‘Star Trek’ Chairs & Their Real Furniture Stores Are Named In This Geeky Log

Image via Star Trek / IMDb

Despite first landing in 1966, Star Trek’s space-age optics are considered futuristic even for today’s standards. Surprisingly, many of the chairs seen on the show were actually repurposed or modified from existing designs available during the time of filming.

With the sleek lines and ergonomic shapes of mid-century and later-period furniture designs, they found their way onto the starships and space stations of the Star Trek universe, seamlessly blending the past with the 23rd and 24th centuries. In the early days, producers purchased furniture off the shelf to keep within a tight budget. When the franchise found astronomical success, they were able to afford more notable pieces.

In an interesting project, four Star Trek fans have created a database of chairs from the films and shows that are commercially available.

Thus far, Ex Astris Scientia has identified 163 chairs, and it’s calling upon others to join in on its mission to trek track down more.

Below are some of the documented furniture, which includes IKEA items. You can explore the growing list here.

Whoopi Goldberg is sitting on the ClassiCon Bibendum in The Next Generation: Suspicions. Images via Star Trek / IMDb and ClassiCon

Rebecca Romijn is sitting on Blu Dot’s Field Lounge Chair in Strange New Worlds: Ghosts of Illyria. Images via Star Trek / IMDb and Blu Dot

Mark Holton, Andrew Kavovit, and Lisa Lord are sitting on IKEA’s vintage PAJALA chairs in Deep Space Nine: Nor the Battle to the Strong. Image via Star Trek / IMDb

Marina Sirtis is sitting on the Artifort F549 Tulip Midi in The Next Generation: The Loss. Images via Star Trek / IMDb and Artifort

[via Neatorama and Boing Boing, images via various sources]