Halo Groucho
20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
20th Century British Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
Recent Sales
20th Century British Club Chairs
Leather
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Chrome
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Leather
20th Century English Art Deco Sofas
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Settees
Leather
20th Century British Armchairs
Leather
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
20th Century British Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Leather
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
20th Century British Sofas
Leather
20th Century English Art Deco Armchairs
Leather
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather
20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Leather
People Also Browsed
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Sculptures and Carvings
Granite
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak, Walnut
20th Century Regency Stairs
Crystal, Brass
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chairs
Steel
2010s Dutch Modern Decorative Bowls
Travertine
2010s Swedish Lounge Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
2010s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Sheepskin, Walnut
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Glass, Wood, Oak
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Burl
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Oak
Vintage 1950s Daybeds
Bouclé, Elm
2010s Table Lamps
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Sofas
Upholstery
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Egyptian Egyptian Figurative Sculptures
Limestone
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.