Different Types of Furniture Legs: Styles to Elevate Your Space Today

Replacing the legs on old, dated furniture or creating something entirely from scratch can be a fulfilling way to infuse your space with personality. But with so many different types of furniture legs to choose from, picking the perfect style can feel overwhelming. We’re here to help!

You’ll learn all about the different furniture leg styles below, from timeless varieties like hairpin legs to modern marvels like A-frame or X-frame legs, and many, many more. We’ll also help you choose the right furniture leg types for your specific needs.

No matter which of these styles resonates with you, The Hairpin Leg Co. is your trusted source for the best selection of furniture legs online. We use top-quality materials and pay meticulous attention to detail in crafting our wooden furniture legs and metal furniture legs so you can rest assured you’re getting the quality you deserve.

Browse our catalogue and find your favourite style today!

Overview of the Different Types of Furniture Legs

Let’s get right into the different furniture leg types you have access to as you look to create your own work of art. Here are the most popular styles of furniture legs today:

Hairpin Legs

What are hairpin legs? These are one of our personal favourites for their slim, minimalist design. They were originally designed by Henry Glass in the 1940s, but we still consider them to be among the best table leg design today.

They’re made from metal and offer exceptional versatility. You’ll find them used on tables, desks, and benches, offering both stability and a sleek, modern look.

There are also different types of hairpin legs if you want to get even more specific - twin rod styles, triple rod styles, as well as some more modern twists inspired by the original design. Check out our selection of hairpin legs for more insights.

Queen Anne Legs

Queen Anne legs feature elegant, curved lines and are often found on antique furniture. Named after the style popularised during the reign of Queen Anne in the early 18th century, these legs typically have a pad foot or a simple round foot.

They are perfect for traditional settings and add a touch of sophistication to any piece. They’re becoming increasingly hard to find in this day and age, making them more sought-after types of antique furniture legs.

X-Frame Legs

As the name suggests, these X-frame legs form an “X” shape beneath the furniture for a bold and sturdy support structure that makes a statement.

These types of furniture legs are commonly used in industrial and rustic designs. Their strong and durable nature makes them suitable for heavy tables and benches. They add a distinctive, rugged aesthetic to the furniture.

Turned Legs

Turned legs are crafted using a lathe, resulting in symmetrical, rounded shapes with intricate details. They’re often seen on classic, traditional furniture pieces such as dining tables and chairs. The detailed craftsmanship of turned legs adds a touch of elegance and refinement to any piece.

Trapezium Legs

The unique geometrical shape of trapezium legs provides a modern look that aligns perfectly with contemporary settings.

Made from metal or wood, they provide excellent stability and are often used as modern table legs, but we also see them on desks frequently. Their unique shape adds a bold, architectural element to furniture design.

V-Frame Legs

V-frame legs form a “V” shape that creates a striking visual effect that commands attention in a space. They’re often used in modern and industrial designs for their robust support and a sleek appearance. They are suitable for a variety of furniture types, including tables, benches, and desks.

Square Industrial Legs

Looking for a simple design that still captures attention in a room? Square industrial legs strike a perfect balance with their clean, straight lines and sturdy construction.

These furniture leg types are designed for strength and durability, making them ideal for heavy-duty furniture. They offer a minimalist and industrial aesthetic that aligns exceptionally well with a variety of modern interiors.

Cabriole Legs

These are another classic example of the types of antique furniture legs you’re seeing less and less of, but that doesn’t make them any less appealing. In fact, their scarcity adds to their appeal.

Cabriole legs are known for their graceful, curved shape, resembling the leg of an animal. They were popularised in the 18th century and are often found on antique and reproduction furniture. Cabriole legs add an element of elegance and classical beauty to chairs, tables, and cabinets.

Saber Legs

These legs are characterised by their gentle outward curve, mimicking the shape of a saber - which is where the name comes from.

Saber legs are commonly used on chairs and sofas, for a refined, graceful appearance. They are often found in Regency and Empire-style furniture, adding a touch of historical charm.

Spindle Legs

Spindle legs are thin, turned legs that feature multiple decorative spindles along their length. They’re commonly used in traditional and country-style furniture, such as Windsor chairs and rustic tables. Their intricate detailing adds a quaint, charming aesthetic to any piece.

A-Frame Legs

Last but not least, we have another contemporary furniture leg style - the A-frame legs. The “A” shape formed by this type of furniture leg provides a solid and distinctive support structure.

