Alvar Aalto Chaise Lounge
20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Wool, Bentwood
Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chaise Longues
Leather, Beech
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Chaise Longues
Mirror, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Chrome
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century Books
Paper
People Also Browsed
2010s French Modern Chairs
Oak
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Canvas, Beech
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Beech, Plywood, Leather
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Bentwood
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Wood
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Steel
20th Century Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Fur, Fabric, Wood, Pine
Early 20th Century French Empire Center Tables
Malachite, Ormolu
Vintage 1960s Italian Aesthetic Movement Canapes
Stainless Steel
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Chaise Longues
Beech
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Bentwood
Vintage 1930s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chaise Longues
Birch
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chaise Longues
Jute, Birch
Vintage 1940s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Chaise Longues
Jute, Birch
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Wood, Birch, Fabric
Vintage 1940s Swedish Chaise Longues
Birch, Canvas
Early 20th Century Finnish Chaise Longues
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Fabric, Bouclé, Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Metal
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Chaise Longues
Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Birch
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Teak, Fabric
Vintage 1930s Finnish Organic Modern Chaise Longues
Fabric, Birch
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chaise Longues
Teak
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Fabric, Upholstery
Vintage 1930s Finnish Organic Modern Armchairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper
Mid-20th Century Finnish Scandinavian Modern Chaise Longues
Birch
20th Century Chaise Longues
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Bentwood
20th Century Chaise Longues
20th Century Chaise Longues
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Leather, Bentwood
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Bentwood, Leather
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Leather, Bentwood
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Leather, Bentwood
Vintage 1970s British Bauhaus Chaise Longues
Birch
Vintage 1970s British Bauhaus Chaise Longues
Birch
Vintage 1970s British Bauhaus Chaise Longues
Sheepskin, Birch
Vintage 1970s British Bauhaus Chaise Longues
Sheepskin, Birch
20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Bergere Chairs
Birch
Vintage 1930s English Organic Modern Chaise Longues
Birch
20th Century Bergere Chairs
Birch
Finding the Right seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.