Is rattan mid-century modern?

Yes, some rattan is mid-century modern. Designers of the mid-century modern movement often preferred to use natural materials, including rattan, in their designs. However, not all rattan furniture was made during this period. Rattan was also a popular material for furniture produced during the Victorian era and continues to be used to produce furniture today. Shop a wide range of rattan furniture on 1stDibs.

Mid Century Rattan Beds

Rattan And Bamboo Bed

King Headboards

Danish Rattan

Rattan King Bed Frame

Restored Mid-century Stacked Rattan Full Sized Bed Frame

$2,880Sale Price|40% Off

Restored Mid-century Stacked Rattan Full Sized Bed Frame

Located in Van Nuys, CA

This beautifully restored Paul Frankl-inspired stacked Rattan Full/Double size Bed Frame

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Rattan Beds with Bed Net. 1960s

$3,415 / set

Mid-Century Modern Italian Pair of Bamboo and Rattan Beds with Bed Net. 1960s

Located in Prato, IT

Mid-Century Modern Pair of Italian Bamboo and rattan Day Bed in really good vintage conditions with

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Mid-Century Modern Rounded Shape Rattan Cane Headboard Bed Mint!

$3,400

Mid-Century Modern Rounded Shape Rattan Cane Headboard Bed Mint!

By Franco Albini

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern rounded shape rattan cane headboard bed mint!

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Cane

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Double

$10,778

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Double

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro King

$11,390 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — USA King

$13,830 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — USA King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — USA King

$13,830 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — USA King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — USA Queen

$13,486 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — USA Queen

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro King

$12,211 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac — USA Californian King

$14,302 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac — USA Californian King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Double

$12,323 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Double

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — USA Queen

$13,190 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — USA Queen

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — USA Queen

$13,459 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — USA Queen

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — USA King

$14,170 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — USA King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro King

$12,211 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro Double

$12,344 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro Double

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Natural — USA Californian King

$14,302 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Natural — USA Californian King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

MId 20th Century Bamboo and Rattan Bed Headboard in Chinese Chippendale style

$1,418Sale Price|20% Off

MId 20th Century Bamboo and Rattan Bed Headboard in Chinese Chippendale style

By Vivai del Sud

Located in Roma, IT

vintage headboard is made of thick bamboo canes cut and tied together with rattan to create a splendid

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Chippendale Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Vivai Del Sud Rattan Bed

$3,533

Vivai Del Sud Rattan Bed

By Vivai del Sud

Located in Charmes, FR

rattan bed with 3 drawers on each side. It can form a bed for two people, or 2 single beds

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Bohemian Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Restored Paul Frankl Style Mid-Century Stacked Rattan Single Size Bed Frame

$2,370Sale Price|40% Off

Restored Paul Frankl Style Mid-Century Stacked Rattan Single Size Bed Frame

By Paul Frankl

Located in Van Nuys, CA

-pole base and matching stacked rattan headboard, offering a Mid-century design rooted in Streamline

Category

Vintage 1940s American Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Pair of Mid-Century Restored 1948 Stacked Rattan Twin - Bed Frames Only

$2,640Sale Price / set|40% Off

Pair of Mid-Century Restored 1948 Stacked Rattan Twin - Bed Frames Only

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Pair of Mid-Century restored rattan bed frames. Mattresses are available by request. Two twin bed

Category

Vintage 1940s Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Metal

Italian rattan baby bed, 1960s

$530

Italian rattan baby bed, 1960s

Located in bruxelles, BE

Rattan baby bed from the 1960s. Wear and tear due to time and age.

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Super King

$11,490 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Super King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Mega King

$12,915 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Mega King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Bent Bamboo Rattan Headboard Footboard Queen Size Bed Mid Century MINT!

$3,200

Bent Bamboo Rattan Headboard Footboard Queen Size Bed Mid Century MINT!

By Ficks Reed, John Wisner, McGuire

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Bent Bamboo Rattan Headboard Footboard Queen Size Bed Mid Century MINT!

