Top 10 Modern Furniture Stores That Pair Well with Fine Art
Creating a beautiful, cohesive home requires thoughtful selection of both furniture and art. The best modern furniture stores understand that furniture should complement, not compete with, fine art. These stores offer pieces with clean lines, neutral palettes, and sophisticated designs that provide the perfect backdrop for artwork. Here are the top 10 modern furniture stores in the San Francisco Bay Area that pair well with fine art.
1. Room & Board
Location: 685 7th St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (SoMa) Website: roomandboard.com Specialty: Modern furniture with clean lines and neutral palettes
Why it's top: Room & Board is renowned for its modern furniture designs that serve as the perfect backdrop for fine art. The store offers pieces with clean lines, quality craftsmanship, and neutral color palettes that allow artwork to take center stage. Room & Board's commitment to supporting local artists is demonstrated through partnerships with organizations like ArtSpan, hosting art exhibitions and events that showcase how furniture and art work together.
What to expect: Three floors of modern furniture and home decor in a restored 1950s warehouse powered by solar energy. The showroom features furniture with sophisticated, minimalist designs that complement rather than compete with artwork. The store regularly hosts art events and exhibitions, demonstrating their understanding of how furniture and art create harmonious spaces together. The building features landscaping by local architect Andrea Cochran, creating a complete design experience.
Best for: Those seeking modern furniture that serves as a neutral backdrop for art, supporters of local artists (through their ArtSpan partnerships), and anyone looking for quality, well-designed pieces that won't compete with artwork. Perfect for creating gallery-like spaces in your home.
2. Design Within Reach
Location: 1400 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94107 (Potrero Hill) Website: dwr.com Specialty: Iconic modern furniture and rotating art galleries
Why it's top: Design Within Reach's 15,000-square-foot showroom showcases iconic modern furniture designs and includes rotating galleries for art and temporary installations. The store understands the relationship between furniture and art, creating spaces that demonstrate how they work together. The showroom pays homage to San Francisco's design legacy while providing pieces that serve as perfect complements to fine art.
What to expect: A curated selection of iconic modern furniture designs from renowned designers, displayed in a showroom that includes rotating art galleries and temporary installations. The store demonstrates how furniture and art can work together, providing inspiration for creating harmonious spaces. The furniture designs emphasize clean lines, quality materials, and timeless aesthetics that won't date or compete with artwork.
Best for: Design enthusiasts seeking iconic modern pieces, those interested in seeing furniture and art displayed together, and anyone looking for timeless designs that complement fine art. Perfect for creating sophisticated, gallery-inspired spaces.
3. Scott + Cooner San Francisco
Location: 543 8th St, San Francisco, CA 94103 (near Design District) Website: scottcooner.com Specialty: Contemporary furniture from global brands
Why it's top: Scott + Cooner's 10,000-square-foot showroom near the San Francisco Design District offers contemporary furniture and accessories from global brands like Cassina, Baxter, and Knoll. The store features sophisticated, modern designs with neutral palettes and quality craftsmanship that provide excellent backdrops for fine art. The showroom demonstrates how high-end contemporary furniture can enhance rather than compete with artwork.
What to expect: A curated selection of contemporary furniture from renowned international brands, displayed in a spacious showroom. The furniture emphasizes sophisticated design, quality materials, and neutral color palettes that allow artwork to shine. The store offers pieces that work well in gallery-like settings, where art is the focal point.
Best for: Those seeking high-end contemporary furniture, design professionals, and anyone looking for sophisticated pieces that complement fine art. Perfect for creating elegant, art-focused interiors.
4. West Elm
Location: 5602 Bay St, Emeryville, CA 94608 Website: westelm.com Specialty: Contemporary furniture with modern design focus
Why it's top: West Elm offers contemporary furniture and home decor with a focus on modern design that pairs well with fine art. The store's pieces feature clean lines, neutral color palettes, and contemporary aesthetics that provide excellent backdrops for artwork. West Elm's designs are accessible yet sophisticated, making it easy to create spaces where furniture and art work harmoniously together.
What to expect: Contemporary furniture and home decor with modern design sensibilities. The store offers pieces with clean lines, neutral palettes, and versatile designs that work well with various art styles. The furniture is designed to be functional and beautiful without overwhelming the space or competing with artwork.
