Thrush Seat Chairs
Vintage 1960s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1950s American Queen Anne Armchairs
Cotton, Wood, Upholstery
People Also Browsed
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Sofas
Leather
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Other
Vintage 1980s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Vintage 1980s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Upholstery
Antique 1880s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
20th Century British Sofas
Cowhide
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather, Mahogany
Antique 1880s Spanish Rococo Paintings
Canvas, Giltwood
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
20th Century English Country Loveseats
Upholstery, Beech
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Metal, Iron
1990s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Leather
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Walnut
Antique 19th Century American Chairs
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 are rush seats on chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Rush seats are chairs where the seating part is woven out of long, grass-like vegetation. After the material dries, the makers weave it to make a strong surface for sitting. Shop antique rush chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023Whether cane chairs are comfortable is largely a matter of personal opinion. Designs vary widely, but pieces with upholstered seats may provide plusher support. On 1stDibs, find a variety of cane chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021To cane a chair, it will cost around $50 for the sheet and materials. If your chair has holes around the edges and it is an older piece, thin cane strands can be used to recane it. A professional will charge roughly $2 per hole, resulting in a chair costing approximately $350. Find cane furniture today on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023A good seat height for an accent chair is around 16 inches. However, you should also consider the height of the other seating furniture, like a sofa or a loveseat, in your space. Generally, an accent chair's seat should be no more than 4 inches higher or lower than the seats on adjacent furniture to maintain a balanced look and allow for easy conversation in seating areas. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of accent chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You can cord a Hans Wegner peacock chair in a number of ways. Traditionally, the chair featured an over-under weave created by first wrapping the seat with vertical pairs of cord running from the back to the front. Then, artisans worked horizontally, pulling the cord through the vertical pairs. However, you can find many other patterns to try online. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Hans Wegner peacock chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Sgabello is the name of the Renaissance stool or simple chair with a wooden back and an octagon-shaped seat. Normally, these wood furnishings showed off ornate carvings. They remained popular throughout Europe through the end of the 17th century. On 1stDibs, find a variety of sgabello chairs.
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.