When you hear the term "ghost chair", you could be forgiven for thinking this is an item to look into for Halloween. But, in fact, ghost chairs are a modern furniture classic that took the interior design world by storm back in 2002, and their popularity shows no sign of waning any time soon.
Since the original Kartell Louis Ghost Chair first appeared, it has spawned a huge number of different takes on the design with varying styles, colours, and at different price points. So if you're looking for the perfect ghost chair to fit your style, Homesdirect365 has the ultimate guide to the best ghost chairs available right now.
What is a ghost chair?
The original Kartell Louis Ghost Chair was designed by Phillippe Starck in 2002. It pays homage to a classic of the design world - the Louis XVI chair. Louis XVI was king of France and Navre from 1774 to 1791 and was married to Marie Antoinette. It was her that commissioned the design of a new style of furniture.
As was fashionable at the time, this furniture was inspired by Ancient Greece and Rome and differed from the style of furniture in Louis XV's time which was much more ornate and intricate. In particular, the Louis XVI chair has stood the test of time as a true classic in furniture.
It is characterised by straight lines inspired by Greco-Roman art, tapered straight legs that are reminiscent of columns, armrests, and a medallion back. And it is these elements that Phillippe Starck showcased with his Kartell Louis Ghost Chair.
The ghost chair is in the style of a Louis XVI chair but is made entirely of transparent polycarbonate plastic. In fact, it is one of few plastic chairs like this that is made by injecting the plastic into a single mould.
Why are ghost chairs so popular?
When it was released the Kartell Louis Ghost Chair captured the imagination of many people, interior designers and home-owners alike. And there are quite a few reasons for this.
The transparency
The mix of old and new or "baroque revisited" truly captures the imagination due to the transparent nature of the chair. This is such an interesting design and mixed with the classic Louis XVI styling makes the chair unique.
But what it also means is that ghost chairs are versatile. They can sit in a wide range of different decor and go perfectly well. And they also work in a variety of different rooms. They are just as perfect in a dining room as they are in a living room or a bedroom.
This versatility means that a ghost chair is something that will stand the test of time. Even as your design aesthetic may change, your ghost chair will be one piece that can always help to elevate it.
It also makes them ideal for smaller spaces. The transparency means that they take up very little visual space so they can help a smaller area feel larger and mean that you can have furniture in the space without making it more cluttered.
Its durability
The Kartell Louis Ghost Chair was specifically designed to be used as an outdoor as well as an indoor chair. Because it is made of plastic from a single mould, there are no joints that could warp or crack. So these chairs are truly weather resistant. It might feel odd to place such an expensive chair in an outdoor environment, but it is what they were designed to be able to do.
They are also wipe-clean and they are stackable up to six high. So while these chairs are at a higher price point, their versatility and durability can make them a worthwhile investment. And it also means that you can put them to use in different areas at different times, depending on your needs.
15 ghost chairs that are available right now
Since the original ghost chair, there have been a wide variety of designs that take a nod to the style but can also take it in different directions. Let's take a look at some of the best ghost chairs out there.
Kartell Louis Ghost Chair
This is the original ghost chair in all its glory. In the Louis XVI style, it is weather resistant, stackable, and endlessly versatile. This chair will make a bold statement but in a subtle and clever way. The transparency makes it perfect for smaller rooms while the clean lines and classic design with a modern twist mean that it will work with a wide variety of different design themes.
Made by injecting polycarbonate into a single mould, it is durable enough for both indoor and outdoor use and it is stackable. This is a versatile piece of furniture that can have multiple uses which can change over time. It is definitely a worthwhile investment for any modern interior design aficionado.
Kartell LouLou Ghost Chair
If you love the design of the original ghost chair and have small children, you kind of have to pick up one of these. Kartell has brought out a baby version of the original Louis ghost chair and it is adorable! It uses the same clean lines as the parent chair and it comes in a range of fun colours.
Kartell Victoria Ghost Chair
The success of the original Louis XVI ghost chair inspired this spin-off - the Victoria ghost chair. It is a Kartell original and designed by Phillippe Starck and is similar in many ways to the Louis version. It is also made of single injection moulded transparent polycarbonate and takes its inspiration from neoclassical design.
It differs in that it follows more of a Baroque style of chair. Baroque was an earlier 17th Century style that was all about grandeur and elegance. Typically, the chairs would have a similar medallion back to the Louis XVI chairs but they didn't have armrests and this can be seen in the Victoria ghost chairs.
This chair is ideal for a dining room because its lack of armrests means that it can easily fit under a table. Although, like its Louis counterpart, it can be used indoors, outdoors, or wherever you fancy. It also comes in a variety of different shades if you don't want the original clear plastic.
Kartell Charles Ghost Chair
Another Kartell take on the ghost chair designed by Phillippe Starck, the Charles ghost chair is a bar stool that takes its inspiration from the shape and form of classic 1980s bar stools. This gives it a touch of fun and whimsy while the transparent plastic design brings it firmly into the modern age.
As with the other Kartell ghost chairs, what's truly brilliant about the Charles ghost chair is its versatility. Again, it is cast from a single mould so works great outside as well as inside, and it also comes in three different heights. So no matter the height of your kitchen table, bar, dining table, patio table, etc, you can find a Charles ghost chair that will slide under it perfectly.
As with the other Kartell ghost chairs, you can go with a classic transparent look or a variety of different colours.
Fevilady Dining Chair
Like the original ghost chairs, this chair is made through one-piece moulding, which makes it extremely durable. And it is in a very different design. Its S-shaped curve is decidedly modern, without the nod to antiquity that you see in the original. So it would suit a very modern interior. It is made of acrylic and comes in a variety of colours.
