What is a mid-century chair?

A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.

How can you tell if a chair is mid century?

To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Are Wassily chairs mid-century modern?

Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What is an iconic chair from the mid-century modern era?

Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

Mid Century Easy Chair

Knoll Platner Easy Chair

Hans Wegner Easy Chair

Teve Chair Alf Svensson

Sas Hotel Copenhagen

Easy Edges

Danish Midcentury Easy Chair

Materials

Beech

$1,716

Mid Century Transformable Scissor Easy Chair

Located in Munich, Bavaria

Mid century scissor easy chair from Germany The chair can be transformed in a dining chair.

Category

Vintage 1950s German Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Mohair, Beech

Stained Beech Easy Chair in Sheepskin by Danish Cabinetmaker, Denmark 1940s

$6,995

Stained Beech Easy Chair in Sheepskin by Danish Cabinetmaker, Denmark 1940s

Located in Utrecht, NL

This mid-century easy chair revolves around high-quality materials, comfort and the mastery of Danish cabinetmakers.

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood

Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner Easy Chair, Pair

$20,000 / set

Mid-Century Modern Warren Platner Easy Chair, Pair

By Warren Platner

Located in Lake Worth, FL

Pair of vintage easy chairs by Warren Platner for Knoll. Great high back lounge chair design with nickel metal cage frames. Upholstery does not look original and must have been repla...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Walnut Easy Chairs, Italy 1960s

$3,948 / set

Mid-Century Walnut Easy Chairs, Italy 1960s

Located in Almelo, NL

Mid-Century Walnut Easy Chairs, Italy 1960s This is a pair of easy chairs that were manufactured in Italy during the 1960s.

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Danish Mid-Century, Pair of Curved Club Chairs, Viggo Boesen Style, 1940s

$7,500 / set

$3,603

Dutch, Tubular Easy Chair

Located in London, GB

A striking Dutch tubular easy chair from the 1970s, showcasing the clean lines and functional aesthetic that defined postwar European design.

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Metal

Brazilian Pair of Easy Chairs

Located in Brussel, BE

Brazilian pair of easy chairs with new fabric.

Category

Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Danish Easy Chair, 1940-1950

H 31.5 in W 22.84 in D 29.93 in

Scandinavian Mid-Century Easy Chair, 1970

Located in London, GB

This chair from 1970s went through a complete restoration process. Chair has been stripped down, all the insides were replaced, foam, inner linen, support belts, upholstery. Wood has...

Category

Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Swedish Mid Century Easy Chair in Sheepskin

Unavailable

H 31.5 in W 27.56 in D 19.3 in

Swedish Mid Century Easy Chair in Sheepskin

By Swedish Furniture Guild

Located in Singapore, SG

An easy chair. It has an elm frame and are upholstered with sheepskin. Circa 1930’s.

Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Elm

Ingve Ekstrom Mid-Century Easy Chair

Unavailable

H 30.32 in W 20.87 in D 25.6 in

Ingve Ekstrom Mid-Century Easy Chair

By Yngve Ekström

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Rare armchair by Ingve Ekstrom. Mid-Century design Prod: ESE-möble, later on called Swedese AB Black painted wood Orange upholstery Mid-Century.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Unavailable

H 28 in W 29 in D 31.5 in

Restored Striped Mid-Century Modern Easy Chair

Located in Marietta, GA

Restored Mid-Century Modern easy chair on taper legs. Restoration includes new foam and new revolution fabric.

Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Mid-Century Modern Teak Easy Chair

Unavailable

H 34.45 in W 28.35 in D 29.53 in

Mid-Century Modern Teak Easy Chair

Located in Munster, NRW

Beautiful lounge chair from teh 1960s. Great organic design, excellent condition.

Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Teak

Unavailable

H 29.93 in W 25.2 in D 18.12 in

Danish Produced Easy Chair, 1960s

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Frame of solid teak Red wool upholstery by Kvadrat.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Wool, Teak

Mid-Century Danish Teak Easy Chair by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, 1960s

Unavailable

H 31.5 in W 28.35 in D 32.29 in

Mid-Century Danish Teak Easy Chair by Arne Hovmand-Olsen for Mogens Kold, 1960s

By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik

Located in Basel, CH

Pair of Danish Mid-Century armchair by Arne Hovmand-Olsen designed in 1954 and manufactured by Mogens Kold in the 1960s. The lounge chair is characterized by its organic form and it...

Materials

Velvet

Unavailable

H 39.38 in W 25.99 in D 25.99 in

Pair of Italian Easy Chairs or Arm Chairs, circa 1950

Located in Sint-Kruis, BE

Elegant set of two midcentury Italian armchairs. Recently reupholstered in striped black and white cotton canvas with rust coloured piping. The chairs have a black lacquered metal fr...

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Unavailable

H 30.5 in W 32 in D 23 in

Round Back Sculptural Vintage Italian Easy Chair

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A round back sculptural Vintage Italian easy chair with brass legs, custom upholstered in an aubergine velvet.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs

Materials

Brass

1970s Swedish Easy Chairs by Gote Mobler

Unavailable

H 33.47 in W 26.78 in D 31.5 in

1970s Swedish Easy Chairs by Gote Mobler

By Göte Möbler Nässjö

Located in ŚWINOUJŚCIE, 32

A Vintage pair of easy chairs by Gote Mobler, model Carmen. These very comfortable mid-century lounge chairs are deep buttoned made by the Swedish Gote Mobler factory.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs

Materials

Fabric

$343

H 32.68 in W 16.93 in D 15.75 in

Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Stick Back Chair by Thomas Harlev

By Thomas Harlev, Farstrup

Located in Courbevoie, FR

Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Stick Back chair by Thomas Harlev, black stain beech. New edition. Architect Thomas Harlev belonged to a group of Danish furniture designers, who des...

