Inflatable Support Chairs

Sonnet Chair Fuse an Inflatable Fabric Form with a Stainless Steel Frame

The Sonnet Chair combines the softness of a beanbag with the structure of an inflatable chair. Designed by Carlo Livaja, it uses an inflatable fabric ball shaped and restrained by a bent stainless steel pipe. The base forms a defined, tongue-shaped seating element, while the inflated back provides support for leaning. Rather than allowing the fabric to collapse freely like a traditional beanbag, the frame determines its final form as air fills the cover. The result is a chair that uses inflation as part of its structural system rather than simply as a way to create cushioning.

The design takes shape through its inflation process. The fabric begins as a loose form before expanding until it meets the stainless steel frame, which limits further movement and establishes the chair’s silhouette. This combination of a rigid structural element and flexible fabric allows the seating surface and backrest to retain their intended positions while remaining visually soft. The approach follows a broader exploration of inflatable furniture in which rigid components control expansion.

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