Harden Arm Chair
Vintage 1950s American Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Cane, Cherry
Vintage 1960s American Modern Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine, Marble
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Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Marble
Late 20th Century American Modern Chairs
Steel, Chrome
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
2010s Vietnamese Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
Marble
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Mid-20th Century Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Hardwood
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount
Brass, Steel
20th Century French Louis XV Chairs
Cane, Giltwood, Wood
2010s Italian Modern Conference Tables
Concrete
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
2010s British Beds and Bed Frames
Mahogany
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century American Queen Anne Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Cherry
Early 20th Century North American Arts and Crafts Rocking Chairs
Leather, Oak
20th Century American Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Late 20th Century Modern Armchairs
Leather
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chenille, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cane, Wood
Vintage 1960s American Regency Sofas
Fabric, Mahogany, Down
Early 20th Century American Rocking Chairs
Oak
20th Century American Club Chairs
Nickel
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Dining chairs without arms are called side chairs. Their counterpart, the armchair, is often found at the head of the table, with the side chairs filling in the seats along the side of the table. Shop a collection of side chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dining room chairs with arms are simply called armchairs. They are not to be confused with armchairs used in seating areas. A dining chair without arms is a side chair. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage dining chairs on 1stDibs.
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