Seating
1990s American Folk Art Seating
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Seating
Brass
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Ash
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Metal
Early 2000s Italian Seating
Resin
19th Century English Classical Roman Antique Seating
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Seating
Metal
Late 20th Century French Seating
Leather
1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather
1970s English Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Teak
1970s German Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
19th Century Tribal Antique Seating
Wood
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Seating
Bouclé, Oak
1970s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Seating
Walnut
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Foam
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Aluminum, Chrome
1950s Spanish Colonial Revival Vintage Seating
Leather, Oak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather
1970s European Space Age Vintage Seating
Velvet, Beech
1970s Belgian Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Fabric, Upholstery
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather
Early 20th Century Czech Art Deco Seating
Fabric, Wood
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Nickel
1980s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Metal, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Steel, Chrome
1980s Swiss Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Chrome
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Leather, Oak
1920s English Georgian Vintage Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Industrial Seating
Brass, Iron
2010s Spanish Modern Seating
Ceramic, Earthenware
20th Century Modern Seating
Wood, Paint
20th Century American Modern Seating
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Leather, Fabric
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bouclé
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Seating
Iron, Wrought Iron
1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Seating
Papercord, Teak
1970s Belgian Brutalist Vintage Seating
Oak
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Seating
Wicker, Rattan
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Iron
Early 20th Century Louis XV Seating
Leather, Wood
1890s English Hepplewhite Antique Seating
Fabric, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Seating
Fabric, Hardwood, Foam, Faux Leather, Upholstery, Cotton, Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Seating
Fabric
1960s Swiss Vintage Seating
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Seating
Velvet, Wood
Early 19th Century French Empire Antique Seating
Mahogany
2010s American Modern Seating
Stainless Steel
Unique Chairs, Sofas and Other Seating for Sale on 1stDibs
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.