Design Within Reach
The American shop that made licensed modern classics easy to buy
- Founded
- Late 1990s, San Francisco
- Founder
- Rob Forbes
- Parent company
- Herman Miller (MillerKnoll), majority stake acquired 2014
- Known for
- Licensed modern design classics and in-house collections
Written by Evelien Bunnik-RemmeltsCo-Founder and CEO, WhoppahDesign Within Reach, often shortened to DWR, is an American retailer of modern furniture founded in the late 1990s by Rob Forbes, a former potter who studied ceramics and later earned an MBA at Stanford. It started as a catalog selling European and American modern classics that were hard to get quickly in the US. In 2014 Herman Miller acquired a majority stake, and DWR is now part of MillerKnoll. On Whoppah, DWR matters because it sold so many licensed originals, from Eames and Saarinen to Danish classics, which means a lot of good design has entered American homes through it. Our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live. In this guide I'll explain what DWR actually sold, how to read a label, and why I think a DWR provenance is a useful clue when you buy secondhand.
How did Design Within Reach start?
Rob Forbes founded DWR with a simple idea: make modern design available without months of waiting. Products shipped directly to buyers through the catalog and, later, online. The company went public in 2004, had a hard few years after Forbes left, and in 2014 Herman Miller bought a majority stake.
Forbes himself went on to found Public Bikes and to write about visual thinking. I like that his background was in ceramics, not retail. You can feel an eye for objects in the early DWR catalogs.
What does Design Within Reach sell?
Two things. First, licensed modern classics from manufacturers like Herman Miller, Knoll, Carl Hansen & Son and Fritz Hansen. Second, DWR's own collections and exclusives, often made with contemporary designers.
That distinction matters secondhand. A licensed classic is judged by its manufacturer and model. A DWR exclusive is judged as DWR furniture: often well made, but not the same as a design icon.
How do I check a secondhand piece bought at DWR?
Look for the manufacturer's label or mark, not just the DWR receipt. Herman Miller, Knoll and the Danish makers mark their pieces, and those marks tell you more than where it was bought. An original receipt is a nice bonus for the story.
Then check condition the usual way: seat shells for cracks, veneers for lifting, cushions for wear, bases for wobble. Ask the seller about the year of purchase.
How do DWR pieces fit into a home?
DWR sold the vocabulary of modern living: the lounge chair, the dining chair, the simple sofa. Almost everything works together, which makes it easy to build a room over time.
My tip: mix one or two of those classics with something warmer and less expected, like a vintage rug or a handmade ceramic lamp. It keeps a modern room from feeling like a showroom.
“Design Within Reach taught a lot of Americans the names of the chairs they were sitting on, and that's worth a lot.”
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Design Within Reach?
Rob Forbes founded Design Within Reach in the late 1990s. He was a trained potter who later worked in retail marketing.
Who owns Design Within Reach?
Herman Miller acquired a majority stake in 2014. DWR is now part of MillerKnoll.
Are DWR pieces authentic designer furniture?
DWR sells licensed classics made by the original manufacturers, plus its own collections. Check the manufacturer's label on any secondhand piece to know which one you're buying.
Is the DWR receipt important when reselling?
It's helpful for the story and the purchase date. The manufacturer's label and the condition matter more.
Can I sell furniture from Design Within Reach on Whoppah?
Yes. Photograph the piece and any labels, and mention where and when you bought it. Our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live.
If it came from DWR, check the maker's label first: that's where the real story is. Set a saved search on Whoppah for the classic you've been eyeing.