Casamania Her Chair
2010s Italian Chairs
Polystyrene
2010s Italian Chairs
Polystyrene
2010s Italian Chairs
Polystyrene
2010s Italian Chairs
Polystyrene
2010s Italian Chairs
Polystyrene
2010s Italian Chairs
Polystyrene
2010s Italian Chairs
Polystyrene
2010s Italian Chairs
Polystyrene
2010s Italian Chairs
Polystyrene
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pillows and Throws
Nylon
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pillows and Throws
Leather
Early 2000s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Plastic
Vintage 1970s British Posters
Paper
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal, Enamel
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary German Romantic Chairs
Wood
Late 20th Century Danish Space Age Chandeliers and Pendants
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Table Lamps
Aluminum, Steel, Brass
2010s Minimalist Corner Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s British Posters
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s British Posters
Paper
1990s German Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Acrylic
2010s Canadian Modern Chairs
Steel
1980s Abstract Abstract Sculptures
Bronze
Recent Sales
Early 2000s Italian Space Age Chairs
Plastic
Early 2000s Italian Space Age Chairs
Plastic
Early 2000s Italian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Plastic
Early 2000s Italian Chairs
Resin
Materials: plastic Furniture
Arguably the world’s most ubiquitous man-made material, plastic has impacted nearly every industry. In contemporary spaces, new and vintage plastic furniture is quite popular and its use pairs well with a range of design styles.
From the Italian lighting artisans at Fontana Arte to venturesome Scandinavian modernists such as Verner Panton, who created groundbreaking interiors as much as he did seating — see his revolutionary Panton chair — to contemporary multidisciplinary artists like Faye Toogood, furniture designers have been pushing the boundaries of plastic forever.
When The Graduate's Mr. McGuire proclaimed, “There’s a great future in plastics,” it was more than a laugh line. The iconic quote is an allusion both to society’s reliance on and its love affair with plastic. Before the material became an integral part of our lives — used in everything from clothing to storage to beauty and beyond — people relied on earthly elements for manufacturing, a process as time-consuming as it was costly.
Soon after American inventor John Wesley Hyatt created celluloid, which could mimic luxury products like tortoiseshell and ivory, production hit fever pitch, and the floodgates opened for others to explore plastic’s full potential. The material altered the history of design — mid-century modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, Joe Colombo and Eero Saarinen regularly experimented with plastics in the development of tables and chairs, and today plastic furnishings and decorative objects are seen as often indoors as they are outside.
Find vintage plastic lounge chairs, outdoor furniture, lighting and more on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right chairs for You
Chairs are an indispensable component of your home and office. Can you imagine your life without the vintage, new or antique chairs you love?
With the exception of rocking chairs, the majority of the seating in our homes today — Windsor chairs, chaise longues, wingback chairs — originated in either England or France. Art Nouveau chairs, the style of which also originated in those regions, embraced the inherent magnificence of the natural world with decorative flourishes and refined designs that blended both curved and geometric contour lines. While craftsmanship and styles have evolved in the past century, chairs have had a singular significance in our lives, no matter what your favorite chair looks like.
“The chair is the piece of furniture that is closest to human beings,” said Hans Wegner. The revered Danish cabinetmaker and furniture designer was prolific, having designed nearly 500 chairs over the course of his lifetime. His beloved designs include the Wishbone chair, the wingback Papa Bear chair and many more.
Other designers of Scandinavian modernist chairs introduced new dynamics to this staple with sculptural flowing lines, curvaceous shapes and efficient functionality. The Paimio armchair, Swan chair and Panton chair are vintage works of Finnish and Danish seating that left an indelible mark on the history of good furniture design.
“What works good is better than what looks good, because what works good lasts,” said Ray Eames.
Visionary polymaths Ray and Charles Eames experimented with bent plywood and fiberglass with the goal of producing affordable furniture for a mass market. Like other celebrated mid-century modern furniture designers of elegant low-profile furnishings — among them Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Finn Juhl — the Eameses considered ergonomic support, durability and cost, all of which should be top of mind when shopping for the perfect chair. The mid-century years yielded many popular chairs.
The Eameses introduced numerous icons for manufacturer Herman Miller, such as the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, molded plywood dining chairs the DCM and DCW (which can be artfully mismatched around your dining table) and a wealth of other treasured pieces for the home and office.
