A mod twist on the traditional box lounger, the clever Bono includes a narrow slot between the back and seat, so pocket change is never lost. Featuring high-density foam cushions, it's offered in standard textured and solid felt wools in 100 hues. Legs come in polished or pearlized chrome. 115 Postbus, NL-5480 AC Schijndel, The Netherlands; 31-73-547-70-15; artifort.com.

Ideal for public and health care venues, Plus Size seats can be made up to 42 1/2 inches wide and support 1,200 pounds. Offered in a wide variety of fabrics (COM, too) and up to 20 finishes, this fits a big need in the marketplace. 4301 White Bear Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55110; 800-626-1234; westinnielsen.com. circle 368

Equal parts court jester and genius, Karim Rashid proposes the Plod chair (and sofa) in cold-processed polyurethane foam resting on a bent chromed-steel base. It's typically contemporary, predictably clever, and gorgeous in the extreme. 200 Lexington Avenue, Suite 611, New York, NY 10016; 212-686-6390; fredericwilliams.com. circle 343

Good looking and appropriately named Play, this piece allows for plenty of iterations: Pull the headboards up next to each other for side-by-side reading, or slide the units flush for tandem snoozing. The chromed-metal base and the fabric-and-leather upholstery (which is removable and offered in varying colorways) give it the clean lines that ensure a good fit with just about any interior. 150 East 58th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10156; 888-765-4367; poliformusa.com. circle 355

Gay, playful color and ultra-streamlined shapes are hallmarks of contemporary Italian design; witness Somaschini's Pinax, with its sleek iron frame and fabric or leather cover (that can be removed for cleaning). Stress-resistant polyurethane foam filling means it keeps its shape as long as you do. 101 Henry Adams Street, Suite 430, San Francisco, CA 94103; 415-252-7175; design-eu.com. circle 341

In true art deco fashion, the Sera series fuses traditional seating shapes with angular forms. The collection includes open- or closed-arm single and double seaters. The cherry or maple hardwoods may be stained in any of the manufacturer's standard six wood finishes. 421 Manitou Drive, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2C 1L5; 888-578-5784; krug.ca.

The folding deck chair gets a makeover, Italian style. Enrico Bona returns to furniture design after a several-year absence with the Paso Doble—a slender but sturdy execution in profiled beech plywood that closes almost to a straight line and opens to a delightfully slim, comfortable seat. Via Comunale del Rovere 13/15, 33048 Udine, Italy; 39-0432-747300; montina.it. circle 347

Make work more pleasurable with the Realm executive or conference chair. Its comfort-providing features include tension-controlled cantilevered arms, tilt locking for the seat and back, and a contoured one-piece shell. Available in six grades of standard fabrics as well as seven leather colors; the chair's base can be either black nylon or chrome. 6900 Aragon Circle, Buena Park, CA 90620; 800-985-8090; encoreseating.com.

Simple yet sophisticated, the Weekend chair is offered in four woods—sycamore, ash, oak, and wengé—and 10 finishes. It's a slender 18 inches wide and 36 inches high. 45 Greene Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-226-8200; catherinememmi.com.

The 7849 Greek dining chair from the Thomas Pheasant collection employs an iconic key motif on a curved upholstered frame of solid mahogany. Boasting nail-head details and shapely tapered legs, the piece is offered in colors Sable and Ivory. 1661 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49505; 800-592-2537; bakerfurniture.com.

Designer Barbara Zieve referenced the less-is-best aesthetic of Japanese high-function design for the OBI collection. Each of the three chairs—Obi, Opal, and Staccato—boasts a lumbar "waistband" inspired by kimono sashes, and the dark-and-light hardwood frames establish durability as they evoke Japanese architecture. 1811 Second Avenue NW, Stewartville, MN 55976; 507-533-4235; halconcorp.com. circle 334

Take a load off with Matali Crasset's Decompression Space chair. Made of rotation-molded polyethylene and supported by this company's signature platform base, this piece features two sets of parallel depressions that comfortably nest arms and hands. 17 Via Sempione, 21011 Casorate Sempione, Italy; 39-0331-767131; felicerossi.it.

