Yrjö Ilmari Tapiovaara (September 7, 1914 – January 31, 1999) was a Finnish designer noted for his furnishings and textiles.

In World War II, Tapiovaara designed dugouts and field furniture to the Finnish Army, a challenging task given that only local wood and simple tools could be used, and no nails or screws were available.

After this he would do work in Paraguay and Mauritius on behalf of a United Nations development program.

[2] He did much of his work for universities, schools, and also did a "Root Table" for the Finnish army.

[3] Furniture designs based on his sketches continued to be produced into the twenty-first century.