A Designer’s Review of the Metallbude TAVIR Lowboard: Style, Function, and Feel
I’m writing today from a soft corner of my living room, where one of my newest (and most beloved) furniture pieces now sits - and I simply must share the story, the feel, the little joyful details of it. I am talking about the Lowboard TAVIR from Metallbude, a brand that I admire for its clear design and craftsmanship, and a piece that has truly elevated my space. Would you like to see it?
A little background on the brand
Metallbude is a German brand, based in Detmold, with a mission to revive craftsmanship and combine it with modern design. Their furniture is “designed, developed and produced” by them, and their philosophy stresses timeless aesthetics, durable materials, and sustainability. The pieces are solid, thoughtfully made, with integrity behind the look. For someone like me - who cares about sensory, tactile, and meaningful design - the decision to go with them felt aligned.
Why the TAVIR stood out
Here are the specific details that drew me in:
The lowboard is made of sheet steel and comes with a fine-structured powder coating. That means the surface has this subtle texture and durability - so it’s not just “pretty” but built to live with for life.
Its dimensions (180 x 40 x 52 cm) give it presence without overpowering. It’s wide and grounded but keeps the proportions light.
The design: Tavir is minimalist with a subtle retro touch with rounded corners, asymmetrical compartments - all in an open structure. I love how the mix of clean and slight vintage cues gives it soul. The compartments are open yet balanced—ideal for styling!
Color choices: I opted for Cashew, though it’s also available in Black and White. The warm neutral nutty tone fits beautifully into my home palette. The Cashew feels soft yet strong, modern and - even though it’s metal - the color makes the piece feel warm.
No assembly required. Yes: it arrives ready to stand. (Hooray.) The lowboard also has felt glides included so that the floor is protected.
The functional side: a load capacity of 50 kg, a structure that supports a TV/gaming/music system but also decorative objects.
How it fits into our home
As many of you know, I’m drawn to a sensory, warm, European/Scandi-inspired interior with personality rather than clutter. This strong yet understated lowboard gives me a platform to build around. Here’s how I made it work:
I placed it in our living room along an empty wall where the sofa originally was (the sofa was moved to the opposite wall). It anchors the space and gives a visual “base” to the soft furnishings and decor, but also provides a nice focal point upon entering the space. (I’ll put our television over it later, after I’ve painted the wall since I don’t plan to keep it white.)
I styled the top with a handful of art books, ceramics, a favorite large lamp and a vase with branches collected from the nearby forest.
The open compartments are perfect for books and magazines, so functionality is met with style.
Because it’s sheet steel and powder coated, it reflects light softly and contrasts beautifully with my large jute rug, wool throws, and my vintage Eames chair. The warm-neutral Cashew tone ties in so beautifully to my space! So elegant.
What I feel when I see it
Let me share a few small of my vibes - how it makes me feel - as this is a big part of why I keep pieces in my home for years and years:
A sense of calm: The clean, minimal lines let the eye rest. When I enter the room in the evening and see the silhouette of the board, I feel peaceful. I often light the candle and relax on the nearby sofa to read and sip my tea, while listening to soothing music.
Confidence in the material: Knowing it’s metal, robust, manufactured with care, gives me good feeling - it’s not cheap, not fleeting.
Joy in styling: Because the piece is so well designed, everything I put near or on it looks elevated. It’s like a stage for moments and memories. I can PLAY with this piece a lot!
A subtle luxury: It doesn’t scream “look at me,” but once you notice the quality - the powder coating, the construction - you know it’s a great piece. That appeals to me - it’s understated and elegant.
A home feel: It’s not cold industrial. The warmth of the color, the touch of the metal, the way it interacts with everything around it - it all gives a sense of ‘home’ rather than showroom.
Why, as an Interior Designer, I’d recommend it
If you’re considering a piece like this, here’s why I believe the TAVIR from Metallbude is worth it:
You’re after longevity: This is not trend furniture. It’s built to last - both in material and in style.
You value craftsmanship and transparency: Knowing the brand designs and produces themselves, in Germany, appeals if you care about where things come from.
You want something that anchors a space: If you need a strong base piece around which to build your room, this works beautifully.
You have a curated aesthetic: If your palette is soft, warm, tactile, and layered - this lowboard will enhance it rather than compete.
You like styling freedom: The open compartments mean you can mix use - media, decor, books, records - and the neutral color means it blends with both bold accents and muted tones. It fits a broad range of interior styles, too.
A few things to bear in mind
It weighs 65 kg (so shifting it later will need help).
It arrives on a palette in one piece, so you’ll need 2-3 strong men to carry it into your home. Hire help like we did, it was worth it!
Delivery time is 6–8 weeks according to the site, so it’s good to plan ahead.
While the board is designed for heavy everyday use (TV’s etc), it is not meant for extremely heavy industrial loads.
Cable management: the open design is lovely, but you may need to think about how you hide cables if you’re using it for multiple electronic devices. (We’ll add a small cable box behind the board when the time comes.)
Final thoughts
In my journey of creating spaces that feel like home, this lowboard has become more than another piece of furniture - it makes me feel more organized and that I have (finally) a space to play with arrangements and have fun in this room. Before, I didn’t have a space to show my favorite books and ceramic pieces. It speaks to my style, supports our living, and brings a calm confidence to the room. Every time I see it, and I feel proud of my beautiful room and so much more in love with the space, I’m reminded that great design is more than appearance - it’s how something makes you feel.
If you’re on the fence, or seeking a piece that marries form + function + heart, I wholeheartedly recommend the Lowboard TAVIR from Metallbude. It might just become one of the pieces you smile at every time you walk in the room like I do.
Love,
Holly
(Photography + Styling: Holly Becker)
Werbung/Advertisement. This post was sponsored by Metallbude, however the review and all opinions are my own.