Curved Rattan Bench
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Rattan, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches
Metal
2010s Indonesian Other Benches
Fruitwood
2010s Indonesian Other Benches
Fruitwood
Antique 1880s American Victorian Patio and Garden Furniture
Wicker, Reed, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
Rattan
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bamboo, Cane
Vintage 1950s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bamboo, Rattan
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
2010s American Minimalist Benches
Fiberglass
2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Brutalist Benches
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass, Metal
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
2010s Scandinavian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass, Bronze
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Brass
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Oak
2010s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Composition
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs
Bouclé
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s French Benches
Rattan
Vintage 1970s Italian Benches
Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Benches
Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Vintage 1960s American Benches
Rattan, Hickory
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Rattan
Vintage 1970s Danish Benches
Leather, Rattan, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Benches
Rattan, Wood
Late 20th Century Hollywood Regency Benches
Upholstery, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
2010s Stools
Rattan, Wood
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Metal
20th Century French Beaux Arts Settees
Bamboo, Rattan, Resin, Beech
Late 20th Century British Loveseats
Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Italian Benches
Bamboo, Rattan
20th Century French Beaux Arts Benches
Bamboo, Rattan, Resin, Beech
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Rattan
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Benches
Linen, Rattan
Antique 19th Century French French Provincial Benches
1990s Dutch Post-Modern Benches
Wood, Rattan
Early 2000s Stools
Rattan, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary American Organic Modern Settees
Wood, Rattan, Leather, Fabric, Bamboo
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wicker
Antique 19th Century French Benches
Wood, Rattan, Cane
Mid-20th Century Benches
Rattan
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Bamboo
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.
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.