HAY is a Danish furniture and home accessories brand founded in 2002 by Rolf Hay and Mette Hay. The company is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has become one of the most influential contemporary design brands globally. HAY's mission is to create high-quality furniture and accessories that are accessible without compromising on design, materials, or craftsmanship.
Founded in 2002, HAY emerged from the Co-founders and Creative Directors Mette and Rolf Hay's vision to revive the spirit of 1950s and 1960s Danish furniture design—an era when groundbreaking design was accessible to a broad audience. The brand collaborates with both established and emerging international designers to create furniture that balances aesthetic innovation with functional practicality.
HAY's design philosophy centres on three core principles: contemporary design that reflects current lifestyles, quality construction using durable materials, and accessible pricing that makes good design available to more people. The brand works with designers including Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Hee Welling, Stefan Diez, and Scholten & Baijings in a sustainable and democratic context to produce high-quality design products, drawing from three primary sources of inspiration: art, architecture, and fashion.
hay product categories
HAY have an extensive range of designer homeware items and these can be split into the three main categories of Furniture, Lighting and Accessories. Alternatively, you can view all the categories.
HAY Furniture
Seating: HAY's seating collection features iconic ranges including the Mags & Mags Soft Sofa, About a Chair (AAC), and the Quilton Sofa. These ranges showcase HAY's commitment to contemporary design with modular configurations, premium upholstery options, and versatile styles suitable for both residential and commercial spaces.
Tables: The Copenhague (CPH) table series, designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, remains a cornerstone of HAY's offering. Complemented by the New Order dining collection and the minimalist Pyramid table range, these collections combine Scandinavian craftsmanship with innovative materials and finishes. The Palisade outdoor table range extends this design philosophy to garden spaces, featuring durable materials and timeless aesthetics.
Storage: HAY's storage solutions include the New Order modular shelving system, the elegant Colour Cabinet range, and the versatile Pyramid shelving collection. Each range offers customisable configurations and premium finishes, allowing for personalised interior solutions.
Outdoor & Garden Furniture: The Palissade collection represents HAY's commitment to outdoor living, featuring weather-resistant seating, dining, and lounging options. With multiple powder-coated steel finishes including anthracite, iron red, olive green, sky grey, and cream white, the Palissade range combines durability with contemporary Scandinavian design, creating sophisticated outdoor spaces that complement any garden or terrace.
HAY Lighting
HAY's lighting collection includes pendant lights, floor lamps, table lamps, and wall lights. The George Nelson Bubble pendants, designed by George Nelson, unique design and ingenious use of materials prove to eliminate glare and provide an abundant, yet diffused light, available in multiple sizes. The Buoy lamp series combines minimalist design with ease of installation for versatile ambient lighting at an affordable price.
HAY Accessories
HAY Home accessories include textiles (cushions, throws, rugs), tableware, storage boxes, mirrors, and decorative objects. Many accessories are designed in collaboration with international designers and artists.
extraordinary design
HAY Designers
Design is core element of HAY's culture. Rolf and Mette Hay still work incredibly closely with their chosen designers and really challenge them to get the most out of a design. They are willing to take risks and think outside the box and this is why they have become such a phenomenal success story in a relatively short period of time. They had their 20th Anniversary back in 2022, at the same time as our 75th Anniversary and we are proud to have worked with them since their launch.
They work alongside famous creative design geniuses, as well as unknown designers, whom they believe have what it takes to succeed.
Hay Designers
Read more about the many designers behind Hay products
Click HAY Care & Maintenance Guide link below to find extensive information about material descriptions , maintenance and care guides for Hay furniture products. Below are some quick tips.
Wood Furniture Maintenance: Clean lacquered wood surfaces with a damp cloth and mild detergent, drying immediately. Oil-finished wood requires re-oiling every 6-12 months using natural wood oil. Avoid placing wooden furniture in direct sunlight or near heat sources to prevent fading and cracking. Maintain room humidity between 40-60%.
Upholstered Furniture Care: Vacuum upholstered surfaces weekly using a soft brush attachment. Address spills immediately by blotting with clean, absorbent cloths. For Kvadrat fabrics, please go to the Kvadrat Upholstery Care Guide. Professional cleaning is recommended every 12-24 months for heavily used pieces.
Plastic and Polypropylene: Clean polypropylene chairs with warm water and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads that can scratch surfaces. Polypropylene is UV-resistant, but prolonged outdoor exposure may cause gradual colour fading. Indoor use preserves colour vibrancy indefinitely.
