Modernist Upholstered
2010s German Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Zebra Hide
Vintage 1940s Italian Benches
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Other Shelves
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s German Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Beech
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Cane, Plywood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Cane, Plywood, Velvet
Early 20th Century Spanish Art Deco Benches
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches
Steel, Chrome
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Stools
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s Italian Chaise Longues
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Bentwood
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Bentwood
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Stools
Brass, Steel
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
1990s Modern Settees
Leather
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Bentwood
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Bentwood
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1980s American Sofas
Bouclé
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1980s American Modern Benches
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
20th Century European Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1970s French Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Oak
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1940s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Bouclé, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
2010s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery, Bentwood
Early 20th Century French Lounge Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bouclé, Upholstery, Bentwood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Wood
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Bouclé, Walnut
Vintage 1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Early 2000s Art Deco Benches
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century French Modern Armchairs
Oak
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Modernist Upholstered For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Modernist Upholstered?
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.