Best for: Those seeking accessible contemporary furniture, urban living spaces, and anyone looking for modern pieces that complement fine art without breaking the budget. Perfect for creating stylish, art-friendly spaces.
5. KCC Modern Living
Location: 1325 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710 Website: kccmodernliving.com Specialty: Modern, contemporary, and high-end furniture, lighting, and art
Why it's top: KCC Modern Living offers modern, contemporary, and high-end furniture, lighting, art, and accessories, serving the Bay Area with a comprehensive approach to interior design. The store understands that furniture, lighting, and art work together to create cohesive spaces, offering pieces that complement each other and fine art collections.
What to expect: A curated selection of modern and contemporary furniture, lighting, and accessories, along with art pieces. The store takes a holistic approach to interior design, understanding how furniture and art work together. The pieces emphasize quality, design, and neutral palettes that allow artwork to be the focal point.
Best for: Those seeking a comprehensive approach to interior design, design professionals, and anyone looking for furniture, lighting, and accessories that work together with fine art. Perfect for creating complete, cohesive interiors.
6. insite antiques & design
Location: 3424 Sacramento St, San Francisco, CA 94118 Website: insitead.com Specialty: Interior design services with art gallery
Why it's top: insite antiques & design combines interior design services with an art gallery, offering original antiques, custom-designed furniture, and contemporary art. The store understands the relationship between furniture and art, creating spaces where both work together harmoniously. The combination of design services and art gallery makes it unique among Bay Area furniture stores.
What to expect: Interior design services combined with an art gallery, offering original antiques, custom-designed furniture, and contemporary art. The store takes a holistic approach, helping clients create spaces where furniture and art work together. The design team understands how to select furniture that complements artwork and vice versa.
Best for: Those seeking design services along with furniture and art, collectors looking for curated spaces, and anyone wanting a complete design solution. Perfect for creating custom interiors where furniture and art are perfectly integrated.
7. Design Plus Consignment Gallery
Location: 333 8th St, San Francisco, CA 94103 Website: designplusgallery.com Specialty: Pre-owned modern furniture, art, lighting, and accessories
Why it's top: Design Plus Consignment Gallery provides a unique retail experience with pre-owned modern furniture, art, lighting, rugs, and accessories, emphasizing sustainability. The store understands that furniture and art work together, offering pieces that complement each other. The consignment model provides access to quality modern furniture at more accessible prices.
What to expect: A curated selection of pre-owned modern furniture, art, lighting, rugs, and accessories. The store emphasizes sustainability while offering quality pieces that work well with fine art. The inventory changes regularly, providing opportunities to find unique pieces that complement artwork. The store understands how furniture and art create cohesive spaces.
Best for: Those seeking sustainable furniture options, budget-conscious shoppers looking for quality modern pieces, and anyone interested in pre-owned furniture that pairs well with art. Perfect for finding unique pieces that complement fine art collections.
8. Gingko Furniture
Location: 903 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041 Website: gingkofurniture.com Specialty: Sustainable, solid walnut furniture and mid-century modern designs
Why it's top: Gingko Furniture specializes in sustainable, solid walnut furniture and mid-century modern designs that provide excellent backdrops for fine art. The store's emphasis on quality materials and timeless designs creates pieces that won't compete with artwork. The mid-century modern aesthetic, with its clean lines and neutral palettes, pairs particularly well with contemporary art.
What to expect: Sustainable, solid walnut furniture with mid-century modern influences. The pieces emphasize quality craftsmanship, natural materials, and timeless designs that complement fine art. The store's commitment to sustainability aligns with values of quality and longevity, creating furniture that serves as a lasting backdrop for art collections.
Best for: Those seeking sustainable furniture, mid-century modern enthusiasts, and anyone looking for quality pieces with natural materials that complement fine art. Perfect for creating warm, natural backdrops for artwork.
9. Harrington Galleries
Location: San Francisco Bay Area Website: harringtongalleries.com Specialty: Custom furniture, interior design, and design-build projects
Why it's top: Harrington Galleries offers custom furniture, interior design, and design-build projects, blending custom upholstered furniture with vintage heirlooms and modern design. The store takes a comprehensive approach to interior design, understanding how custom furniture can be designed specifically to complement fine art collections. The combination of custom work and design services makes it unique.
