Vitra Nelson Bench with natural ash slatted top and black lacquered legs

Object No.

003

Detail view of the slatted wood construction and architectural base

Vitra

Birsfelden, Switzerland

Verified Maker

Nelson Bench in Ash

EUR 855

In Stock

Designed in 1946, the Nelson Bench is a masterclass in architectural honesty. With its clean linear aesthetic and slatted ash wood, it serves equally well as a low table, a seat, or a platform for your favorite objects

Works in

The Living Room

Available exclusively at

Connox

connox.com · Ships internationally

Discover at Connox

✦ Some links support our editorial work at no extra cost to you — see how this works

Height	35.3 cm
Depth	46.9 cm
Material	Solid Ash wood, black lacquered base

The Nelson Bench is one of the few pieces of furniture that transcends its category. Originally conceived to support Nelson’s 'Basic Cabinet Series,' its slatted surface was a radical departure from the heavy, upholstered furniture of the era.

We love it because it embodies the 'truth to materials' philosophy; Nothing is hidden.

Read the full story

Style it at the foot of a bed for linens, or use it in an entryway to anchor the space

Please refer to the retailer's delivery page for current lead times and return policies on furniture items

✦ When you click through and purchase, Handpicked may earn a small commission — at no cost to you.

The Edit

"A bench should be honest. It is a platform for life to happen upon, whether that means a place to sit or a place to display your world"

— The Handpicked Editors

About Vitra

70+

Years of Design

Vitra Design Museum

∞

Commitment to Originality

George Nelson’s background in architecture is undeniable in the bench's silhouette. By using slats, he allowed light and air to pass through the piece, preventing it from feeling like a heavy block in a room. It was a visionary approach to the 'family room' concept he helped invent.

Manufactured by Vitra with meticulous attention to the original 1946 specifications, each bench is crafted from solid ash. It isn't just a piece of mid-century history; it is a versatile tool for modern living that ages beautifully as the natural ash takes on a deeper patina over time.

Solid Wood

Maker Spotlight

Vitra

Birsfelden, Switzerland · Est. 2026

Visit Studio →

"The most important thing is that a product doesn't just look good, but that it works and lasts."

Vitra

Philosophy

The Longevity of Original Design

Vitra refuses to compromise on the 'original.' To them, a design is not just a shape, but a relationship with the author. By manufacturing pieces that are technically and aesthetically durable, they ensure that a chair is never a disposable commodity, but an environmental asset that lasts for generations

Origin

The Forests of Western Europe

The ash used for the Vitra edition is sourced primarily from Western Europe and Poland. This local sourcing ensures the wood is acclimated to the climate and meets Vitra's strict sustainability and quality standards before being processed in their Swiss and German ateliers

Process

Lacquered Precision

The bench is defined by the contrast between its natural ash slats and the black-lacquered U-shaped legs. The slats are joined with finger joints for maximum stability, then clear-lacquered to preserve the wood's breathability and tactile grain

Nelson Bench in Ash

Vitra

The Longevity of Original Design

The Forests of Western Europe

Lacquered Precision

More From Vitra