Ikat Bench
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Benches
Cotton
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Italian Benches
Steel, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome
Late 20th Century American Benches
Wood, Lacquer
1990s North American Benches
Wood
Late 20th Century American Stools
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1980s American Benches
Upholstery, Wood
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Walnut, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary American Bohemian Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
2010s British Scandinavian Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Velvet, Mohair, Oak
2010s Moroccan Modern Sofas
Velvet
2010s American Modern Benches
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern End Tables
Wood
2010s American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Sofas
Upholstery, Walnut
2010s American Modern Cabinets
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Art Deco Benches
Upholstery, Wood
20th Century Hollywood Regency Settees
Mohair
2010s American Other Benches
Fabric
2010s Argentine Modern Settees
Wood
Vintage 1950s French Louis XVI Panelling
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.
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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.
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What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.