Bean Shaped Sofa
Late 20th Century Italian Sofas
Beech
Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Armchairs
Beech
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Murano Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Metal
2010s North American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Leather, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Vintage 1970s French Space Age Architectural Elements
Metal, Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Minimalist Stools
Walnut
2010s French Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Night Stands
Wood
20th Century French Country Barware
Chrome
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s English Modern Sofas
Upholstery
2010s British Minimalist More Mirrors
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Velvet, Wood, Cotton
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
20th Century Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Ultrasuede
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Vintage 1930s Modern Sofas
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Foam
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Oak
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Leather
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Armchairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Glass, Walnut
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric, Velvet
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Walnut, Glass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Glass, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Chenille
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Sofas
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 ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no single best shape of sofa for a living room. To decide which shape is right for your space, consider the layout and the overall style of the room. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of sofas from some of the world's top sellers.
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