A good chair anchors us to a place and can become an object of timeless appeal. Take a seat and browse the rich variety of vintage, new and antique chairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023To tell if a chair is an Eames chair, take a look under the seat or cushion. Authentic Eames lounge chairs are manufactured by Herman Miller and Vitra. If your Eames chair is a Herman Miller original, look for the legendary manufacturer’s specific logomarks on the product (these logomarks can be found on the company’s official website). There is also the manufacturing label, which is usually found under the seat or cushion (unless a former owner removed it). All of the classic Herman Miller designs are paired with a certificate of authenticity. Some designs may also have a medallion attached to certify their authenticity. You can then check trusted online resources to determine if the information on the label is correct for the style of chair (and more info on its construction is available on the official Eames website). You won’t see screws outside of the wood shells on an authentic Eames lounge chair, and prior to the 1970s, original vintage Eames lounge chairs were made with no more than five layers of plywood (during the 1970s, the chairs were made with seven layers). Find a variety of authentic Eames chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023The difference between a lounge chair and a chair is specificity. A chair is the general term for furniture typically designed to seat one person at a time, and there are many different kinds of chairs, including dining, accent and office chairs. Lounge chairs are another example of a specific type of chair. They are chairs with a footrest that allows you to elevate your feet while sitting. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The difference between a lounge chair and an accent chair pertains to purpose. Typically, a lounge chair is wider and deeper than an accent chair and tends to have a thicker cushion. These stylistic differences owe to the fact that lounge chairs are meant to provide luxurious, comfortable seating for long periods of time, while accent chairs are more often intended to add visual appeal to a living room. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of living room chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023The difference between an occasional chair and an accent chair comes down to usage. An occasional chair is a decorative chair that is placed in a room for its look rather than to function as an everyday seating solution. As a result, occasional chairs may be used infrequently. An accent chair is any decorative chair placed in a seating area. They can be used only occasionally or on a daily basis. Explore a wide variety of chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no difference between a club chair and an armchair; a club chair is a type of armchair. An armchair is any chair with arms, while a club chair is a wide, comfortable type of armchair that is typically clad in leather and features thick upholstery. All club chairs are armchairs, but not all armchairs are club chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of club chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021The difference between a task chair and an executive chair is that most task chairs will have adjustable seat height as well as swivel and tilt functions. Task chairs are lightweight and mobile but are not intended for long periods of continuous use. Executive chairs are meant to be more comfortable and are usually designed with high backrests. An executive chair is intended for long periods of use compared to a task chair, which in some cases may be armless and isn’t going to provide the premium comfort that can be expected from an executive chair. Task chairs are also typically less expensive than executive chairs. Find a variety of antique, modern and contemporary task chairs and executive chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023The difference between an accent chair and a dining chair comes down to function and design. An accent chair usually goes in a seating area, and makers craft them with comfort in mind. As a result, most accent chairs feature cushioning and upholstery and are characterized by generous proportions. The purpose of a dining chair is to provide a place to sit while enjoying a meal. Usually, dining chairs are lighter and smaller than accent chairs for easy maneuvering. While they may have padded seats and backrests, dining chairs generally aren't as abundantly cushioned as accent chairs. Explore a large selection of chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022A club chair is called a club chair because the accent chairs became popular in the interior décor of gentleman's clubs in France. The original name for the club chair is “fauteuil confortable," which translates to "comfortable chair." You'll find a collection of club chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021The difference between an Adirondack chair and a Muskoka chair can be easily explained in that garden armchairs are called Adirondack in the USA and Muskoka in Canada. While they both have short legs, bent reclining seats, wide armrests and high backs, the Adirondack chair is 2 inches higher from the floor and 2 inches wider. The Adirondack chair uses a flat yoke at the back while Muskoka might use curved yokes. Shop for an Adirondack chair or Muskoka chair on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023The difference between a side chair and a Parsons chair is style. A side chair is a very commonly used dining chair. The form of a side chair may vary, but the constant is the lack of armrests to keep hands free for eating and to save space at the table. A Parsons chair is a type of side chair that features upholstery on the seat and back. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who invented the chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 15, 2024No one knows the name of the person who invented the chair. However, anthropologists and archaeologists have traced some of the oldest representations of chairs back to ancient Egypt. The chairs produced around 5,800 years ago featured wood construction with leather or textile upholstery and had seat heights of only around 10 inches. Shop antique and vintage chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a polymer chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A polymer chair is a chair made out of certain types of plastic. The most common materials used to construct polymer chairs are polypropylene and polycarbonate. Generally, polymer chairs are lightweight and durable. On 1stDibs, find a range of chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- What is a Cleopatra chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023A Cleopatra chair is a chair with a U-shaped seat support. Most examples feature wood frames and cushioning. The name comes from the fact that the lines of the chair echo those of the thrones that Ancient Egyptian kings and queens once sat on. Danish designer Hans Frydenal and American furniture maker Fergusson Copeland both created chairs called the Cleopatra. Shop a large selection of chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a Thonet chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024A Thonet chair can be any chair developed by the furniture maker Thonet, which has been manufacturing furniture for more than 180 years. However, most people are referring to one designed by founder Gebrüder Thonet. It features a bentwood frame produced with a patent steam method that Thonet patented and a curved seat. Find a range of Thonet chairs on 1stDibs.
- Why is it called a chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Why the furniture used for seating is called a chair has to do with the history of language. The word comes from the 13th-century English word chaer, which in turn can be traced back to the Latin word cathedra, meaning seat. If that word reminds you of the word cathedral, it's no accident. The word cathedral gets its name from the fact that a cathedral is where the bishop of a parish has his seat. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of chairs.
- Who created the chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024No one knows for sure who made the first chair. Early records have traced the chair's history back to Ancient Europe and suggest that early forms of seating were used as early as 5,800 years ago. These first chairs were usually wood-wrapped in fabric or leather. At just 10 inches high, their seat heights were much lower than those used today. Shop a wide variety of chairs on 1stDibs.
- What are chairs made from?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024Chairs are made from a wide variety of materials. Many chairs feature wood construction, but makers also produce them out of steel, aluminum, stone, resin, acrylic, fiberglass and other materials. Upholstered chairs also feature cushioning made out of things like foam and wool, as well as the outer upholstery, which is often leather or fabric. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of chairs.
- Is a sofa a chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024By the strictest definition, a sofa is not a chair. Generally, a chair is a seating solution for one person. Since a sofa seats more than one person at a time, it usually isn't considered a chair. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary chairs and sofas.
- What is a Chiavari chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024A Chiavari chair is a dining chair with a specific set of characteristics. Usually crafted out of wood, the chair features carvings that give it the jointed look of bamboo. The chair gets its name from Chiavari, Italy, where furniture maker Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi first created the style in 1807. Find a collection of Chiavari chairs on 1stDibs.
- What is a captain’s chair for?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Today, a captain's chair is typically used for providing seating at a kitchen or dining table. The name of the chair comes from the fact that furniture of this type once provided seating for a ship's officers in lounge areas. Shop a large collection of captain's chairs on 1stDibs.
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.