Metal Furniture Maintenance: Wipe powder-coated metal with a damp cloth and mild detergent. For outdoor furniture, clean regularly to remove dirt and salt deposits that can compromise protective coatings. Touch up minor scratches with matching touch-up paint to prevent rust. Store outdoor furniture indoors or cover during winter months in harsh climates.
HAY prioritises sustainable materials and production methods. The brand uses FSC-certified wood, water-based lacquers with low VOC emissions, and recyclable materials where possible. Manufacturing partners are selected based on environmental standards and fair labour practices. HAY designs for longevity, creating furniture intended to last decades rather than follow short-term trends.
The company has committed to reducing plastic packaging, transitioning to recycled and recyclable materials. Product development increasingly considers end-of-life recyclability, with mono-material designs that simplify recycling processes
Frequently asked questions about HAY
FAQS about HAY
Where is HAY furniture made? HAY furniture is manufactured globally, with production facilities in Denmark, Poland, Italy, China, and other countries. Manufacturing location is selected based on specialized expertise and material availability. All facilities must meet HAY's quality and ethical standards regardless of location.
Is HAY furniture good quality? HAY furniture offers good quality at accessible price points. Construction methods include solid wood frames, high-resilience foam, durable fabrics (typically 100,000+ Martindale rubs), and quality hardware. While not ultra-luxury tier, HAY provides reliable construction suitable for residential and light commercial use with expected lifespans of 10-15 years with proper care.
What is the difference between HAY and other Danish brands like Muuto or &Tradition? HAY, Muuto, and &Tradition all represent contemporary Danish design but with different approaches. HAY emphasises accessible pricing and collaborations with international designers. Muuto focuses on Scandinavian designers and softer, more organic forms. &Tradition combines reissues of classic designs with contemporary pieces. HAY are generally price positioned lower.
Can HAY outdoor furniture stay outside year-round? HAY outdoor furniture is designed for outdoor use, but longevity is maximised by covering or storing during harsh winter conditions. The powder-coated galvanised steel resists corrosion, but extreme temperature fluctuations and moisture can gradually degrade protective coatings. It is important to quickly repaint any scratches in the lacquer using the appropriate repair paint. In mild climates, year-round outdoor placement is acceptable with regular cleaning and maintenance.
Are HAY chairs comfortable for long periods? Comfort varies by model and intended use. The About A Chair series is designed for dining and short-term seating (1-2 hours), with ergonomic shaping but firm support. Upholstered models like the AAC Soft add cushioning for extended comfort. Lounge seating like the Mags sofa features deeper seats (95cm) and softer cushioning suitable for extended relaxation. Office chairs include ergonomic adjustments for all-day use.
How do I choose the right HAY chair for my dining table? Match chair seat height to table height: standard dining tables (74-76cm) require chairs with seat heights of 45-47cm, providing 28-30cm clearance for legs. Consider chair width relative to table size—allow 60cm per person for comfortable spacing. For tables with aprons or crossbars, verify clearance for chair arms if selecting armchairs. Test chairs in person when possible, as comfort preferences vary. We have numerous chairs on display in our Hessle showroom.
What is HAY's warranty policy? HAY provides a 2-year manufacturer's warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal residential use. The warranty does not cover normal wear, damage from misuse, or commercial applications. Warranty claims require proof of purchase and are handled through authorised retailers such as Innes.
HAY & Innes - over 20 years of working in partnership
HAY at Innes
Innes is an authorised HAY retailer, offering a curated selection of HAY furniture and accessories. Our collection includes seating, tables, storage, lighting, and home accessories from HAY's current catalogue. We provide expert guidance on product selection, space planning, and care to ensure you choose the right HAY pieces for your home or project.
Each year, we visit HAY house to meet the HAY team and their designers and view new product launches and line extensions. Sometimes this is at early concept stage so that we can input our thoughts on how it should be developed before it hits the market. Find out more about our 2025 visit to HAY House during 3 Days of Design
Visit our showroom to experience HAY furniture in person, or contact our team for personalised recommendations and availability information.
Subscribe to the Innes mailing list and receive updates on new arrivals, special offers and other information. Get a 15%* discount code to apply to your basket.
Conditions apply*
Credit is offered by Shopify International Ltd. (FRN: 1031087) in partnership with Affirm UK Limited. Shopify International Limited is an Appointed Representative of Affirm U.K. Limited, trading as Affirm, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 756087). Affirm's company number is 10199101 and its registered office is at C/O TMF Group, 1 Angel Court, 13th Floor, London, EC2R 7HJ.
HAY Palissade Chair
HAY Palissade Outdoor Dining Table Rectangular
HAY Palissade Dining Bench
HAY Palissade Ottoman
