Armless Occasional Chair
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Teak
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21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Aluminum, Metal, Brass
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Armchairs
Metal
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Walnut, Fabric, Bouclé
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Cane, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
Wood, Rope
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Coffee and C...
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Walnut, Leather, Fabric, Faux Leather
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Sofas
Velvet
Recent Sales
20th Century French Lounge Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Modern Side Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Oak, Bentwood
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Bentwood, Oak
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Upholstery, Ash
American Dining Room Chairs
Vintage 1960s Italian Swivel Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Slipper Chairs
Wood, Naugahyde
Vintage 1950s American Patio and Garden Furniture
Wrought Iron
Vintage 1920s American Side Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary American Slipper Chairs
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 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.
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