Mid-20th Century Textile Benches
Mid-20th Century Louis XVI Benches
Textile, Wood
Early 20th Century Persian Tribal Quilts and Blankets
Wool
Vintage 1960s American Bohemian Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Textile, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Mahogany, Cork
Antique Mid-19th Century French Louis XIII Stools
Tapestry, Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome
20th Century American Benches
Metal, Bronze
20th Century American Benches
Brass
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Textile
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Textile, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
20th Century American Benches
Iron
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches
Textile, Wood
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome, Brass
20th Century American Benches
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wood, Wood, Textile
20th Century American Benches
Wood, Textile
Mid-20th Century American Benches
Textile, Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches
Cane, Textile, Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Textile
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Wood, Textile
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Chrome, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Rococo Benches
Wood
Mid-20th Century Turkish Kilim Benches
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
Brass
Mid-20th Century Italian Country Benches
Burlap, Wood
Mid-20th Century Turkish Kilim Benches
Wool
Mid-20th Century Persian Kilim Benches
Wool
Mid-20th Century Benches
Brass
20th Century American Stools
Textile
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Stools
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Velvet, Silk
Finding the Right Seating for You
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality lounge furniture cannot be overstated. Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other seating — 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 styles in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other furnishings — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring 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 antique, new and vintage seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.