Step Out Stylishly With Midcentury Tapered Furniture Legs
My home is a classic 1920s Craftsman, but my favorite furniture style hails from the mid-20th century. Midcentury modern furniture balances aesthetics and utility in a simple way that works perfectly in my house, and the midcentury wooden tapered leg is largely to thank for my affinity. Stripped of unnecessary accents, its thoughtful design brims with form and function.
Round tapered legs were made famous in the United States by furniture designer Paul McCobb, whose vast furniture collection with tapered legs included some of the bestselling pieces of the 1950s. These simple legs helped set the stage for midcentury American furniture, both then and now.
Take a look at the elegant lines of this classic furniture leg. Could it fit in your home?
The tapered leg is repeated on both the armchair and the credenza in this space, balancing the pieces beautifully.
Designer Risa Boyer scored her client's vintage dining set while hunting for antiques in Northern California. If you're looking for originals, try eBay — it's a great source for midcentury furniture with tapered legs.
A vintage Lane Acclaim series coffee table takes center stage in this room filled with new Room & Board pieces, beautifully illustrating how these legs translate in modern surroundings.
Wooden tapered legs come in a wide variety of heights (about 4 to 29 inches) that fit everything from a low nightstand to a dining table.
New furniture designs also use the midcentury wooden tapered leg style. For example, check out the legs on Design Within Reach's Bantam Sofa. This piece was designed in 2004 and influenced by the furnishings of leading American midcentury furniture designer Edward J. Wormley.
While they're a classic addition to any piece, wooden tapered legs don't need to be taken too seriously. They make a fun addition to the vintage school desk in this child's space.
McCobb Midcentury Modern Furniture Feet » Many pieces of new and vintage furniture come with tapered legs today, but you can also easily customize a piece of furniture yourself. Classic Designs by Matthew Burak specializes in brand-new wooden tapered legs, available in eight wood species and eight heights.