Category

Late 20th Century European Chairs

Materials

Beech

$8,160 / set

H 28.15 in W 27.96 in D 27.96 in

Pair of “New Berlin” Easy Chairs by Carl Malmsten, Sweden 20th Century

By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren

Located in Utrecht, NL

These “New Berlin” chairs are among Swedish icon Carl Malmsten’s rarer models. The dark wood, the beautiful upholstery and timeless, clean design makes the “New Berlin” model a beaut...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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The Taplow Sconce in Cast and Hand-spun Brass shown in Antique Brass finish

$1,078

H 24.02 in W 4.73 in D 12.6 in

The Taplow Sconce in Cast and Hand-spun Brass shown in Antique Brass finish

Located in London, GB

The Taplow Wall Sconce was designed by Andrew for the new catalogue collection in the summer of 2024. Andrew wanted to create an Organic Modern sconce but with a Mid-Century vibe tha...

Category

2010s British Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Brass

Pierre Chapo 'T21 Sfax' Handcrafted Solid Elm Wood Table for Chapo Création

$20,000

H 28.7 in Dm 50.4 in

Pierre Chapo 'T21 Sfax' Handcrafted Solid Elm Wood Table for Chapo Création

By Chapo Creation, Pierre Chapo

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pierre Chapo 'T21 Sfax' Handcrafted Solid Elm Wood Table for Chapo Création Originally designed in 1973, the goal for the T 21 Sfax table was to combine the perfect angle of inclina...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Oak

$6,990

H 12 in W 47 in D 18 in

Roger Capron - Coffee Table with Terra Cotta Garrigue and Brown Tiles, 1970s

By Roger Capron

Located in Stratford, CT

Coffee table with the famous Roger Capron Garrigue tiles, designed from 1968 to 1982. Mr. Capron was often balancing his designs by incorporating either brown or white enameled t...

Category

Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ceramic, Wood

Czech Art Deco Walnut, Chrome and Opaline Glass Chandelier, 1930s

$2,518

H 36.62 in W 25.2 in D 25.2 in

Czech Art Deco Walnut, Chrome and Opaline Glass Chandelier, 1930s

Located in Praha, CZ

Impressive Art Deco chandelier made in Czechoslovakia in the 1930s, featuring an elegant combination of walnut, chrome-plated metal and hand-shaped white opaline glass. The chandelie...

Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Metal, Other, Chrome

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Mid Century Easy Chair For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal mid century easy chair for your home. A mid century easy chair — often made from wood, fabric and hardwood — can elevate any home. Find 2564 options for an antique or vintage mid century easy chair now, or shop our selection of 32 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer mid century easy chair, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A mid century easy chair made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with Scandinavian Modern — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one mid century easy chair that is appealing in its simplicity, but Hans J. Wegner, Pierre Jeanneret and France & Søn produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Mid Century Easy Chair?

The average selling price for a mid century easy chair at 1stDibs is $3,844, while they’re typically $1 on the low end and $256,519 for the highest priced.

A Close Look at Mid-century Modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Emerged during the mid-20th century
Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
A heyday of innovation in postwar America
Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
Promotion of functionality

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

Charles and Ray Eames
Eero Saarinen
Milo Baughman
Florence Knoll
Harry Bertoia
Isamu Noguchi
George Nelson
Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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.

Questions About Mid Century Easy Chair

What is a mid-century chair?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
A mid-century chair is a piece of seating furniture that was designed at any point during the middle of the 20th century. Mid-century modern furniture is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. The mid-century period provided an excellent opportunity to experiment with both functional and decorative forms. Mid-century modern chairs were made with a variety of natural and synthetic materials, combining leather, wood, and cane with chrome, steel, and plastic. Shop a range of vintage mid-century chairs on 1stDibs today.
How can you tell if a chair is mid century?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
To tell if a chair is mid-century, look for labels and markings that indicate its maker. Then, use trusted online resources to determine when the company was active. A certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer can be of assistance when dating chairs. Iconic mid-century modern furniture designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Milo Baughman, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi. Find a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.
Are Wassily chairs mid-century modern?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, Wassily chairs are indeed considered mid-century modern. Although the chair was initially designed by Marcel Breuer in 1925, it was re-released in the 1960s. Shop a collection of mid-century modern goods from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is an iconic chair from the mid-century modern era?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
Some iconic chairs from the mid-century modern era include the Egg chair by Arne Jacobson, the La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames and the Womb chair by Eero Saarinen. With their clean lines, organic shapes and simple details, these chairs reflect some of the key features of the style. Shop a variety of mid-century modern chairs on 1stDibs.

How Top Designers Are Using Mid-Century Chairs in Today’s Interiors

Modern icons are showing up in gracefully layered dining nooks, living rooms and lounges — proof that great design only gets better with context.

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.

Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Chair Shook Modernism and Charmed Hollywood

The enduring appeal of the Barcelona chair is in the details.

Herman Miller Got Its Start in the Office, but Its Legacy Is in the Home

The brand that turned Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi and George Nelson into mid-century household names is just as relevant today as it was six decades ago.