Midcentury Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chenille, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Teak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Cotton, Oak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Elm
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Faux Leather
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Bronze
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Swedish Lounge Chairs
Pine
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Cocobolo, Leather, Rosewood
20th Century Italian Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Nickel
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Elm, Wool
Mid-20th Century Swedish Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood, Wool
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Faux Leather, Plywood
Vintage 1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
2010s Asian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak, Leather
2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Oak
2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak, Leather
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Beech, Mohair
Vintage 1930s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Mohair, Beech
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Brass
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Midcentury Lounge Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Midcentury Lounge Chairs?
A Close Look at Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Finding the Right lounge-chairs for You
While this specific seating is known to all for its comfort and familiar form, the history of how your favorite antique or vintage lounge chair came to be is slightly more ambiguous.
Although there are rare armchairs dating back as far as the 17th century, some believe that the origins of the first official “lounge chair” are tied to Hungarian modernist designer-architect Marcel Breuer. Sure, Breuer wasn’t exactly reinventing the wheel when he introduced the Wassily lounge chair in 1925, but his seat was indeed revolutionary for its integration of bent tubular steel.
Officially, a lounge chair is simply defined as a “comfortable armchair,” which allows for the shape and material of the furnishings to be extremely diverse. Whether or not chaise longues make the cut for this category is a matter of frequent debate.
The Eames lounge chair, on the other hand, has come to define somewhat of a universal perception of what a lounge chair can be. Introduced in 1956, the Eames lounger (and its partner in cozy, the ottoman) quickly became staples in television shows, prestigious office buildings and sumptuous living rooms. Venerable American mid-century modern designers Charles and Ray Eames intended for it to be the peak of luxury, which they knew meant taking furniture to the next level of style and comfort. Their chair inspired many modern interpretations of the lounge — as well as numerous copies.
On 1stDibs, find a broad range of unique lounge chairs that includes everything from antique Victorian-era seating to vintage mid-century modern lounge chairs by craftspersons such as Hans Wegner to contemporary choices from today’s innovative designers.
- What is a lounge chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 29, 2024A lounge chair is a type of recliner that is often accompanied by an ottoman as a footrest. It’s merely a comfortable armchair, and the shapes of lounge chairs as well as the materials used to make this kind of seat are extremely diverse. Whether or not chaise longues make the cut for this category is a matter of frequent debate.
Similar to recliners, there are many styles of lounge chairs. On 1stDibs, find a broad range of unique lounge chairs that includes everything from antique Victorian-era seating to vintage mid-century modern lounge chairs by craftspersons such as Hans Wegner to contemporary choices from today’s innovative designers. - 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.
- What is a chaise lounge chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A chaise longue chair — or “chaise lounge,” as it is sometimes called in America — is a reclining upholstered sofa that is long enough to support one's legs. A comfortable common ground between sofas and daybeds, early iterations of chaise longues were discovered in Ancient Egypt and were later frequently used in both Greece and Rome. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary chaise lounge chairs from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What are lounge chairs called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are a variety of names that a lounge chair can be called, like chaise, daybed and settee to name a few. Lounge chairs add a classic touch to any décor. You can shop a collection of lounge chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What makes a lounge chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Not allowing for deviation, a lounge chair is defined as an armless recliner that is paired with an ottoman and designed for relaxing. It is not a reclining chair and it is not an armchair. This is an interesting category where it’s more about the purpose of the chair than the actual design when you get down to it. Shop a collection of lounge chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- How long is a lounge chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024How long a lounge chair is varies. However, they are generally longer than other types of chairs to accommodate a user's feet in an outstretched position. Most lounge chairs are between 73 and 80 inches long. Shop a diverse assortment of lounge chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a sling lounge chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A sling lounge chair is a chair formed of metal or wooden frame to which a piece of flexible material is loosely fitted. It is used to relax while the sitter remains engaged in an activity such as reading a book or having a conversation. Find a variety of vintage and antique sling lounge chairs on 1stDibs.
- Are lounge chairs comfortable?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Whether lounge chairs are comfortable or not is a matter of personal opinion. However, providing a comfortable place to sit is the main function of a lounge chair. After all, the addition of the footrest makes it possible to kick up your feet and relax. Many makers design lounge chairs with comfort in mind, adding features like cushioning and/or ergonomic backrests and seats. Explore a wide variety of lounge chairs on 1stDibs.
- 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, 2023A fancy lounge chair is sometimes called a chaise lounge. This type of chair has an elongated shape that supports the sitters legs as well as their upper bodies. The name is French and translates to "long chair." On 1stDibs, shop a collection of chaise lounges from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023An indoor lounge chair is sometimes called a chaise longue. However, some people refer to chairs that allow you to elevate your feet while you sit as "lounge chairs," regardless of whether they are indoors or outdoors. Chaise longues differ from recliners, which have moving footrests that can be raised and lowered. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of vintage lounge chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023Bedroom lounge chairs are sometimes called chaise longues. The name is French for “long chair” and generally refers to a chair with the length of a sofa and the shape of a chair. It's also acceptable to refer to them simply as lounge chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of lounge chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023What a Victorian lounge chair is called depends on its style. A piece that is long and narrow and has a raised headrest on one end and a lower backrest on the other is a fainting couch. Upholstered chairs that have long, extended seats meant for reclining are chaise longues. Find a collection of lounge chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, the Eames lounge chair is ergonomic. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman are created with molded plywood and leather designed to curve to the human form. The Eames lounge chair is a highly coveted furniture item by both home décor enthusiasts and vintage collectors alike. Shop a selection of Eames lounge chairs on reputable sites, such as 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023Opinions vary about what the most comfortable lounge chair in the world is. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to seating. Generally, lounge chairs that feature cushioning and have ergonomic designs that fit the curves of the human body are comfortable options. One iconic example is the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, which its creators, Charles and Ray Eames, designed to serve as "a special refuge from the strains of modern living." On 1stDibs, find a large collection of lounge chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023Although opinions may vary, the most famous lounge chair in the world is arguably the Eames lounge chair. Charles and Ray Eames designed the chair and unveiled it in 1956. The couple famously called their lounge chair and ottoman "a special refuge from the strains of modern living” and described their design as having the "warm receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt." Its design includes a bentwood frame and an upholstered shape topped off with supple leather. Find vintage Eames lounge chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, you can use a lounge chair in a living room. In fact, the chairs are especially well-suited to use in living rooms. After all, the purpose of a lounge chair is to allow you to lean back and relax, and many people retire to their living rooms to unwind at the end of the day. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of antique and vintage lounge chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Many people call a lounge chair for the living room a chaise longue, meaning "long chair” in French. It's also perfectly acceptable to call a living room chair a lounge chair, as the term doesn't only apply to outdoor furniture. Find a wide variety of lounge chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021The best Eames lounge chair reproduction is really a matter of preference. Herman Miller and Vitra currently manufacture the Eames lounge chair and ottoman. On 1stDibs, find a variety of vintage Eames lounge chairs as well as a collection of other seating designed by Charles and Ray Eames.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In order to repair a Bertoia lounge chair, it is recommended to take your furniture to a licensed, experienced repair shop to avoid damaging your Bertoia further. The Knoll website also has tips and tricks for general maintenance. Shop a collection of properly vetted Bertoia chairs from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
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