Art Deco Style Cube Style Ottoman
Late 20th Century European Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
People Also Browsed
2010s African Arts and Crafts Wall Lights and Sconces
Clay, Earthenware
2010s Modern Tables
Hardwood, Oak
2010s French Other Wall Mirrors
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary British Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sco...
Plaster
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Bookcases
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
2010s North American Modern Side Chairs
Hardwood
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Wood, Poplar, Burl
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Steel, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Credenzas
Oak
2010s Mexican Machine Age Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights an...
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights an...
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Metal
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Club Chairs
Leather
20th Century Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Rattan, Wood, Bamboo
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco Ottomans and Poufs
Upholstery, 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 ExpertAugust 15, 2019
Art Deco style furniture appeared right before the start of World War I and is defined by sharp lines, vibrant colors and bold patterns. Heavily influenced by geometry, Art Deco furniture was born out of the Cubism movement.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024In its time, Art Deco went out of style due to shifts in trends. After World War II, designers became more interested in modernism and creating pieces with an emphasis on function and simplicity, a move away from the embellishment and adornment that characterized the Art Deco style. It's important to note that Art Deco never fully disappeared. In fact, many present-day collectors have a passion for pieces produced during the 1920s and ’30s. Shop a large selection of Art Deco furniture on 1stDibs.
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