Designer Arm Chair
1990s Italian Modern Armchairs
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage 1920s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Beech
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Pine
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Birch, Wool
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
Birch
2010s Renaissance Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
2010s Chippendale Wingback Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
2010s British Modern Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1980s Danish Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1930s German Bauhaus Lounge Chairs
Teak, Papercord
20th Century French Art Deco Chairs
Fabric, Mahogany
2010s American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Sheepskin, Wood, Oak
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Steel, Nickel
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Club Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Suede, Teak
2010s American Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Birch, Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Sheepskin, Bouclé, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bauhaus Chairs
Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Bauhaus Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Side Chairs
Wood, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bauhaus Chairs
Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bauhaus Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1960s Indian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Cane, Teak
Vintage 1970s Ecuadorean Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Laminate, Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Wicker, Rattan
Antique Mid-19th Century German Black Forest Chairs
Antler, Wood
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Wingback Chairs
Wood, Oak
Vintage 1960s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Wood, Leather
1990s Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Rattan
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chairs
Plastic
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Rocking Chairs
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1940s American Lounge Chairs
Rattan
2010s Danish Lounge Chairs
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Iron
Early 2000s Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Rattan
2010s American Modern Dining Room Chairs
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Maple
20th Century American Modern Side Chairs
Wood, Teak
Vintage 1930s American Lounge Chairs
Rattan
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Designer Arm Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Designer Arm Chair?
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 ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A chair with arms is an armchair.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Chairs with arms are called armchairs, and there are many styles of them. Examples include club, wingback and roll arm chairs. Find a collection of armchairs on 1stDibs today.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There is no difference between a club chair and an armchair; a club chair is a type of armchair. An armchair is any chair with arms, while a club chair is a wide, comfortable type of armchair that is typically clad in leather and features thick upholstery. All club chairs are armchairs, but not all armchairs are club chairs. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of club chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023An accent chair with no arms is typically called a slipper chair. These upholstered chairs originated in Europe during the 18th century and often served as seating in bedrooms. Today, people place slipper chairs in seating areas as well as bedrooms. Find a variety of slipper chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the Z Chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There are two designers known for producing a Z-Chair. Poul Jensen unveiled his design in 1957. It features a zigzagging teak wood frame and boxy seat and back cushions. In 2011, Sawaya & Moroni introduced a sharply angled, polished stainless steel Z-Chair designed by architect Zaha Hadid. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of chairs from some of the world's top sellers.
- Who designed the Bird chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Italian-American designer and artist Harry Bertoia designed the Bird chair in 1952. It features a tubular base and a wire basket seat. Today, Knoll Furniture continues to manufacture the mid-century modern furnishing. Find a selection of Bird chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the LC1 chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, the venerated Swiss-born architect-designer known as Le Corbusier, and collaborators Pierre Jeanneret (Le Corbusier’s cousin) and Charlotte Perriand designed the LC1 chair in the late 1920s. Its unique design allows the backrest to move as you shift positions, allowing the chair to deliver optimal support. The LC1 was part of a series that saw the trio of designers carrying out bold experiments with tubular chromed steel, just as architect and Bauhaus faculty member Marcel Breuer had executed with his cantilever Cesca chair around the same time. Find a range of Le Corbusier chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Who designed LC2 chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret designed the LC2 chair, also known as the Cassina armchair. Their design debuted at the 1927 Autumn Salon in Paris, France. On 1st 1stDibs, you can shop a range of Le Corbusier chairs.
- Who designed the LCW chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Charles and Ray Eames designed the LCW lounge chair in 1945. Its design includes five pieces of molded plywood. Herman Miller continues to produce the iconic furnishing to this day. You can find a range of LCW chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed airport chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Although many people have designed airport chairs, Charles and Ray Eames are best known for creating seating for airports. The ones they produced for Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, in 1962 are especially famous. On 1st 1stDibs, shop a variety of airport chairs.
- Who designed the MR chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the MR chair in 1927. The tubular steel frame and woven seat reflect the International Style that the German architect helped establish. Today, Knoll furniture manufactures the armchair. Shop a variety of MR chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the LC2 chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The LC2 chair was designed by Le Corbusier in collaboration with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret. The chair was released to the public in 1928 and remains popular to this day. Shop a collection of Le Corbusier’s designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Le Corbusier designed a number of armchairs that people refer to as the Corbusier chair. His designs are spare, minimal and efficient but at the same time offer supreme comfort. Collaborating with his cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, and trailblazing designer Charlotte Perriand, he devised such iconic pieces as the LC2 Petit Confort armchair and the LC4 chaise longue. Each couples a tubular chrome frame with soft, supple leather upholstery, lending an organic warmth to an industrially made piece of furniture. Find a variety of Le Corbusier chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the clam chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Arnold Madsen designed the Clam chair. In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen, an upholsterer by profession who created it in Copenhagen in 1944. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Clam chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Who designed the folding chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Opinions vary on who designed the folding chair. Chairs designed to fold have existed since the ancient world, with examples found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Some people argue that the original designer of the modern-day folding chair was John Cram, who patented an idea for a folding chair in 1855. However, others believe that Philip E.G. Harrison should get the credit because his 1931 design more closely resembles the modern-day folding chair. Nathaniel Alexander also contributed to the development of the folding chair with his 1911 chair that included a book rest, as did Frederic Arnold, who created the first folding aluminum chair in 1947. Shop a selection of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the Eames chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Charles and Ray Eames designed the Eames chair. A married couple, they were the embodiment of the inventiveness, energy and optimism at the heart of mid-century modern American design and have been recognized as among the most influential designers of the 20th century. They produced a line of DCW chairs together in the 1940s and went on to unveil their now iconic lounge chair in 1956. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Eames lounge chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Who the most famous chair designer is may refer to many different people. Arne Jacobsen, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Lilly Reich, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Philippe Starck, Hans Wegner, Verner Panton and Le Corbusier have all designed iconic chairs over time. Shop a selection of antique, vintage and modern chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the coconut chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson designed the coconut chair in 1956. Herman Miller continues to produce the curvy accent chair based on his original design. On 1stDibs, you can shop a collection of coconut chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
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