Perfect for any setting, the armless Amanda side chair is the little black dress for interiors. Slipping easily from guest to dining chair, this sleek, leather-covered number can be had in any of the manufacturer's 27 colors, including blue, red, green, and orange. 7 Via Terrenato, 36010 Carré, Italy; 39-0445-314070; flyline.it.

When David Dahl mixed deco with mission, he came up with the 150 Cypress seating series. Whether for a chair, sofa, settee, or bench, the solid-maple frame comes in 10 finishes, including medium cherry and dark walnut. Upholstery options include leather and fabric. P.O. Box 561483, Dallas, TX 75356; 214-631-4242; campbellcontract.com.

Tolleson Design's Wisp settee delivers big comfort on a small scale—58 by 32 by 31 inches—plus 400 standard fabric options. Its sinuous lines, high arms, and wood feet are identical in style to those of the Wisp Lounge three-seat sofa. The series also includes a chair. P.O. Box 30, Paoli, IN 47454; 812-865-1525; paoli.com.

The purveyor of quintessentially Victorian tufted seating goes mid-century with Elizabeth. Styles aside, this custom sofa embodies the same impeccable level of craftsmanship. Leather and fabric upholstery available. 75 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012; 212-226-4747; georgesmith.com.

Ralph Lauren meets Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in the RL-CF1 chair—its squared-off C-shape base and arms formed from the same lightweight yet strong carbon fiber used in Formula 1 race cars. Seat and back can be covered in leather, suede, or fabric. 979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022; 212-583-2200; rlhome.polo.com.

Lola Castelló hails Alvar Aalto's masterful plywood stools with her amusing Aalt. Matte nickel-finished steel updates the slender, curving legs, while the seat's squishy, laminated rubber foam fondly recalls 1970's rainbow flip-flops. 48 Islas Baleares, 46988 Fuente del Jarro (Valencia), Spain; 34-96-134-3272; puntmobles.es.

Good-looking and supportive? Ordinarily, a rare combination. But 5D Studio's Motto provides both—and more. Sturdy urethane arms, emphasized lumbar support, a compound-curve back and seat shell, and an angular profile are among this executive chair's attributes. Available in mid or high back. 5692 Fresca Drive, La Palma, CA 90623; 714-562-8200; arcadiacontract.com.

When David Dahl mixed deco with mission, he came up with the 150 Cypress seating series. Whether for a chair, sofa, settee, or bench, the solid-maple frame comes in 10 finishes, including medium cherry and dark walnut. Upholstery options include leather and fabric. P.O. Box 561483, Dallas, TX 75356; 214-631-4242; campbellcontract.com.

For patients who spend extended periods of time seated, Maureen utilizes breathable elastomeric fabric for its seat and back, allowing for increased air circulation and comfort. The wood frame can be stained to order, and is protected with the manufacturer's antibacterial wood finish. For extra comfort, a matching ottoman is available. 1107 West Market Center Drive, High Point, NC 27261; 800-334-9309; patrician.com. circle 359

A romantic take on the garden-variety contemporary sectional, the Maharaja sofa dresses things up a bit with its polished, slightly curvy solid-beech frame and soft, inviting, poly-down-blend cushions. The matte black painted metal legs keep things grounded in the 21st century. Choose removable fabric or leather upholstery. 300 FW Burr Boulevard, Teaneck, NJ 07666; 888-836-9100; giorgettiusa.com. circle 356

This fledgling Brooklyn designer took her inspiration for this lounge and ottoman from ribbon—fluid and continuous but also functional. Both pieces are simply constructed of bent plywood, coated with a maple finish, have steel legs, and sit low—about 15 inches—to the ground. 200 Willoughby Avenue, Box 57614, Brooklyn, NY 11205; 802-233-7757; k_morrissette@hotmail.com. circle 325

Big on sustainable and natural materials, the James chair is constructed of polyurethane-free latex foam and brushed wool. The ash or caramel finish on the legs is water based. 915 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10010; 212-529-1400; qcollection.com. circle 338

Conceived as an affordable seating option for educational environments, Hollywood is handsome enough to work in contract and hospitality settings. It's available in natural beech, wenge, and cherry finishes, and boasts lightweight tubular steel legs for easy mobility. 41 Keyland Court, Bohemia, NY 11716; 631-589-7337; http://www.thompsoncontract.com/. circle 354