There comes a time in every newly fledged adult’s life when one’s attention turns from external to internal. No, we aren’t talking about personal growth here. Namely, that moment when your gaze in the mirror shifts from your Khaite jeans and Aeyde ankle boots (or perhaps it’s Levi’s 501s and Saint Laurent Chelsea boots — the feeling is universal) to the mattress on the floor behind you and you think “uh, should I own some actual furniture?” And it’s a valid question, one to which the answer is always the same: yes.
Whether you’re kitting out your first apartment or furnishing your forever home, curating and cultivating one’s abode is a rite of passage. To create a singular space that reflects your idiosyncratic personality (and to avoid stepping into a space indistinguishable from those occupied by literally every other millennial), bypass the big-box stores and generic flatpack hawkers in favour of purveyors of sustainable, ethical furniture that prioritises quality craftsmanship and style in equal measure. The best Australian furniture brands range from classic to quirky, with pieces designed to suit every aesthetic.
While they require a higher initial outlay than your run-of-the-mill brands, pieces from the best Australian furniture brands transcend mere functionality — they’re undeniable statement pieces that convey your style in much the same way your wardrobe does, and represent future heirlooms.
Related: Jardan Wants To Make Office Furniture Fun Again
There are a plethora of furniture brands on the market which allows for ample variety to choose from. But while variety is the spice of life, the sheer volume of options can make it difficult to find furniture that suits your tastes — not to mention differentiate between pieces that will stand the test of time and those that look good in pictures but don’t pass muster in person. With that in mind, we’ve put together our handpicked list of the best Australian furniture brands to fit every aesthetic (and every budget!).
1. Jardan
Family-owned business Jardan has been a fixture in the Australian furniture industry since 1987. Embodying a relaxed Australian aesthetic defined by minimalist forms with curvilinear lines teamed with playful colour palettes and patterns, Jardan prioritises local manufacturing and a sustainable production model, with pieces available on a made-to-order basis. While originally specialising in sofas, bed frames, chairs, and tables, the Jardan range has expanded to encompass a holistic lifestyle offering, with the brand lending its singular design philosophy to homeware and servingware, bedding, lighting, and even office furniture.
Established in: 1987
Founders: Nick, Michael, and Barry Garnham
Best for: colourful furniture, organic shapes, a laid back Australian interpretation of Memphis design
2. Koala
Other than sharing a name with Australia’s favourite native animal, Koala’s claim to fame is managing to cram surprisingly comfortable mattresses into seemingly impossibly small boxes. One of the most well-known Australian furniture brands, Koala has since developed a robust furniture collection, with functional pieces for the entire home. Koala furniture takes on a sleek, minimalist design language, prioritising clean lines and practical features (think sofa beds and streamlined consoles) in neutral tones and natural materials.
Established in: 2015
Founders: Mitch Taylor and Dany Milham
Best for: minimalist compact apartment furniture, modular designs
3. Coco Republic
Showcasing an elegant yet relaxed antipodean aesthetic, Coco Republic is the byword for refined yet lived-in spaces. Spanning indoor and outdoor furniture, Coco Republic designs are equally at home in sprawling coastal homes or rustic country piles as they are contemporary city apartments. Whether it’s a sculptural marble coffee table, upholstered storage bench, or a plus, curvilinear sofa, there’s an emphasis on luxurious fabrics (think velvet, leather, and boucle) and materials and thoughtful design.
Established in: 1984
Founder: Paul Spon-Smith
Best for: luxurious yet laid back furniture, nature-led aesthetic
4. En Gold
Sculpting stone for the modern age, Melbourne brand En Gold is known for its marble and stone coffee tables and plinths. Employing a team of skilled artisans in the Philippines, reflecting co-founder Steffanie’s cultural heritage, En Gold pieces interpret traditional crafts for contemporary homes, with elegant statement pieces crafted from opulent materials like marble and fossil stone. The En Gold range also comprises homewares, which retain the minimalist yet luxurious design of the brand’s flagship products; think wavy trays made from natural stone and curvilinear mirrors outlined in stone or marble in a manner reminiscent of Ettore Sottsass’ famous Ultrafragola design.
