Damask Covered Sofas
Early 20th Century British Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany, Fabric, Upholstery
20th Century Sofas
Fabric
Antique 18th Century American Sofas
Abalone, Fabric, Jute, Cotton, Upholstery, Down
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Pillows and Throws
Polyester, Feathers
Vintage 1960s Italian Living Room Sets
Fabric
People Also Browsed
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Linen
Antique Late 19th Century European Moorish Architectural Elements
Wrought Iron
20th Century English Victorian Sofas
Upholstery, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Hepplewhite Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Foam, Down
Antique Early 19th Century English Chinoiserie Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Wood
20th Century Russian Neoclassical Vases
Malachite, Ormolu
20th Century Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery
Early 20th Century French Louis XIII Wingback Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Daybeds
Iron
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Wall Lights and Sconces
Mirror, Giltwood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Gustavian Armchairs
Beech
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sofas
Brass
2010s Belgian Modern Club Chairs
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Brass
Recent Sales
Antique Mid-19th Century American Sofas
Silk, Damask, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Louis XV Sofas
Fabric, Wood
Early 2000s Italian Modern Sofas
Cotton, Foam, Wood
Antique 1750s English Chippendale Chairs
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary British Victorian Sofas
Fabric
Late 18th Century Old Masters Portrait Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
Mid-20th Century French Sofas
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany
Early 20th Century American Sofas
Wood
Antique 19th Century Regency Sofas
Metal
Antique 19th Century Irish Chippendale Sofas
Mahogany, Upholstery
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Canapes
Brass
Early 20th Century Chaise Longues
Damask
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Pillows and Throws
Polyester, Feathers
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Pillows and Throws
Polyester, Feathers
20th Century French Louis XVI Settees
Beech, Damask
Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Benches
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1980s French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
Damask, Giltwood
Vintage 1920s American Pillows and Throws
Linen
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Armchairs
Oak, Fabric
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Down, Upholstery
20th Century English Sofas
Vintage 1930s American Sofas
Brass
Early 20th Century French Sofas
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Daybeds
Damask, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century French Chaise Longues
Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century American Sofas
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Sofas
Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary American Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary English Sofas
Antique 18th Century and Earlier French Louis XV Sofas
Wood, Fabric, Feathers
Mid-20th Century Living Room Sets
Antique 19th Century Loveseats
Antique 1830s American American Empire Sofas
Polyester, 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.
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.