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo

Restored Mid-century Full Size 13-strand Stacked Rattan Bed Frame w/ Book Shelf

$4,020Sale Price|40% Off

Restored Mid-century Full Size 13-strand Stacked Rattan Bed Frame w/ Book Shelf

Located in Van Nuys, CA

This beautifully restored full-sized bed frame was built by Seven Seas Rattan Company (1938 to 2011

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan, Mahogany

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Mega King

$11,857 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Mega King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — US Cali King

$14,720 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — US Cali King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro Mega King

$11,836 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro Mega King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — USA Cali King

$14,720 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — USA Cali King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Super King

$12,503 / item

Mid-Century Modern Danish Sanders Bed in Rattan & Cognac Oak — Euro Super King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Vintage rattan basket bed 120cm x 190cm

$632Sale Price|58% Off

Vintage rattan basket bed 120cm x 190cm

Located in AIGNAN, FR

Rattan bed from the 60s. Aesthetic, large and trendy, it will bring a vintage and bohemian touch

Category

Mid-20th Century French Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Vintage Coastal Sunburst Rattan King Platform Bed

$3,850

Vintage Coastal Sunburst Rattan King Platform Bed

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Elevate your bedroom with this exquisite Vintage Coastal Rattan King Platform Bed. Crafted with an

Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Bamboo Rattan Headboard & Footboard by Dux of Sweden, Mid-Century

$1,884Sale Price / set|46% Off

Bamboo Rattan Headboard & Footboard by Dux of Sweden, Mid-Century

By Dux of Sweden

Located in Bochum, NRW

footboard set, a rare example of mid-century Scandinavian artistry. Intricately designed with layered

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro King

$11,390 / item

Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro Double

$10,760 / item

Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro Double

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid 20th Century Vintage Coastal Rattan King Headboard

$1,750

Mid 20th Century Vintage Coastal Rattan King Headboard

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Embrace coastal living with this Vintage Coastal Rattan King Headboard. Crafted with American flair

Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Sanders Bed in Oak and Rattan — USA King

$14,165 / item

Sanders Bed in Oak and Rattan — USA King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid Century White Painted Woven Wicker and Rattan Twin Headboards, Pair

$1,675 / set

Mid Century White Painted Woven Wicker and Rattan Twin Headboards, Pair

Located in Germantown, MD

A pair of Mid Century White Painted Woven Wicker and Rattan Twin size Headboards. Measure 40" in

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Paint

Pair of Børge Mogensen Teak and Rattan Bed Frames

$3,769Sale Price / set|20% Off

Pair of Børge Mogensen Teak and Rattan Bed Frames

By Børge Mogensen

Located in Madrid, ES

Pair of teak wood bed frames with rattan headboard from the 1950s. Designed by Børge Mogensen and

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan, Teak

Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro Super King

$11,469 / item

Walford Bed in Rattan & Natural Oak — Euro Super King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A simplified version of the Sanders bed, with a lower headboard, in European oak and rattan. Hand

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Sanders Bed in Oak and Rattan — Euro Super King

$12,504 / item

Sanders Bed in Oak and Rattan — Euro Super King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Sanders Bed in Oak and Rattan — Euro Mega King

$12,915 / item

Sanders Bed in Oak and Rattan — Euro Mega King

By Lind + Almond

Located in London, England

A bed in European oak and rattan, developed especially for Sanders, Copenhagen's premier luxury

Category

2010s Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Rattan / Cane Super King Headboard, Italian, 1970s

$1,493

Mid-Century Modern Rattan / Cane Super King Headboard, Italian, 1970s

Located in Richmond, Surrey

Mid-Century Modern rattan / cane super king headboard (6’ft), Italian, 1970s Mid-Century Modern

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Restored Mid-century Geometric Brick Pattern Rattan & Mahogany Twin Headboad

$2,100Sale Price / item|40% Off

Restored Mid-century Geometric Brick Pattern Rattan & Mahogany Twin Headboad

Located in Van Nuys, CA

This restored Mid-century rattan and mahogany twin-size bed headboard blends natural materials with

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan, Mahogany

Italian Single Bed Attr. to Gio Ponti in Bamboo and Rattan

$3,297Sale Price|20% Off

Italian Single Bed Attr. to Gio Ponti in Bamboo and Rattan

By Gio Ponti

Located in Milano, IT

and mid-century style. Keyboard high height: 52CM, keyboard low height 42CM, width 93.5CM, depth