Flash Furniture Four Pack
These are a bit of a dupe of the original Louis ghost chair but at a much lower price point. They don't have armrests but do have the classic medallion back and are in a clear plastic. They come in a pack of four and are stackable up to seven so work well as occasional chairs as well as daily chairs.
While these might not be exactly the same as the original, they are close enough to hit those same design aesthetics and will work perfectly to give you that extra pop of style. They are made of polycarbonate from single mould injection just like the original so can be used as outdoor chairs as well as indoor chairs.
BE Furniture Clear Umbria Chair
This chair takes the idea of a clear plastic ghost chair and adds a new design spin to it. Rather than taking inspiration from antiquity, this chair is taken in a new style direction. It is a bucket chair and has a unique tree root-style cut-out design. This design makes these chairs eye-catching and interesting and the cut-outs add to the transparent ghost feel.
These chairs can be used indoors, outdoors, as dining room chairs, or living room chairs. They are also ideal for businesses such as restaurants and salons. They have rubber feet to protect your floor and they are stackable.
ThickValley Household Transparent Backrest Dining Chair
If you want to take minimalism a step further, this chair could be a great option. It strips down the chair design to just the seat and a curved leg frame. It has a few flurries added as could be while still being a functional chair. And it looks super modern and sleek.
Unlike the other ghost chairs that we have looked at, this isn't purely made of plastic. The seat part is injection moulded polycarbonate but it is attached to wooden legs that are covered in chrome. So it isn't fully transparent and may be less durable outdoors because of the joints.
With that being said, those downsides could well be worth it because this chair will work in so many different contexts. It can be an office chair, dining chair, or a living room chair. And it will fit with a wide variety of different decor.
Discount Seller STEIN Chair
This is another take on the classic ghost chair design. It uses similar clean lines and modern shapes to create a chair that will add a touch of style to any room.
It has no armrests so will work great as a dining chair and it has tapered legs that help it to feel truly contemporary. It is also backless which makes it even better for smaller spaces because it helps the chair to take up even less visual space.
Its lower price point does mean, however, that it isn't made from a single mould. The legs are affixed to the seat, which can make it less durable and does slightly spoil the ghost chair illusion. But, overall, this chair can help to give you that look.
European Palace Dining Chair
While many of the Kartell ghost chair-inspired designs we have looked at have gone further down the modern path with their style, this chair goes in the opposite direction. The original Louis ghost chair took a minimalist nod to Louis XVI style chairs whereas this one adds back in some of the more ornate elements that you might see on a true antique.
It has intricate "carvings" along the top of the medallion back as well as down each of the legs but it still does retain that modern twist with the clear plastic. Like the original, it is made using a single mould so is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. The single mould also helps to create the ghost chair illusion and that works very well with this chair.
LeisureMod Adler Mid-Century Modern Dining Side Chair in Clear
This chair is a lovely Mid-Century Modern take on the ghost chair. And that's what's so great about ghost chairs - they can take any era of furniture design and elevate it. It is an endlessly versatile design that can be changed over and over again.
It uses simple, clean, gentle curves to create a stylish chair that will work well with a variety of different room designs. Like the original Kartell ghost chair, it is made from single injection moulding so is durable and suitable for outdoor and indoor use. It is also stackable.
Yaocong Transparent Crystal Chair
A classic country dining chair is a design classic and, like the other ghost chairs we've covered, this one takes those design elements and puts a modern twist on it. It has the same structure as you would expect from a country dining chair but is made of a clear plastic. These would work great in any modern kitchen or dining room.
ThickValley Transparent Backrest Ghost Chairs
This is a different take on a ghost chair than the others we have looked at. The legs and frame are wooden and it has a separate clear plastic sheet and clear plastic backrest. The minimalist design of the chair and lots of open space means that it fits just as well in a small space as a true ghost chair but the wooden legs give it a warmer feel.
Because it isn't single injection moulded, this chair won't be as durable outside as a classic ghost chair but its lack of armrests means that it will work well as a dining or office chair.
RR-YRA Color Transparent Folding Chair
While ghost chairs can be ideal for smaller rooms because, visually, they don't take up much space, they do still have the same footprint as a normal chair. This folding version is a great option if you need to free up space when you aren't using the chair.
The seat and backrest are made of polycarbonate and the frame is chrome so it has the same modern look as a classic ghost chair but it is portable and can be put away completely.
Transparent Stool Household Backrest Crystal Chair
Ghost chairs look amazing and they are surprisingly comfortable but, of course, they don't have any cushioning. If you want a nod at the ghost chair look but with some extra comfort, this chair is a great option.
The frame is made from clear plastic and it has glamorous crystal-style detailing on the legs but it does have a white cushion on the seat. While this means that it doesn't have the full ghost illusion, the white is neutral enough that the look still works.
Because of the cushioning, this chair isn't as durable outdoors as many of the others that we have looked at but it works well as a dining, office, or living room chair.
The bottom line
Ghost chairs are a modern design classic for a reason. They have a unique style that is a fascinating mix of classic and modern stand out while also blending in. And their chameleon-like nature means that they are an investment that will work in different rooms, with different decor choices, and at different times. This is a chair that can grow with you and will soon become a key design element of any space in which it is placed.
The following article The best ghost chairs you can buy right now was first seen on www.homesdirect365.co.uk
from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2023/04/the-best-ghost-chairs-you-can-buy/
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