Even when not occupied by a primate or a canine, Rooshad Shroff’s collection of chairs titled ‘Balance’, which he showcased at the India Art Fair 2026 and has been developing since 2021, has a surreal streak to it. Curvy, cushy, and soft, it somehow precariously rests on a metal ball like a stack of (cashmere-wrapped) rocks. That it looks so nice and feels so great to sit on is the magic of good design.
It may be our collective fatigue stemming from seeing the Chandigarh chair in every home, but Indian designers are coming up with iterations of the humble seat that are pushing the boundaries of form and function. Among other new weird-and-wondrous chairs on our radar are Avvo Architects’ XOXO chair by Mumbai-based architect Raj Kothari and a Biscoff-shaped lounger by Anjali Modi’s Josmo Studio that even those without a sweet tooth cannot resist. The no-nonsense crowd will make a beeline for Lap & Dado’s Avesta oak bouclé single-seater sofa that invites long hours of lounging, while those looking to infuse some wacky design to an otherwise not-so-whacky apartment will gravitate towards Objectry’s Ball Tripod dining chair, which, despite how it appears, can become your spot of choice to watch an episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Here’s our handpicked selection of 14 artistic, stylish, and delightfully edgy chairs by homegrown designers that deserve a place in your home.
