Gaultier Cushion
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Pillows and Throws
Cotton, Linen
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Foam, Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Silk, Velvet
Vintage 1970s French Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Foam
Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Sofas
Ultrasuede, Foam, Feathers
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Center Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Other Sofas
Fabric
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Wood, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Living Room Sets
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Night Stands
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Beds and Bed Frames
Wood, Giltwood
Vintage 1970s French Space Age Shelves
Chrome
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs
Bouclé
Vintage 1970s American Modern Lounge Chairs
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Metal
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Canvas, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary French Country Ottomans and Poufs
Fabric, Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Italian Sofas
Cotton, Velvet
2010s French Modern Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Silk, Velvet
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Textile
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric
1990s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Suede, Hemp
Early 2000s French Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Foam
21st Century and Contemporary European Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Rattan, Fabric
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Pillows and Throws
Cotton, Linen
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Silk, Velvet
Early 2000s French Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s European Sofas
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Velvet, Silk
2010s French Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Velvet
2010s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Leather, Fabric
Early 2000s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
Early 2000s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
2010s French Modern Sectional Sofas
Fabric
20th Century French Classical Greek Pillows and Throws
Cotton, Linen
Late 20th Century French Sectional Sofas
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Upholstery
Early 2000s European Modern Sofas
Vintage 1970s European Modern Sofas
Late 20th Century French Sofas
Vintage 1970s French Modern Sofas
2010s European Modern Sofas
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Sectional Sofas
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.