Furniture legs play a crucial role in any furniture design. They not only provide structural support, but can also make a dramatic stylistic statement. From sleek and modern to ornate and traditional, the legs you choose for a piece of furniture will have a major impact on its overall look and feel.
If you’re looking to upgrade some tired furniture or finish off a new DIY project, choosing eye-catching legs is a great way to transform the entire appearance. Here are 7 furniture leg styles that are definitely worth showing off:
1. Hairpin Legs
With their slender and gently curved shape, hairpin legs have a light and airy aesthetic that works well in modern and contemporary rooms. The hairpin shape gives them a visual slimness that makes furniture appear less heavy and bulky.
This versatile leg style suits many different furniture pieces, from beds and benches to side tables and desks. Hairpin legs often have a bright metallic finish, but can also have a painted or raw wood look. They range in thickness from dainty slim pins to chunkier industrial designs.
Some key advantages of hairpin legs include:
- Graceful and minimalist visual appeal
- Streamlined and leggy look slims down furniture
- Available in a range of metallic finishes like brass, copper and blackened steel
- Suits modern, industrial, minimalist and eclectic decors
- Works on a variety of furniture pieces and DIY projects
To add a sculptural and modern element to a furniture piece, hairpin legs are one of the best options around.
2. Cabriole Legs
Unlike straight tapered legs, cabriole legs have an elegant, gently curved S-shape. This shape mimics animal hind legs, like those seen on claw-foot bathtubs. The iconic cabriole form has been used on furniture since the 17th century.
Cabriole legs tend to have ornate turned decorations along the leg, as well as curved feet. They bring a graceful, almost playful element to furniture like chairs, tables and benches. The delicate curves soften an otherwise rigid piece.
Some key benefits of cabriole legs include:
- Distinctive and ornamental S-shaped curve
- Elegant turned decorations and carvings
- Softer visual profile than straight tapered legs
- A classic and traditional furniture leg style
- Well-suited to ornate and antique-inspired decors
For a touch of timeless elegance, the striking silhouette of cabriole legs is hard to beat.
3. Tapered Wood Legs
A simple tapered wooden leg is a versatile choice that suits many furniture styles. The gently angled taper softens the visual profile for a lighter look. Tapered legs made from quality hardwoods can also showcase beautiful wood grain patterns.
Unlike ornate cabriole legs, tapered legs have a clean and unfussy style. Their simplicity means they blend well with furniture from industrial to farmhouse. The tapered shape adds subtle interest while still remaining minimalist.
Some benefits of using tapered wood legs include:
- Streamlined and unfussy straight taper
- Showcases natural wood grain and color
- Suits various furniture styles from modern to traditional
- Easily coordinates with other woods used in the furniture
- A simple leg profile that doesn’t compete with ornate furniture
For furniture that benefits from clean lines and showcasing wood’s natural beauty, tapered legs are a perfect match.
4. Square Legs
Square legs have a structurally strong look and vintage charm. The boxlike shaping gives furniture a solid, grounded appearance and adds architectural interest. Using chunky square legs is also a way to elevate ordinary materials like lumber.
From farmhouse dining tables to industrial coffee tables, square legs work well with many rustic and urban styles. They make a striking contrast on round tabletops. For a sleeker profile, square legs can have beveled edges or taper slightly inward.
Benefits of square legs include:
- Bold, architectural shaping lends solidity
- Has a vintage and industrial vibe
- Great for making a design statement
- Offers contrast to round surfaces
- Can be chunky or more streamlined
- Suits urban, rustic and farmhouse decor
If you want to lend furniture an urban edge, square legs are sure to get the job done in style.
5. Angled Legs
Legs don’t necessarily need to be vertical. Angled legs add visual dynamism along with an architectural appeal. Angling just one or two legs can create an asymmetrical silhouette. Using angled legs on both ends creates interesting geometry and spacing.
Angled legs work especially well on long pieces like benches, beds and display shelves. The slanted profile makes the furniture appear active and animated. For seating, angling the rear legs opens up the space beneath chairs and stools.
Some benefits of angled legs include:
- Dynamic profile creates visual movement
- Opens up space beneath furniture
- Adds modern or rustic edge to designs
- Can be asymmetrical or on both ends
- Durable and structurally sound support
- Visually elevates ordinary materials
To inject furniture with a contemporary or rustic outlook, experimenting with angled legs is an option worth exploring.