What to expect: Custom furniture design and interior design services that take into account fine art collections. The store can create custom pieces designed specifically to complement artwork, ensuring perfect harmony between furniture and art. The design team understands how to create spaces where furniture serves as the perfect backdrop for fine art.
Best for: Those seeking custom furniture solutions, design services that integrate furniture and art, and anyone wanting furniture specifically designed to complement their art collection. Perfect for creating custom interiors where furniture and art are perfectly matched.
10. 21 Modern Furniture
Location: 747 W Dana St, Mountain View, CA 94041 Website: 21modernfurniture.com Specialty: Contemporary and modern furniture from European countries
Why it's top: 21 Modern Furniture provides contemporary and modern furniture from Italy, Germany, Spain, and other European countries. The store offers sophisticated European designs with clean lines, quality craftsmanship, and neutral palettes that provide excellent backdrops for fine art. European modern furniture is known for its timeless aesthetics that won't compete with artwork.
What to expect: Contemporary and modern furniture from renowned European manufacturers, displayed in a showroom setting. The pieces emphasize European design sensibilities, quality craftsmanship, and sophisticated aesthetics that complement fine art. The furniture designs are timeless and won't date, ensuring they remain appropriate backdrops for art collections.
Best for: Those seeking European modern furniture, design enthusiasts interested in international styles, and anyone looking for sophisticated pieces that complement fine art. Perfect for creating elegant, European-inspired interiors with art.
How Furniture and Art Work Together
Creating the Perfect Backdrop
Neutral Palettes: Modern furniture with neutral color palettes (grays, beiges, whites, natural wood tones) provides the perfect backdrop for artwork. These colors don't compete with art, allowing it to be the focal point.
Clean Lines: Furniture with clean, simple lines doesn't compete with artwork for attention. Simple, well-designed furniture serves as a frame for art rather than competing with it.
Quality Materials: High-quality materials and craftsmanship ensure furniture looks sophisticated and complements fine art. Quality furniture and quality art work together to create cohesive, elegant spaces.
Proper Scale: Furniture should be appropriately scaled to the space and artwork. Large-scale art requires furniture that can hold its own without competing, while smaller pieces need furniture that doesn't overwhelm.
Design Principles
Let Art Be the Star: Choose furniture that enhances rather than competes with artwork. The furniture should support the art, not compete for attention.
Create Visual Hierarchy: Use furniture to create visual hierarchy, directing attention to artwork. Furniture placement can guide the eye toward art pieces.
Balance and Harmony: Create balance between furniture and art. Too much visual weight in either direction creates imbalance. Well-chosen furniture and art create harmony.
Cohesive Color Palette: While furniture should be neutral, it can share subtle color connections with artwork. A blue-gray sofa might complement blue tones in artwork, for example.
Planning Your Furniture and Art Integration
Start with Art or Furniture?
Art First Approach: If you have artwork you love, choose furniture that complements it. Select neutral furniture that won't compete with your art.
Furniture First Approach: If you're starting with furniture, choose pieces with neutral palettes and clean lines that will work with various art styles.
Simultaneous Approach: The best results often come from considering furniture and art together, creating a cohesive design from the start.
Working with Showrooms
Ask for Art Integration Advice: Many of these stores understand how furniture and art work together. Ask for advice on selecting furniture that complements artwork.
View Furniture with Art in Mind: When shopping, consider how furniture will look with artwork. Bring photos of your art or think about the style of art you want to display.
Consider Scale: Think about the scale of your artwork when selecting furniture. Large art needs furniture that can hold its own, while smaller pieces need more delicate furniture.
Test Combinations: If possible, see how furniture and art work together before making final decisions. Some stores may allow you to visualize combinations.
The Bottom Line
The best modern furniture stores understand that furniture should complement, not compete with, fine art. Stores like Room & Board, Design Within Reach, and Scott + Cooner offer pieces with clean lines, neutral palettes, and sophisticated designs that provide the perfect backdrop for artwork. Whether you're starting with art or furniture, these stores can help you create harmonious spaces where both work together beautifully.
From Room & Board's commitment to supporting local artists through ArtSpan partnerships to Design Within Reach's rotating art galleries, these modern furniture stores demonstrate their understanding of how furniture and art create beautiful, cohesive spaces together. Visit these stores to find furniture that serves as the perfect backdrop for your fine art collection.
Your modern furniture journey, your art integration, your harmonious home design.