This design is one of the most popular choices in modern and industrial designs, offering excellent stability and a unique visual appeal. They are ideal for tables, desks, and benches, adding a contemporary touch to furniture design.

Which of the Furniture Leg Styles is Right For You?

As you can see there are tons of furniture leg types to choose from - the possibilities are endless! This can be a blessing and a curse, as it leaves you with so many options to narrow down. So, here are some tips on choosing the right types of furniture legs for your unique needs.

Assessing Your Décor Style

The first step in selecting the right furniture leg style is to evaluate your existing décor. Different leg styles harmonise with different design aesthetics:

Traditional and Classic Interiors: Consider furniture leg styles such as Queen Anne, cabriole, or turned legs. Their intricate detailing and elegant curves enhance the sophistication of traditional furniture.
Modern and Contemporary Spaces: Hairpin Legs, tapered legs, and trapezium legs are ideal as these styles provide clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic that’s perfect for contemporary settings.
Industrial and Rustic Designs: X-frame legs, square industrial legs, and V-frame legs are well-suited for industrial and rustic interiors. Their robust and rugged appearance adds a unique, edgy character to your furniture.
Eclectic and Transitional Spaces: Choose versatile options like spindle legs or A-frame legs. These styles can blend well with a variety of furniture designs, adding a distinctive touch without overwhelming the overall aesthetic.

Material Considerations

Beyond the furniture legs style you choose, the material matters as well. It influences both appearance and durability, with the two most common choices being wood and metal.

Wooden legs, such as those found in turned or spindle legs, offer a warm, natural look and can be stained or painted to match your furniture. Wood is a versatile material that works well in both traditional and modern settings.

On the other hand, metal legs, like hairpin, square industrial, and V-frame legs, provide strength and a contemporary feel. They’re often finished with coatings to prevent rust and increase durability. Some coatings might even be outdoor grade, or you can opt for stainless steel for the ultimate durability and longevity.

You may also find composite materials that mimic the appearance of wood or metal while offering enhanced durability and resistance to environmental factors.

Height and Stability Factors

It’s also important that you account for height as you start shopping the different types of furniture legs. For example, desk legs height will vary from the height of coffee table legs, or barstool legs. Measure carefully so your furniture is comfortable and accessible.

Think about what you intend to mount your furniture legs on as well. Heavier furniture pieces, like dining tables and desks, may require sturdier legs such as X-frame or square industrial legs. The legs must support the weight of the furniture and its contents without wobbling or tipping.

Discover All the Different Styles of Furniture Legs at The Hairpin Leg Co.!

From classics like hairpin legs to contemporary choices such as trapezium legs, we have all the different types of furniture legs you could need here at The Hairpin Leg Co.!

We’ve been empowering DIYers, makers, and professionals alike for more than a decade through our solutions. All the products are carefully crafted from premium materials with unparalleled attention to detail, ensuring a beautiful end result that stands the test of time.

You can narrow your search for the perfect furniture legs styles based on what you’re looking to build, too. Here are some of our most popular collections:

No matter which you go with, you can rest assured you’re getting a stunning, durable work of art that will elevate your home - in fact, your order is backed by our 60-days money-back guarantee. We also include a 5-year warranty with your purchase.

You don’t have to stress about how to install furniture legs, either. All necessary hardware is included along with a simple builder’s guide to help you navigate the process. Our friendly customer service team is always available, too.

So, why not take a look around and see which of the different styles of furniture legs catches your eye? The perfect pick is waiting to be discovered at The Hairpin Leg Co.!

Wrapping Up Our Guide to the Types of Legs on Furniture

That concludes our guide to the different types of furniture legs. From the elegance of Queen Anne legs to the timeless simplicity of hairpin legs to the contemporary flair of X-frame legs and every style in between, we’re confident you’ll be able to make the right pick after reading!

Just consider your décor, material preferences, and stability needs as you start narrowing down the ideal furniture leg style for your unique needs. Ultimately, all that matters is that you love the way your furniture looks and that it serves its practical purpose well.

Find additional resources in our blog like how to fix hairpin legs, how to install sofa legs, the best way to connect table legs, how to make hairpin legs without welding, how to raise a bed without legs, DIY metal table legs, and a whole lot more.

But whether you’re looking for the best desk legs or the best dining table legs, or even the best metal table legs for some other type of furniture entirely, your search starts at The Hairpin Leg Co. Elevate your furniture with the best furniture legs today!