René Herbst (1891-1982) was a french designer and decorator.

He was especially known for his furniture, which he made from tubular steel in the 1920's. Herbst was among the first designers to use this new material for furniture. One of the most famous examples of his work is the "Sandow's Chair", which he made in 1928. It conveys a minimalistic flair due to the simplicity of the design.

Together with Le Corbusier and Jean Pulifocat he founded the Union des Artistes Modernes, a group of artists and an exhibition platform, which was conceived as a reaction against the excessive decorative Art Deco movement. In autumn 1945, Herbst took over the chairmanship of the UAM, which was renamed "Les Formes Utiles" (Useful forms).

In 1937 Herbst was responsible for the design of the Pavillon de la Publicité at the World Exhibition in Paris.

He died in 1982 at the age of 91.