Nelson Day Bed
Early 20th Century English Charles II Settees
Tapestry, Velvet
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Antique Mid-19th Century German Louis XVI Porcelain
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Marble
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Aluminum
2010s Belgian Modern Coat Racks and Stands
Brass, Iron
Antique Late 19th Century European Renaissance Revival Benches
Oak
20th Century Empire Armchairs
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Sheepskin
Antique 19th Century Bathroom Fixtures
Carrara Marble
Antique Late 19th Century French Renaissance Side Tables
Marble, Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century European Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
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Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Wardrobes and Armoires
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Vintage 1960s Post-Modern Side Tables
Plaster
20th Century English Victorian Sideboards
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Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
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Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Jade, 18k Gold, Bronze
2010s French Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Lapis Lazuli
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Vintage 1950s American Daybeds
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
20th Century American Beds and Bed Frames
Metal
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Stainless Steel
This is a reproduction.
Vintage 1960s American Daybeds
Chrome
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
1940s American Modern Figurative Prints
Lithograph
1940s American Modern Figurative Prints
Lithograph
20th Century French Busts
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
20th Century Danish Daybeds
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Vintage 1940s American Daybeds
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
Fabric, Foam
Vintage 1950s American Daybeds
Metal
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.
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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.