This Trendy Furniture Style Is Fresh, Fun, and Perfect for a Small Living Room

It seems like tapered, leggy mid-century modern silhouettes have been all the rage the past few years. These features make for beautiful shapes, but sometimes you just want to mix things up a bit,. I, for one, have been so excited to see chunkier, more structural bases being brought back into the furniture design conversation.

Often referred to as plinth or platform furniture, these pieces boast solid bases (usually wood, but they can also be other materials like marble or brass) with no discernible “legs,” and are lower to the ground than their leggy counterparts. This type of base can instantly make your furniture feel more attention-grabbing, substantial, and luxe. It’s also a great way to play with a little designer trickery in your space, particularly it’s on the smaller or shorter side. 

“Designing with low-profile furniture, as plinth and platform pieces usually are, is a great way to make your space feel taller,” says designer Alvin Wayne. “It’s a visual trick of the eye — in many cases, the lower your furniture is, the higher your ceilings look.”

Wayne also thinks the low-slung trend can be a great option for rooms with good views; peep the New York City skyline in Wayne’s own Queens apartment on display above his leg-less CB2 sofa in the image up top for such an example. They’re also great for open floor plans, according to Wayne, where taller furnishings could disrupt the flow and sight lines from room to room.

Though platform and plinth pieces aren’t exactly the same, furniture from both categories take up similar visual weight and space in a room. Platform furniture is often a more budget-friendly way to get in on the trend for now, as many plinth pieces are custom or on the pricier side due to the heft of their bases. Looking to add something low-slung to your living room layout or bedroom setup? Check out a few of our favorites below that span the categories of seating, tables, and even beds. 

This eye-catching but simple design from Floyd combines birch or walnut wood with metal accents and a sleek, low shape for an industrial-meets-boho design I love. The option of a headboard for reading and hidden under-bed storage compartments on one or both sides of the bed also ensures you can customize this piece to your liking.

Buy: The Bed Frame, Starting at $745.00 for a Full/Queen Size with no headboard from Floyd

This do-it-all side table from West Elm is a true chameleon. Its graphic, blocky shape and plinth bottom give it a modern and minimalist feel, while the grainy reclaimed wood material lends it a rustic, natural edge. Translation: It will fit seamlessly with your home’s vibe, whether you self-identify as a Marie Kondo diehard or cottagecore enthusiast.

Buy: Plank Side Table, $599.00 from West Elm

Though definitely on the pricier side, this pretty seat from Lulu & Georgia is a great example of just how timeless the plinth furniture trend can be. Hidden at the base of this creamy white chair is a blonde-finished acacia plinth that adds just the right amount of bespoke detailing. Plus, thanks to its unique shape (Is it a couch? Is it a daybed? Is it a chair?), this piece can go just about anywhere, from a media room to a studio apartment.

Buy: Harlowe Media Lounger, $1,998.00 from Lulu & Georgia

This Etsy vendor’s box table can be stained or painted to match your decor style of choice, promising truly infinite customization opportunities. Use it as a handy place to store your favorite reads or to house your record player and a few well-loved vinyls.

Buy: Bee 9 Design Shop Box Table, $197.47 from Etsy

For an eye-catching showpiece that’s sure to turn heads in any room, look no further than the Coyne Credenza from CB2. Made from stunning two-toned walnut wood and stacked atop a plinth base, the versatile piece can act as a buffet in a dining room, credenza in a hallway, or media console in a living room.

Buy: Coyne Credenza, $999.00 from CB2

The solid wood plinth base give this slipcovered gray sofa a few extra style points. Use it anywhere you want to show off what’s beyond your windows in a living room setting. It also comes in a white colorway.

Buy: Malsa Sofa, $1,699.00 from Article