Established in: 2018
Founders: Steffanie and Matt Ball
Best for: statement coffee tables and homewares
5. Merci Maison
If you’re mostly sorted on the essentials and looking for a few carefully chosen statement pieces to lend your interiors some personality, we’d recommend looking to Merci Maison. The Sydney-based brand crafts a range of stylish, minimalist designs that blend organic forms with vintage European design influences. There’s also a vintage offering, with Merci Maison curating the best pre-loved designer finds on the market.
Established in: 2021
Founders: Jade Yarbrough and Danielle Robertson
Best for: final touches — lamps, bar carts, side tables, vases with a vintage, European feel
6. Dowel Jones
Founded by university mates Adam Lynch and Dale Hardiman, Dowel Jones has its roots in cafe furniture but has since expanded into a holistic home offering across furniture and lighting. The Australian furniture brand has a contemporary, pop art bent; its powder coated aluminium side tables and playfully bulbous side tables make for the ideal way to enliven any space, sitting happily in minimalist and maximalist interiors alike.
Established in: 2014
Founders: Adam Lynch and Dale Hardiman
Best for: funky, pop art designs; think colourful bulbous lounges and graphic side tables
7. Norsu Interiors
Named after the Finnish word for ‘elephant’, Norsu Interiors brings Scandi style to Australian shores. Pared-back designs with a sculptural bent reign supreme, rendered in neutral and pastel hues. We’re fans of the brand’s comfortable yet streamlined sofas and armchairs and vast range of decorative cushions.
Established in: 2013
Founders: Nat Wheeler and Kristy Sadlier
Best for: minimalist Scandinavian style furniture and soft furnishings in natural materials
8. FrancoCrea
Franco Crea’s self-titled brand creates luxury furniture with a refined, slightly moody vibe. Contemporary pieces with heirloom potential, FrancoCrea timeless designs see minimalist forms bestowed with intricate details, creating visual interest and separating them from the trend-driven styles often seen today.
Established in: 2013
Founder: Franco Crea
Best for: bachelor pad furniture, moody vibes
9. DesignByThem
Playful, geometrics forms are executed with high-quality craftsmanship and luxurious materials. Proving timeless design needn’t be homogenous, Australian furniture brand DesignByThem creates striking colourful pieces that make a statement while lasting the distance.
Established in: 2007
Founders: Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis
Best for: colourful furniture, playful designs
10. Ellison Studios
With over a decade of experience as a magazine stylist, it’s no wonder Sarah Ellison crafts furniture that’s perpetually photo-ready. Fortunately, it’s practical and comfortable too, with the brand’s designs reflecting a quintessentially Australian aesthetic that combines striking forms with understated simplicity. The Float sofa and Yoko bed frame are among our favourite pieces.
Established in: 2017
Founder: Sarah Ellison
Best for: understated designs with a touch of retro inspiration, furniture that feels lived-in
11. RJ Living
Offering elevated contemporary designs at an affordable price point, the RJ Living range spans the entire spectrum of residential indoor and outdoor furniture and homewares. Bathed in neutral and earthy tones and rendered in natural materials like wood and rattan, RJ Living furniture follows the relaxed design language that has become the calling card of Australian interior design.
Established in: 2012
Founder: David Janovic
Best for: relaxed Australian aesthetic at affordable prices
12. Monde
Australian furniture brand Monde does one thing and it does it well. Inspired by the simple, timeless designs of the best, Monde founder Tilly Barber began crafting modular sofas during lockdown. Today, Monde’s striking modular designs—ranging from singular seats to capacious sofas—are crafted in Melbourne from recycled materials on a made-to-order basis, with the bespoke model designed to promote responsible manufacturing and eliminate product waste.
Established in: 2020s
Founder: Tilly Barber
Best for: eco-conscious modular sofas, a unique investment piece
13. Rachel Donath
Australian furniture designer Rachel Donath’s eponymous brand blends antique and contemporary design cues to create artistic pieces that act as functional talking points in any home. Whether it’s a tasseled ottoman in rich velvet or a travertine table with a cut-out base, minimalist styles boast maximalist details and are crafted using ethical and sustainable design practices.
Established in: 2020
Founder: Rachel Donath
Best for: artistic statement pieces, minimalist designs with maximum impact
Words by Henry Blake
