Armless Dining Bench
2010s American Modern Benches
Maple
20th Century French French Provincial Benches
Wood, Hardwood
2010s American Modern Sofas
Mahogany
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel
2010s American Modern Stools
Leather, Cherry
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s American Primitive Console Tables
Reclaimed Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary French Brutalist Night Stands
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Brass, Steel
2010s American Streamlined Moderne Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Organic Modern Chandeliers and Pen...
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Stools
Tapestry
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024How long a bench for a dining table should be depends on the length of the table. Generally, a dining bench should be equal in length, or 1 or 2 inches shorter, than the length of the side of the dining table where you intend to place it. For example, if your rectangular dining table is 60 inches long, benches that are 58 to 60 inches long would work well. Shop a wide range of dining room furniture on 1stDibs.
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