The Heywood-Wakefield Company was established in 1897 through the merger of two prominent furniture makers: Heywood Brothers & Co., founded in 1826 in Gardner, Massachusetts, and Wakefield Rattan Company, established in 1855 in Boston. Both companies were pioneers in crafting wicker and rattan furniture during the late 19th century, serving a growing demand for stylish, durable home furnishings.

With the merger, Heywood-Wakefield became a leading manufacturer of innovative furniture, expanding from wicker and rattan into solid wood products. In the 1930s and 1940s, the company gained widespread acclaim for its Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern designs. Its signature pieces, crafted from maple and birch with smooth, rounded edges and sleek lines, became icons of American modernist design.

Heywood-Wakefield’s popularity peaked in the post-World War II era when its functional, modernist styles matched the aesthetic of the booming American suburbs. Though its prominence waned by the late 20th century, its vintage furniture remains highly collectible today, celebrated for its timeless design and craftsmanship.

The brand has experienced a resurgence in recent decades, with modern reproductions of its classic designs still produced under the Heywood-Wakefield name.