Bakelite Arm Chairs
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Early 20th Century Unknown Bauhaus Armchairs
Chrome
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21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Plastic
Vintage 1950s British Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Windsor Chairs
Maple
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Late 20th Century Danish Space Age Chairs
Fabric, Plastic
Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Dry Bars
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s German Dining Room Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome, Metal
Vintage 1940s American Adirondack Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American American Craftsman Club Chairs
Fur, Leather
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1930s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Late 20th Century Macedonian Bauhaus Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
Vintage 1970s English Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Dutch Bauhaus Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1930s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Dutch Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1930s French Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Dutch Lounge Chairs
Sheet Metal
Vintage 1930s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1930s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1940s French Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Floor Lamps
Vintage 1930s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Armchairs
Chrome, Steel
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Models and Miniatures
Steel
Vintage 1920s English George I Armchairs
Mahogany
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Chairs with arms are called armchairs, and there are many styles of them. Examples include club, wingback and roll arm chairs. Find a collection of armchairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A chair with arms is an armchair.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no difference between a club chair and an armchair; a club chair is a type of armchair. An armchair is any chair with arms, while a club chair is a wide, comfortable type of armchair that is typically clad in leather and features thick upholstery. All club chairs are armchairs, but not all armchairs are club chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of club chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023An accent chair with no arms is typically called a slipper chair. These upholstered chairs originated in Europe during the 18th century and often served as seating in bedrooms. Today, people place slipper chairs in seating areas as well as bedrooms. Find a variety of slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dining room chairs with arms are simply called armchairs. They are not to be confused with armchairs used in seating areas. A dining chair without arms is a side chair. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Dining chairs without arms are called side chairs. Their counterpart, the armchair, is often found at the head of the table, with the side chairs filling in the seats along the side of the table. Shop a collection of side chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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