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

1970s Italian Bamboo Rattan Bohemian French Riviera Peacock Bed Frame Headboard

$1,891

1970s Italian Bamboo Rattan Bohemian French Riviera Peacock Bed Frame Headboard

By Franca Helg, Antonio Piva and Franco Albini, Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet, Vittorio Bonacina

Located in Carimate, Como

Beautiful 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern curved sunrise shaped wall bed frame headboard made of

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian French Provincial Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Restored 85" Wide Mid -century King Size Stacked Rattan Headboard

$1,977Sale Price|40% Off

Restored 85" Wide Mid -century King Size Stacked Rattan Headboard

By Paul Frankl

Located in Van Nuys, CA

This beautifully restored Paul Frankl-inspired 85" wide restored king stacked rattan headboard

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Mid Century Rattan / Cane Double Headboard by 'Angraves' England 1970s

$1,188

Mid Century Rattan / Cane Double Headboard by 'Angraves' England 1970s

Located in Richmond, Surrey

Mid Century Modern Rattan / Cane Arch Shaped Double Headboard (4’ft), By Angraves England, 1970s

Category

Vintage 1970s British Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Restored Paul Frankl Style Stacked Rattan Single Size Bed Frame by Kane Kraft

$2,370Sale Price|40% Off

Restored Paul Frankl Style Stacked Rattan Single Size Bed Frame by Kane Kraft

By Paul Frankl

Located in Van Nuys, CA

stacked 10-pole base and matching stacked rattan headboard, offering a Mid-century design rooted in

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Tito Agnoli, Bed

$7,496

Tito Agnoli, Bed

By Tito Agnoli

Located in London, GB

c.1960s Bamboo and rattan H72 x W205 x D90 cm

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Vintage Boho Chic Rattan Queen Size Headboard

$593

Vintage Boho Chic Rattan Queen Size Headboard

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Vintage Boho Chic Rattan Headboard — hand-woven rattan queen headboard with organic texture and

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Vintage rattan cradle

$652Sale Price|20% Off

Vintage rattan cradle

Located in AIGNAN, FR

Rattan cradle dating from the 60s. Rattan is bright, warm and of good quality. Its curves give it

Category

Mid-20th Century French Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

1970s Vintage Coastal Woven Rattan Fan Back Twin Headboards - A Pair

$1,100 / set

1970s Vintage Coastal Woven Rattan Fan Back Twin Headboards - A Pair

Located in Elkton, MD

A pair of vintage rattan twin headboards featuring a decorative woven fan-back design with arching

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Vintage Italian Rattan daybed, circa 1960

$3,250

Vintage Italian Rattan daybed, circa 1960

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A vintage Italian rattan daybed, circa 1960. Interior dimensions : 33.5" W x 75" D

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Vintage Coastal Trellis Rattan Twin Headboards - a Pair

$1,550 / set

Vintage Coastal Trellis Rattan Twin Headboards - a Pair

By Ficks Reed

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Bring breezy elegance to your bedroom with these vintage coastal trellis rattan twin headboards

Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Rattan

Vintage Coastal Woven Rattan Arched Full Headboard

$1,895 / item

Vintage Coastal Woven Rattan Arched Full Headboard

By Franco Albini

Located in Southampton, NJ

Mid 20th Century coastal full size headboard in the manner of Franco Albini. 1960's Italy

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

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Mid Century Rattan Beds For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of mid century rattan beds available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of natural fiber, rattan and bamboo, all mid century rattan beds available were constructed with great care. Find 70 antique and vintage mid century rattan beds at 1stDibs now, or shop our selection of 19 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished furniture. Mid century rattan beds have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. Mid century rattan beds made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Scandinavian Modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. Mid century rattan beds have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Jönsson Inventar, Lind + Almond and American of Martinsville are consistently popular.

How Much are Mid Century Rattan Beds?

Prices for mid century rattan beds start at $195 and top out at $19,646 with the average selling for $2,249.

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.

Questions About Mid Century Rattan Beds

Is rattan mid-century modern?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024
Yes, some rattan is mid-century modern. Designers of the mid-century modern movement often preferred to use natural materials, including rattan, in their designs. However, not all rattan furniture was made during this period. Rattan was also a popular material for furniture produced during the Victorian era and continues to be used to produce furniture today. Shop a wide range of rattan furniture on 1stDibs.