When it comes to making furniture, we want it to feel sturdy, be functional, and stand the test of time. We also, of course, want it to look good. 

When combined with other essential aspects of furniture design, like functionality and ergonomics, the golden ratio can be a helpful tool for achieving visual harmony and proportion. Its application in furniture design can serve as a guide for creating aesthetically pleasing and balanced designs.

To refresh those of us who maybe slept through high school math, the golden ratio is a mathematical ratio that's been used in art, architecture, and design for centuries. Also known as the divine proportion, it's a ratio of approximately 1:1.6 that occurs naturally in various shapes and forms. We see this ratio in everything from seashells to tree branches, our bodies to the Great Pyramids of Giza. 

When it comes to furniture design, the golden ratio can be used as a guide for determining ideal proportions. For example, a chair or table that's the right height, width, and depth relative to its other dimensions will look more attractive. Similarly, the golden ratio can be used to determine the ideal size and placement of decorative elements such as legs, arms, and stitching.

One of the reasons why the golden ratio works so well in furniture design is that it creates a sense of proportion and balance that's natural and intuitive. When we look at a piece of furniture that's been designed with the golden ratio in mind, we don't have to think about why it looks good–our brains are wired to find harmonious and balanced proportions pleasing.

Another benefit of using the golden ratio in furniture design is that it can help make a space feel more cohesive. When designing furniture ensembles or arranging multiple pieces together, the golden ratio can help establish a pleasing size relationship between different elements. By considering the ratio in determining the scale of individual furniture pieces in relation to one another, you can achieve a sense of coherence and unity in the overall composition.

Finally, it's worth noting that using the golden ratio in furniture design doesn't mean sacrificing functionality or durability. In fact, by paying attention to proportional principles, designers can often create furniture that's more structurally sound and comfortable to use than pieces that are designed without those principles in mind. Ultimately, the golden ratio is just one of many tools that furniture designers can use to create pieces that are both attractive and functional.