable Table / Finalist: Mid-Century Expandable Table / Finalist: Silhouette Pedestal Table

Best Desk: West Elm Quinn Desk

Don’t let its glamorous looks fool you. This durable, sustainably sourced desk gets it done with handy storage space, textured drawers, and lofty metal legs. The white and brass combo has us making heart eyes every time.

$699 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: CB2 Marisa Desk – for a statement-making office moment, complete with burl wood drama.

Finalist: Bost Writing Desk / Finalist: Braxton Desk / Finalist: Industrial Modular Desk

BEST IN BEDROOM

Best Bed: Cove Goods Bannock Wingback Bed

Handcrafted in the USA, this contemporary-styled wingback headboard is upholstered with textured linen in a neutral, goes-with-anything hue. Our designers frequently source this beauty across a variety of styles, whether paired with a casual stripe for that Cali Cool vibe, or a comfy white duvet for a chic, minimalist effect.

$1,070 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: West Elm Ida Bed – for a seriously cool mix of caning and lacquered black finish that we can’t get enough of.

Finalist: Frame Canopy Bed / Finalist: Dorinda Platform Bed / Finalist: Tessu Bed

Best Dresser: Alder House Mosaic Double Dresser

Complete your bedroom with this transitional double dresser featuring plenty of storage, a stylish herringbone pattern, brushed-gold base and slender matching handles. Acacia wood graining and clean lines make it a clear winner.

$1,779 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Anthropologie Quincy Dresser – for a mid-century silhouette with sculptural details that has us swooning.

Finalist: Gallery Low Dresser / Finalist: Delaney Wide Dresser / Finalist: Oberlin Low Dresser

Best Nightstand: McGee & Co Harry Nightstand

Meet the nightstand of your dreams. Simple yet timeless, the black metal frame, brass knobs, and sleek silhouette elevate any bed scene. Bonus: a clever glass display to show off favorite books, accessories, or other styling goodness. This number will make waking up on the right side of the bed so much easier, and more lovely. Promise. 

$650 | Shop Now

best nightstand

Runner-Up: CB2 Ivory Shagreen Embossed Nightstand – for a chic and modern beauty with just the perfect touch of luxe.

Anthropologie and West Elm Nightstands

Finalist: Florian Nightstand / Finalist: Mid-Century Nightstand / Finalist: Nera Nightstand

Best Daybed: Roam Common Fillmore Cane Daybed

Best Daybed

Add easy, breezy style to your space with this daybed fit for a daydreamer. Ivory linen cushions offer luxurious support against the French cane sides and back. Please add your own mint julep  (or cocktail of choice) for utter relaxation.

$1,500 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: West Elm Midcentury Daybed – for a minimalist silhouette that can be dressed up or down.

Finalist: Hughes Daybed / Finalist: Larry Daybed / Finalist: Hampton Daybed

BEST IN NURSERY

Best Crib: Crate & Kids Canyon Spindle Crib

As graceful as a lullaby, as protective as a parent’s arms. This modern interpretation of the classic spindle crib is crafted of solid poplar and oak, and will add an effortless organic vibe to any nursery. It’s even been blessed by our Havenly designer mamas as one of their ‘go-to’ sources.

$999 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: West Elm Modern Stand Crib – for Danish-inspired simplicity and modernity.

Finalist: Gelato Convertible Crib / Finalist: Austen Convertible Crib / Finalist: Fillmore Convertible Crib

Best Nursery Chair: Pottery Barn Kids Merced Glider

Best Rocker

Simple lines. Sides that gently slope into curved arms. Performance basketweave fabric that’s oh-so soft, yet durable to take on those new baby spills. The winning formula for a modern rocking chair with timeless design elements. 

$899 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: West Elm Graham Glider – for a contemporary edition of a classic rocker.

Phoenix Rocker / Finalist: Swivel Glider / Finalist: Minna Rocker

Best Ottoman: CB2 Leather Pouf

Hand-stitching and raw edging are key to the design of this stunning hide ottoman that can pinch hit as occasional seating. The authentic buffalo leather will wear and soften over time. High style for the long haul – consider that your invitation to an investment piece.

$219 | Shop Now

Runner-Up: Roam Common Samara Pouf – for a hint of global discovery in home.

Halden Ottoman / Finalist: Malibu Woven Ottoman / Finalist: Bozzi Ottoman

You deserve a home that wins all the awards. Begin your before-and-after with our design quiz.

Words by Staci Sturrock