5 Mid-Century Designers Every Modern Furniture Lover Should Know

Count down the top mid-century furniture designers of all time, and find out if you can guess the most influential of them all.

5. George Nelson

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Nelson had no real experience or professional training in making furniture, but he still snagged the top position at Herman Miller in 1949. Not only did George Nelson manage to create some amazing pieces, he also recruited the likes of Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi, paving the way for some of the most iconic furnishings of all time.

4. Kofod Larsen

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Unless you spend your weekend combing flea markets, you might not recognize this name, but Kofod Larsen was a hugely influential designer of mid-century pieces. Hailing from Denmark, Larsen is behind pieces like the U-56 and the Penguin Chair.

3. Harry Bertoia

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One of the legends who worked under George Nelson, Harry Bertoia was an Italian born designer who called Detroit home for most of his life. His name is on his most famous collection, the Bertoia Collection for Knoll. His designs, like the incredible Bird Chair, are instantly recognizable.

2. Charles and Ray Eames

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This dynamic duo is the poster child for the artsy power couple. Together, they created art, furnishings and even architecture. Today, their pieces are among the most popular of all MCM items. You'll probably be familiar with their colorful Eames shell chairs, but it is the Eames lounger (with ottoman!) that might be the most iconic of all.

1. Eero Saarinen

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Choosing the number one mid-century designer is no easy feat, but Saarinen is clearly a strong contender. Not only did he bring up the stunning tulip table and chairs, not world-recognized staples of the home, he's also the genius behind the impressive Gateway Arch of St. Louis, Missouri.