Sheepskin Barrel Chair
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass
2010s North American Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Mohair, Wool, Beech
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2010s American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Bouclé, Oak
2010s North American Modern Side Chairs
Hardwood
2010s Italian Modern Chaise Longues
Leather, Ash
2010s Italian Wardrobes and Armoires
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Oak, Silk, Velvet
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary South American Minimalist Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Stools
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Blown Glass
2010s British Minimalist More Mirrors
Stainless Steel
2010s American Modern Benches
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Stainless Steel
2010s Mexican Brutalist Dining Room Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Leather, Bouclé, Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Wool, Oak
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Wool, Beech
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Vintage 1950s European Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin
Vintage 1950s European Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin
20th Century Armchairs
Sheepskin, Wood
Late 20th Century North American Armchairs
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood, Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Lounge Chairs
Cowhide, Walnut
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Bouclé
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Swivel Chairs
Upholstery
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Polyester
Vintage 1930s Chairs
Zebra Hide
20th Century American Club Chairs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Club Chairs
Vintage 1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Mohair, Beech
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s European Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Dutch Club Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Club Chairs
Canvas, Sheepskin
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.
- What is a barrel chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Barrel chairs are accent chairs that feature a curved back shaped like half of a barrel. In some cases, the back slopes down at the sides to form arms. Other pieces are armless or have separate rolled arms at the sides. You'll find a variety of barrel chairs on 1stDibs.
- What are barrel chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 16, 2019
Barrel chairs have high, semicircular backs which form a single piece with the arms.
- What era are barrel chairs from?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The earliest barrel chairs are from is the era of the early 19th century. However, Frank Lloyd Wright created one of the most famous barrel chairs in 1937 as a part of his design for Wingspread, a home in Wind Point, Wisconsin. On 1stDibs, find a collection of barrel chairs.
- Who invented the barrel chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023No one knows who invented the barrel chair originally, or even where the chairs appeared first. They became popular during the mid to late 19th century, but it was Frank Lloyd Wright who made them famous when he designed an iconic version for Wingspread, a home he designed in Wind Point, Wisconsin. Wright also used his Taliesin Barrel chair to furnish his own home in Wisconsin. Shop a selection of barrel chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Reupholster a barrel back chair by first removing the old upholstery from the chair. Use the old pieces of material as a guide to help you cut the new upholstery into properly sized pieces. Reupholster the chair by using a furniture stapler to re-secure the new upholstery in the same manner that the old upholstery was attached. Shop a range of vintage and contemporary barrel back chairs on 1stDibs.
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