Knoll Egg
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Suede
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Nickel
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Nickel
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Vintage 1940s Swedish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Walnut
2010s South African Minimalist Pedestals
Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Brass, Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Onyx, Brass
2010s American Modern Table Lamps
Steel, Brass, Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century German Armchairs
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Card Tables and Tea Tables
Lacquer
Antique Late 18th Century European Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of D...
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Side Tables
Travertine
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Organic Modern Center Tables
Travertine
Early 2000s Italian Bauhaus Lounge Chairs
Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Armchairs
Bouclé
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
Antique Early 19th Century French Restauration Commodes and Chests of Dr...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Vintage 1970s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Beech
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
Upholstery, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Oak
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Teak
Vintage 1960s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Danish Lounge Chairs
Cotton, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Danish Club Chairs
Wool, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Other, Steel
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Teak
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Loveseats
Fiberglass, Fabric
Vintage 1960s American Armchairs
21st Century and Contemporary American Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Bronze
1990s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Danish Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Prints
Paper
Vintage 1960s American Swivel Chairs
Vintage 1960s French Rocking Chairs
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1950s American Modern Armchairs
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.
Read More
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This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
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.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.