Hoof Foot Bench
20th Century American Country Stools
Fabric, Wood
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Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Stools
Brass
Early 20th Century Unknown Regency Benches
Fabric, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Provincial Benches
Walnut
20th Century American Country Stools
Fabric, Wood
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21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Regency End Tables
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Stools
Brass
20th Century Syrian Moorish Decorative Boxes
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Glass, Art Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Benches
Oak, Walnut
Antique Early 19th Century English George III Tea Caddies
Brass
Mid-20th Century Apothecary Cabinets
Pine, Plywood
2010s Thai Post-Modern Benches
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21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Iron
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Settees
Bronze, Ormolu
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Art Deco Buffets
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2010s Italian Chinoiserie Planters, Cachepots and Jardinières
Tin
Vintage 1930s Dutch Art Deco Apothecary Cabinets
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Other Figurative Sculptures
Terracotta
20th Century English Armchairs
Mahogany
20th Century American Footstools
Cotton, Wood
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 ExpertOctober 19, 2021A bench at the foot of a bed is called a bedroom bench or an end-of-bed bench. It has many uses — it can be a place to keep a folded blanket or bedspread or a surface to keep your robe or sleepwear ready for bedtime. Shop a range of vintage and antique bedroom benches on 1stDibs.
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