In Poland — especially Warsaw, layers of history sit alongside modern interventions, creating a landscape that feels both grounded and forward-looking.
That sensibility also extends to Polish furniture. It’s not about spectacle or trend. It’s purposeful — shaped by natural materials, historical context, guided by long-term value, not short-term appeal. There’s integrity in the way things are made - thoughtful, restrained, and built to last.
Over four days in Warsaw and Katowice, we visited a range of Poland’s furniture and lighting brands — from established manufacturers to upcoming design studios. What emerged was a portrait of a mature design culture, one that balances technical precision with material strength and quiet elegance.
Organized by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), the study tour offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at Poland’s thriving design and production ecosystem. From factory floors and prototyping workshops to showrooms and studios, we encountered a design industry that is globally minded yet deeply rooted — one that is steadily shaping the future of how we live, make, and furnish our spaces.
POLAND’S FURNITURE DNA: HISTORY, CRAFT, AND SUSTAINABILITY
For many years, Poland has ranked high among the world’s largest furniture exporters. In 2023, the value of Polish furniture exports was approximately 13.5 billion euros, making Poland one of the leaders in the international market. Furniture exports account for about 10% of the country’s total industrial export. Polish furniture makes a strong case for itself — combining solid materials like bentwood and hardwood with clean, functional design and serious production strength. It’s adaptable, well-built, increasingly sustainable, and manages to stay well priced without losing its value or charm.
For Indian architects and designers, Poland offers more than just production. There’s a shared appreciation for craft, clarity, and doing things well — the kind of alignment that makes collaboration easy and meaningful.
KLUŚ: LIGHTING AS AN ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE (WITH A RED DOT TWIST)
Our exploration began at KLUŚ, an LED lighting studio known for its modular, system-based lighting solutions. They are distinguished by the flexibility of the offered forms, which allows architects, distributors, interior designers, investors and individual clients to design and select LED lighting solutions tailored to their needs.
KLUŚ is a Polish lighting manufacturer with a long tradition, the core of which has always been design. They are present in over 50 countries around the world, delivering products to Europe, North and South America, Africa, Australia and Asia.
Adding a note of design excellence to the brand’s legacy, KLUŚ recently won the Red Dot Award 2025 for its Tulip collection, a series of sculptural pendant lamps available in Coastal, Industrial, and Natural finishes
The brand’s innovative approach was already visible in India through the Payana Vintage Car Museum in Bangalore, where custom-bent profiles and soft illumination helped define cinematic interiors. The installation was made possible through a collaborative effort between Ivorysense and KLUŚ Sp. z o.o., combining technical precision with design intent. In markets that value precision and location-specific design, KLUŚ positions itself not just as a vendor, but as a creative collaborator.
PANI JUREK: WHERE CONCEPT MEETS CRAFT
From high-tech to highly tactile, the next stop was the Studio of Pani Jurek, founded by artist Magda Jurek. Her collections — sculptural pendant lamps, hand-formed ceramic vessels — live at the intersection of art and function.
Each piece is crafted in limited numbers, often inspired by cultural or scientific references. Her work blends function with artistic expression — using color, texture, and form to create objects that act as signs, sculptures, or installations.
Interactivity is central to her pieces, which are shaped by their environment and the people who use them. Her fascination with materials, especially ceramics, is matched by a deep respect for their potential and limitations.
It’s easy to see this work resonating with India’s design-forward galleries, boutique hotels, and emotionally immersive spaces. Their Work feels personal — and deeply human.
NOVELLE: THEATRICAL CLASSICS REIMAGINED
From the poetic to the plush, Novelle offered an entirely different flavor — one of bold, tailored elegance. A family-run business since 1995, Novelle reinterprets classical European furniture through a more modern, expressive lens. From sculptural armchairs to bold statement headboards and upholstery that dares to speak, each piece is designed to make an impact.
