Kjærholm made a name for himself primarily with his modern steel, leather and glass furniture. Function and clarity became the hallmarks of Kjærholm’s entire career as both an educator and a furniture designer. He did not see himself as someone who designed objects, but rather as someone who created spaces. He often designed furniture with particular places in mind, doing so with a rigor and level of detail that continues to arouse admiration. In his own words, Kjærholm strived to express each material’s own language – whether he was working with steel, leather, glass, wood or wicker.

Kjærholm was an idealist in his field. Throughout his career, he avoided easy solutions and refused to be influenced by shifting fads. He was driven by a desire to realize each material’s intrinsic nature and create harmony between form and material – and often felt there was only one solution to a given problem. He was a demanding teacher guided by perfectionism and discipline, his idealistic approach to design also manifesting itself among his students.