Seating
2010s Chinese Minimalist Seating
Velvet
1970s American Chinese Chippendale Vintage Seating
Wood, Faux Bamboo
2010s Brazilian Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
1930s Dutch Arts and Crafts Vintage Seating
Velvet, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Seating
Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Jacobean Seating
Wood
2010s Brazilian Seating
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s Brazilian Seating
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Seating
Bouclé, Wood
2010s British Seating
Oak, Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Seating
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating
Bouclé
1890s French Antique Seating
Walnut
2010s American Modern Seating
Steel
2010s Australian Seating
Sheepskin
2010s Italian Modern Seating
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary European Scandinavian Modern Seating
Upholstery, Wood
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Leather
2010s Brazilian Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s Romanian Rustic Seating
Wood
1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Walnut
2010s South African Modern Seating
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern Seating
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Seating
Hide, Ash
1950s Italian Vintage Seating
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Wood, Cedar
Late 20th Century American Modern Seating
Bouclé
1940s Dutch Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Seating
Sapele Wood, Upholstery
2010s Danish Seating
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak, Walnut
2010s Brazilian Seating
Upholstery, Teak
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Metal
18th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Tapestry, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Seating
Steel
Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather, Beech
19th Century French Louis XV Antique Seating
Giltwood
2010s Brazilian Seating
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Seating
Velvet, Wood
17th Century Spanish Rustic Antique Seating
Wood
2010s Brazilian Modern Seating
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Laminate, Hardwood
2010s Italian Seating
Other
2010s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Aluminum
2010s Mexican Minimalist Seating
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Seating
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Seating
Hardwood, Ash, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Seating
Beech
1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Seating
Brass
1970s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Seating
Bamboo
19th Century Italian Louis XV Antique Seating
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Seating
Plastic
2010s Seating
Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Seating
Leather
1930s Czech Art Deco Vintage Seating
Beech, Plywood
2010s Brazilian Seating
Upholstery, Teak
2010s American Organic Modern Seating
Wool
2010s North American Mid-Century Modern Seating
Oak, Walnut, Maple, Ash
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.