Charles Eames

Sofa Compact, by Charles and Ray Eames, 1954 The Eameses' answer to the small modern home: a slim upholstered sofa on a thin metal frame, so practical that it first shipped as a flat pack, with a back that folded down. Today's version stays upright, and Herman Miller is its only maker. It is the most apartment-friendly sofa on this list, light enough to look good in a compact living room and simple to place. The trade-off is depth: the seat is firm and fairly shallow, comfortable for conversation and reading, less so for lying full length. A sensible pick for anyone who wants a real design classic in a small space.