Brown Silk Damask Sofa
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Sofas
Silk, Giltwood
Vintage 1930s Danish Scandinavian Modern Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Living Room Sets
Hardwood, Upholstery
Antique Late 19th Century French Living Room Sets
Walnut
Antique 1770s French Louis XV Canapes
Damask, Silk, Wood
20th Century American Loveseats
Silk, Wood
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Settees
Silk, Mahogany, Giltwood
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Brass
Vintage 1950s French Hollywood Regency Crystal Serveware
Crystal
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Doors and Gates
Wood
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Glass
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary American Tribal Pillows and Throws
Feathers, Hemp, Raffia
Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Living Room Sets
Silk, Giltwood
Antique 1880s Victorian Armchairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Living Room Sets
Silk, Wood
Antique 17th Century Belgian Baroque Tapestries
Tapestry, Wool
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Armchairs
Fabric, Giltwood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Beds and Bed Frames
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Teak
Antique Mid-19th Century French Neoclassical Planters and Jardinieres
Brass, Bronze
2010s American Sofas
Upholstery
Early 20th Century English Trunks and Luggage
Leather
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Antique 19th Century French Sofas
Upholstery, Giltwood
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Empire Sofas
Damask, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Living Room Sets
Walnut
Antique 1750s English Chippendale Chairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Sofas
Damask
Early 2000s American Sofas
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Early 2000s American Sofas
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Antique 1860s Aesthetic Movement Sofas
Wood
2010s Italian Sofas
Silk
Vintage 1960s Danish Sofas
Rosewood, Cane, Silk, Damask, Upholstery
20th Century Great Britain (UK) George II Sofas
Damask, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century English George III Sofas
Damask, Mahogany
Antique 1780s American Chippendale Sofas
Silk, Mahogany
Antique Late 19th Century Great Britain (UK) Sofas
Silk, Hardwood
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Sofas
Silk, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Sofas
Wood
Early 20th Century British Sofas
Cane, Beech
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Living Room Sets
Hardwood, Silk
Antique Mid-19th Century English Louis XV Settees
Damask, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XV Canapes
Fabric, Fruitwood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Belgian Pillows and Throws
Silk, Damask
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Armchairs
Oak, Fabric
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Sofas
Upholstery, Wood, Beech, Down, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary English Louis XV Sofas
Giltwood, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Daybeds
Damask, Wood, Paint
Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Armchairs
Silk, Mahogany
Late 20th Century American Egyptian Revival Armchairs
Fabric, Walnut, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century English Sofas
Mahogany
Antique 1890s Victorian Settees
Mahogany
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.
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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.