6. Turned Wood Legs
Another ornamental leg style is turned wood legs. Turned indicates that the leg is created using a wood lathe to shape and decorate the leg. This ornamental shaping can range from simple rounding to elaborate decorative elements.
Turned legs often have an urn or goblet profile, with a bulbous mid-section and narrowed ankle. Other turned leg motifs include twisted rope, columnar and barley-twist patterns. They can be left natural or painted for contrast.
Benefits of turned wood legs include:
- Pronounced ornamental shaping and details
- Created by wood turning on a lathe
- Visual interest and weight-bearing strength
- Classical motifs like urn, goblet, twisted and roped
- Can integrate color through natural stains or paint
- A traditional detail for period furniture reproduction
For furniture with old-world charm or French Country flair, elegant turned legs are a perfect match.
7. Metallic Legs
For an ultra-modern look, choose sleek and shiny metallic legs. Compared with wood legs, metal legs have a streamlined, minimalist appeal. They appear lightweight and don’t visually compete with the furniture piece.
Using gleaming chrome, brass, steel or nickel legs lends furniture contemporary flair. Metal legs can be long and thin or short and squat. Going with a gold finish offers glamor and luxury appeal. Or opt for blackened steel legs for an industrial vibe.
Some benefits of metallic legs include:
- Sleek, streamlined and ultramodern aesthetic
- Conveys lighter weight than wood legs
- Metal finishes like brass, chrome and steel
- Floor-gripping capabilities for stability
- Minimalist profile suits contemporary decor
- High-end look in polished gold or nickel
Metal legs are perfect for upgrading furniture with contemporary design appeal. Their gleaming finish definitely makes them legs worth showing off.
Frequently Asked Questions about Furniture Legs Worth Showing Off
What are the most popular furniture leg styles right now?
Some current popular leg styles include:
- Hairpin legs in slim metal pin shapes or chunky painted wood
- Thick square legs with beveled edges for a streamlined shape
- Tapered wood legs to allow wood’s natural grain to shine
- Blackened steel legs with an industrial vibe
- Elegant cabriole legs for a touch of tradition
Legs using high-contrast pairings, like wooden legs on metal furniture or vice versa, are also trending.
What types of furniture legs work best for the Mid-Century Modern style?
Mid-century modern furniture benefits from slim, streamlined legs, like:
- Hairpin legs in metallic finishes like brass or blackened steel
- Architecturally tapered black wood legs
- Angled legs for visual dynamism
- Round tapered dowel legs
- Eiffel or X-shaped metal legs Avoid ornate cabriole legs or chunky square legs to keep the sleek and airy mid-century vibe.
Should furniture legs match the rest of the materials used?
Not always. Contrasting legs can lend visual interest through mixed materials. For example, wooden furniture with metallic legs, or a metal frame with natural wood legs. Coordinating the leg finish to other accents is one way to tie everything together.
Matching the leg style and material to the furniture can give an integrated, seamless look. But don’t be afraid to mix materials to make the legs stand out.
What leg styles work best with upholstered furniture?
Upholstered furniture benefits from leg shapes that keep the piece visually lightweight. Avoid chunky or ornate legs that visually weigh down cushy upholstery.
Great leg options include:
- Slim tapered or slightly angled wood legs
- Metal pin legs like hairpin, ogee or Eiffel legs
- Round dowel legs
- Square or rectangular legs with beveling
Low-profile legs give upholstered furniture a light and contemporary look. Using the same leg shape at both ends ties everything together nicely.
What are the best leg options for large or heavy furniture?
Sturdy chunky legs provide great support for heavy furniture like dining tables, dressers, and sectionals. Some good sturdy leg choices include:
- Thick square solid wood legs
- Bulbous cabriole legs
- Wide spindle legs with bulbous turning
- Substantial hairpin legs rather than slim pins
Tapered legs work better for visually lightening heavy furniture, as do legs that splay outward. Make sure the legs are proportional to the furniture size and provide sufficient structural support.
Conclusion
Choosing showstopping furniture legs gives existing pieces new life or makes DIY designs really stand out. Whether you prefer modern metallic hairpin legs or traditional cabriole legs, there are many options to suit your personal style. Look for legs that complement the overall furniture design.
Keep proportions, furniture function and visual weight in mind when selecting legs. Angle and taper legs to open up extra space beneath furniture. Most importantly, choose legs you love to show off that give character to ordinary furnishings. Don’t be afraid to mix up metal, woods and unconventional shapes for legs that steal the limelight.
