Asymmetrical Slipper Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Slipper Chairs
Metal, Metallic Thread
1990s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Side Chairs
Beech
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Cut Steel
1990s American Post-Modern Settees
Bouclé, Upholstery
People Also Browsed
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Art Nouveau Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
2010s Modern Tables
Hardwood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Wall Lights and Sconces
Metal, Brass, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary American Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Metal
2010s American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass
2010s North American Modern Night Stands
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Polyester
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Naugahyde, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Wool, Walnut
2010s American Dining Room Tables
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Organic Modern Chandeliers and ...
Copper, Brass
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Oak
Recent Sales
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Slipper Chairs
Silk
20th Century American Art Deco Slipper Chairs
20th Century Slipper Chairs
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Slipper Chairs
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1940s Hollywood Regency Slipper Chairs
Upholstery
Antique 19th Century French Slipper Chairs
Early 20th Century American Slipper Chairs
Velvet, Wood, Cotton
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 ExpertSeptember 28, 2021Slipper chairs were used by women from royal families as well as by members of society’s upper class. They would sit on these chairs placed in their bedrooms while domestic servants helped them put on the shoes. Now the slipper chair is a medium to large upholstered occasional chair that lacks arms and sits low to the ground. It is a very common piece of furniture to have. 1stDibs offers a collection of slipper chairs to choose from.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Victorian slipper chair is a chair that was made to be shorter than the average chair. The height of its seat was 15 inches from the floor, compared to the standard 17 to 18 inches. Shop a collection of Victorian slipper chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a slipper accent chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A slipper chair is a chair that sits low to the ground and has no arms. They’re traditionally used as accent pieces or additional seating options. Most slipper chairs are not part of a set of furniture but are purchased separately. Find an assortment of slipper chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The slipper chair originated in 18th century Europe. It was used in women’s bedrooms as seating for when maids would assist them in putting on their slippers. Today, a slipper chair refers to a low-slung chair. Browse a selection of modern and antique slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.