Why is Parker Knoll furniture so popular in the UK?

Sofas or chairs all might seem like simple enough things at first glance, but their uncomplicated appearance rarely does justice to the incredible amount of knowledge, expertise and passion that goes into making them look good and feel comfortable. One company that knows exactly how to do that is Parker Knoll, a furniture manufacturer with more than a century and a half of history to its name. That’s something I like to think we’ve got a decent appreciation of ourselves here at Cover My Furniture, with our extensive range of replacement sofa covers, so this week, I thought I’d give you a quick breakdown of exactly why Parker Knoll sofas and chairs are so popular.

The heritage, history and innovation of Parker Knoll furniture

When it comes to making furniture, almost nobody has more experience than Parker Knoll. The company has more than 150 years of history to its name, able to trace its roots all the way back to 1869, when a bright-eyed 24 year old named Frederick Parker decided that he was going to start a furniture business. Right from the outset, Frederick had a very clear goal: he wanted to innovate, and create the finest furnishings available.

Frederick achieved his dream, and in the late 1920s, he left the thriving company to his three sons Harry, William and Thomas. They became acquainted with a German manufacturer by the name of Willi Knoll. An ex-fighter pilot, he was more than accustomed to how uncomfortable one could feel after sitting in a poorly designed seat for hours at a time, and so had developed a new tension spring for upholstered chairs and sofas.

The brothers Parker reached an agreement with Knoll to incorporate these high-tech tension springs into their furniture, which proved an instant hit with customers. The company changed its name to Parker Knoll in the 1930s.

The combined expertise of the craftsmen at its helm has meant that Parker Knoll has been at the forefront of multiple furniture innovations over the last few years, such as the Penshurst chair released shortly after WWII, showcasing Parker Knoll’s innovative spring technology. Then there’s its Cornwall Newton recliner, launched a few decades later.

It’s not just the general public’s hearts which have been captured by these chairs. The designs have intrigued plenty of celebrities over the years too; Roald Dahl’s favourite writing chair was a Parker Knoll! All in all, it’s no wonder that today it enjoys an enduring reputation as one of the UK’s most prestigious furniture manufacturers.

The undeniable quality of Parker Knoll furniture

Of course, chairs and sofas aren’t sold on their stories alone, so this is perhaps the most pivotal reason why Parker Knoll furniture is so popular. Put simply, it’s wonderfully comfortable. Each one is handmade in the UK with high quality materials, and built to last. All that might sound like the bare basics for the type of furniture you’d want in your home, but Parker Knoll sets itself exceptionally high standards, and its constant focus on innovation over the decades has ensured that it remains a firm customer favourite.

And if you’re thinking about buying a Parker Knoll chair or sofa for your home, or you’re considering giving an existing piece of Parker Knoll furniture a fresh new look, that’s exactly where the team and I can help here at Cover My Furniture.

We take care to provide a comprehensive range of sofa covers, chair covers and more for you to choose from. This includes a dedicated range for Parker Knoll loose covers, as well as other leading brands like MultiYork and Laura Ashley, so that you’ll always be able to find plenty of options to suit you.

If you’re having trouble making a decision, or you’re looking for something in particular, don’t hesitate to let one of us know. You can get in touch using the contact form on our website, or through our Facebook or Instagram. We’re always happy to hear from you!