It’s not considered “high quality” or “fancy”. In fact, when you think of plywood, I'm guessing that you tend to think quite the opposite. Perhaps you picture the tall stacks of the composite wood panels at your local Home Depot. But, in reality, plywood is neither cheap nor low-quality. In fact, these days, plywood is gaining a reputation as a durable, versatile, and even handsome design material—as suitable for furniture as it is for subfloors.

Of course, architects and artists have long appreciated plywood. Legendary names like Eames and Aalto and Judd have all found ways to utilize the material. Scan a few Japandi Instagram accounts and you'll see the wood used in a myriad of ways today. Add to that plywood's strength and ability to bend, and it makes for the perfect material for all kinds of pieces, from chairs and tables to shelving units and desks. Here are a few of our favorite pieces at the moment.