Plastic Pod Chair
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Faux Leather, Plastic
Late 20th Century Italian Chairs
Chrome
Late 20th Century Italian Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Rattan
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Wicker
21st Century and Contemporary Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Stainless Steel
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Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Nickel, Steel
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal, Steel
2010s Finnish Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Carrara Marble, Aluminum
Vintage 1970s French Space Age Sideboards
Fiberglass
2010s Canadian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Late 20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century German Space Age Chairs
Velvet, Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Austrian Space Age More Lighting
Plastic
2010s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary European Scandinavian Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut, Fabric
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Vintage 1970s Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Lucite
Mid-20th Century French Club Chairs
Velvet, Plastic
Late 20th Century French Space Age Armchairs
Lucite
Vintage 1970s French Space Age Armchairs
Bouclé, Acrylic
Vintage 1960s European Brutalist Patio and Garden Furniture
Concrete
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Acrylic
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Plastic, Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century French Lounge Chairs
Faux Leather, Acrylic
Vintage 1960s German Space Age Patio and Garden Furniture
Fabric, Plastic
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Plastic, Wood
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
20th Century Italian Dining Room Chairs
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Chrome
1990s Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Chairs
Brass
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 plastic is used for chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A common plastic used in chairs is thermoplastic polypropylene injected into a mold. Because of its strength and durability, thermoplastic polypropylene is a great material and it doesn't present the risk of breaking or a furnishing losing its shape. This type of plastic is good for chairs that might undergo heavy wear.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The world first saw plastic lawn chairs in 1965. Designed by Joe Colombo, the chair was called the Universale, and was defined by its blocky appearance. Find a variety of styles of plastic lawn chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022One of the first places to check when determining the authenticity of your Eames chair, is the underside. Nearly all chairs were marked or labeled. Shop a collection of Eames chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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