Eames Plywood Stool
Early 2000s German Mid-Century Modern Stools
Plywood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Walnut
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Bentwood, Plywood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Fiberglass, Walnut
Early 2000s European Mid-Century Modern Stools
Oak, Plywood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Plywood
Late 20th Century Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
Stainless Steel
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Steel, Brass
2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile, Wood
2010s American Modern Stools
Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Stainless Steel
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Tables
Mohair, Oak
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Center Tables
Wood, Birdseye Maple
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Textile, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Center Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Bentwood
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Ch...
Steel, Chrome
Recent Sales
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Birch, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Stools
Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Stools
Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Stools
Plywood
Vintage 1950s Japanese Japonisme Stools
Brass
Mid-20th Century Stools
Cherry, Plywood
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Fiberglass, Walnut
Early 2000s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Stools
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Stools
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Stools
Plastic
Vintage 1950s American Modern Stools
Plywood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Plastic, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary German Stools
Brass
Early 2000s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Metal
20th Century American Chairs
Vintage 1960s Dutch Armchairs
Teak
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric, Plywood
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Daybeds
Cotton, Oak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Chrome
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Fiberglass
Early 2000s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
Enamel, Steel
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
Steel
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Marble, Metal
Vintage 1950s American Stools
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Minimalist Stools
Rosewood
1990s Italian Modern Stools
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Pedestals
Steel
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1950s American Side Tables
Birch, Laminate
Vintage 1940s American Modern Toys and Dolls
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Tables
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Plywood
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 ExpertApril 5, 2022To clean an Eames molded plywood chair, wipe it down with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a mild dish soap. Then, use a second cloth moistened with water to wipe off the soap. Finally, use a soft towel to dry. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Eames chairs.
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.