Trying out a new style of decor can be tough for some people, especially when it means committing to an entire room of change. Modern chairs are an easy way to sample a new style in your living space. They let you express your personal style without pushing your while room over the top. From basic shapes upholstered in unusual fabrics to wild and wonderful arty pieces, you can find a modern chair that works for you.

Yank Shonibare’s “Windy Chair,” made of painted aluminum, is a perfect intersection of art and design. This particular piece was presented by the Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery at Design Miami/ 2015.Weird and wonderful is the only way to describe this bench from the Afreaks Collection by the Haas Brothers.Definitely an unusual piece, this modern chair is an example of whimsy at its most imaginative.The Intricate bead work on this chair designed by the Haas Brothers was done by a South African group of female artists who are beading experts.Fist stools/tables available through the Amman Gallery.

Stools are another option for trying out something modern. They are smaller pieces that you can sample in many rooms of your home. These could do double duty as side tables as well.

Mix in a little metal with this modern chair by designer Satyendra Pakhalé. The self-described cultural nomad grew up in India, trained in India and Switzerland, and worked internationally for two decades. The chair is different but subtle.The brass work on the modern chair is gorgeous.Pakhalé also creates bold pieces like this Flower Offering Chair in a dynamic green. The color of the modern chair as well as the design are out of the ordinary.Modern chairs and stools do not have to be bold in shape or color. This stool and matching vase and vessel are neutral in color but are made from an unusual material: asphalt. This collection is called Black Gold by Quintus Kropholler.Mixed with stone, the asphalt assumes various colors and textures in this study modern bench.Here’s a closer look at the colored stone in the bench. His worksare available through the Brooklyn studioChamber.For a sporty style, these modern stools are understated enough for almost any space. These are from the Body Building collection by Milan-based Italian design duo Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari.Still understated, but a little more unusual are these round modern stools, called Palla rosa. The designers reupholstered vintage gym equipment for this Bodybuilding collection. These are inflatable seats upholstered in metallic leather and beaver fur, with a synthetic central band.Vanishing Point III is a modern sofa designed by Sebastian Brajkovic. It is made from patinated bronze, cashmere wool and metallic embroidery.

Modern sofas are another way to update your decor and make a statement. They are more of a commitment than just a chair, but can meld into almost any style of home. This is a great example of a neutrally colored piece of furniture that is highly unusual thanks to its shape. It’s definitely an art piece!

These modern benches by Lebanese-born designer Karen Chekerdjian are fantastic, particularly because they could ease into any space — modern and edgy but versatile.The Whist Chaise Longue, designed in 1964 by Olivier Mourgue is made of steel and black leather.

Adding a modern lounge is another way to sample a new style. This is a vintage piece by French industrial designerOlivier Morgue, who is best known for designing thefuturistic Djinn chairs used in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The materials are standard — ametal frame and leather upholstery — but it is an outstanding piece of modern seating and is so easy to mix with other furnishings.

A modern chaise that is also very elegant can be versatile. This one by young Dutch designer Joris Laarman is called the Microstructure Chaise.Even the underside of this lounge is elegant, with the fabric’s design carried over to the metal base.A close-up of the stunning fabric. It is copper and nickel plated 3D printed polyamide, silk, cotton and Merino wool.Paulin’s 574 Chair from 1967 is made of a tubular metal structure, polyether, aluminum sections, and stretch fabric.

This groupingfeatures chairs by Pierre Paulin, one of the most important designers of the 20th century. He is perhaps best known for theinnovative designs he created in the 1960s forArtifact. These modern chairs are a perfect example of how good design stands the test of time. While approaching the 50-year mark, these chairs are versatile and fresh in today’s decor.

Paulin’s famous Mushroom Chair.Pierre Paulin Ribbon Chair and Ottoman, 1965. The “Sundown” fabric was designed by Jack Lenor Larsen, and the frame is lacquered wood. The chair and ottoman are available through the Galerie Philippe Jousse.The prolific Paulin design this extra large chaise modern lounge, “Decline,” in 1968. IT is made of wood, aluminium, and foam textile. There are only wo known pieces like this and one is in the Pompidou Center in Paris.Paired with solid-colored modern chairs and a minimalist coffee table, this bench would be perfect for modern decor.

Modern chairs don’t have to be devoid of detail or tradition. This bench, by theCampana Brothers, melds iconic Brazilian leather with traditional designs and complex patterns. Known as the godfathers of contemporary Brazilian design, this bench is a very fancy yet modern piece.

The Campagna brothers enlisted master leather craftsmen to make their designs a reality.The many colors of their leather pieces are a wonderful modern decor idea to serve as a counterpoint in a minimalist room.These modern chairs look like they might belong outdoors, but adding a rustic touch of wood or stone to modern decor, can make for an exciting and unexpected feature. These chairs by Korean designer Bying Hoon Choi are carved from basalt.The highly polished seat, contrasted with the rustic exterior and organic shape are most interesting.If you’re feeling bold, this glimmering modern bench may be just the thing. Designed by Zhoujie Zhang, the Wave Bench is made of stainless steel with a super mirror finish.This close-up shows the mirror finish on the geometric planes that make up the surface of the bench. It is available through Gallery ALL.Equally shiny and eye-catching is the Spider Chair by By Zhoujie Zhang. Made of brass, it is made with the designer’s own digitalized fabrication system.Again, the highly polished planes add dimension and interest to the modern chair.If you’re looking for something really unusual — but still highly functional — to your decor, these chairs from Gallery ALL are perfect. Designed by Aranda Lasch the R2 (Silicon Foam) chair from the Railing Series, is made of sandblasted stainless steel and silicon foam.Available in different configurations and colors, these would be a decidedly unusual addition to your kitchen or home office.These comfy-looking modern armchairs are classic Danish design from Fritz Hansen and would definitely work in any home decor — even in a traditional one!This beautiful modern chair is from the mid-20th Century.If you love hanging chairs, then perhaps Fiona Blackfish is for you. Created by Porky Hefer, the hanging chair is just plain awesome. She has a leather exterior ands a furry pink tongue-shaped seat. The teeth are made of leather too. Unusual? Yup. Awesome? Definitely.This modern bench features the work of south African graffiti artists on this ceramic bench by Laurie Wiid Van Heerden.The detail in the tattoo designs is spectacular. The piece is available through the Southern Guild, an group that promotes and represents South African artists.The drawing is intricate and complex.Classic wood can also be characteristic of modern chairs. These Zig Zag chairs were designed by Gerrit Th. Rietveld in 1935. A good example of great design, these chairs have lasted for close to a century and are still as appealing and relevant they were when created.