What sets Novelle apart is its made-to-order approach. Largely customizable— making it ideal for India’s luxury segment, where individuality and extravagance often go hand in hand. This is glamour grounded in craft.
KLER: TIMELESS UPHOLSTERY MEETS AWARD-WORTHY DESIGN
Our tour inside KLER’s atelier offered a vivid snapshot of the brand’s global ambition. The showroom brimmed with the highly tailored, plush sofas and beds you'd expect from a premier European upholstery house. Their recently launched lines, co-created with international designers, showcase a growing versatility — from minimalist silhouettes for urban lofts to richly upholstered designs for resort living. With customization at scale and a commitment to detail, they’re perfectly aligned with the needs of India’s luxury residential and boutique hospitality clients.
WOODEN WARMTH AT BRITOP LIGHTING
In the heart of southern Poland, BRITOP Lighting and SPOT Light have long married traditional craftsmanship with contemporary lighting design. Their newest venture, Brinova, brings that legacy into a more premium, sustainable space — and now, into the Indian market.
Crafted from FSC®-certified wood, natural fabrics, and 95% plastic-free materials, Brinova’s lights combine tactile warmth with modern LED technology. The brand embraces a “repair, not replace” philosophy, with long-term support and in-house European manufacturing ensuring both consistency and quality.
With clean silhouettes, soft finishes, and a strong sustainability ethos, Brinova aligns well with India’s boutique hospitality and high-end residential segments. As Indian designers seek partners who blend craft, conscience, and scale, Brinova offers all three.
FAMEG: A LEGACY THAT STILL BENDS
With roots tracing back to Michael Thonet, the 19th-century pioneer of steam-bent furniture, FAMEG has been shaping elegant, curved wood pieces for over a century. In 1881, the Thonet brothers established a major factory in Radomsko, Poland, which remains the heart of FAMEG’s operations today.
Their legendary Model A-14 chair — made from just six wooden elements — remains a global icon, with over 100 million produced. Today, FAMEG blends heritage techniques with modern technology, producing thousands of chairs monthly while keeping the manual wood-bending process alive.
Sustainability is woven into the brand: FSC-certified timber, zero-waste production, reusable packaging, and green energy all support a future-forward approach. For Indian designers, especially in hospitality and contract sectors, FAMEG offers timeless design, lasting quality, and scalable flexibility — all backed by over 140 years of expertise.
MEBIN: SOLID WOOD, STYLISH SOLUTIONS
Our final stop was the workshop of Mebin, where solid wood isn’t just a material — it’s a signature. From dining tables to bedroom suites, every piece is built with enduring strength and softened by elegant veneer accents. The brand’s aesthetic leans toward timeless functionality, subtly refined.
Their designs aren't chasing fast trends; rather, they offer enduring quality and versatility that align beautifully with the modern Indian home—whether urban or coastal.
For Indian architects and clients who appreciate real wood, clean design, and environmental care, Mebin stands as a compelling choice—originally Polish, but evergreen in global appeal.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR INDIA
India’s design language is becoming more nuanced — shaped by narrative, longevity, and tactile honesty. Polish furniture, in its quiet, confident way, speaks directly to this shift.
It offers a rare combination: material depth, production reliability, and aesthetic restraint, with enough flexibility to suit both contemporary and heritage contexts. Whether furnishing a boutique hotel in Udaipur or a modern apartment in Mumbai, these brands offer substance with style and often at a cost far more accessible than their western European counterparts. (It’s no coincidence that IKEA, one of the world’s largest furniture retailers, sources a significant share of its production from Poland, drawn by its strong supply chains, local hardwoods, and manufacturing efficiency.)
A POLISH INVITATION
In a world often driven by fast trends and fleeting finishes, Poland’s furniture and lighting makers offer something different: intentional design, lasting value, and a respect for how things are made.
For Indian architects, designers, and curators, the door is wide open — and what lies beyond it isn’t just furniture. It’s a future worth designing together.