Carlisle Chair
Late 20th Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
2010s European Modern Club Chairs
Fabric, Wood
20th Century North American Books
Paper
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Chairs
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Chairs
Wood, Paint
Antique Late 18th Century American Federal Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century American Dining Room Chairs
Mahogany
People Also Browsed
2010s Chinese Modern Sofa Tables
Marble
2010s American Modern Table Lamps
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Club Chairs
Cotton, Linen, Wood, Down
2010s Chinese Books
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights a...
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Brass
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Antique 18th Century Other Dinner Plates
Enamel
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Antique 1760s English Chippendale Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
20th Century English Country Sofas
Upholstery, Beech, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Books
Paper
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Bergere Chairs
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.
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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.
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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.
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The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.