Midcentury Design Chair
Vintage 1970s Swedish Chairs
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Teak
Vintage 1960s Chairs
Plywood
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Elm
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood, Leather, Oak
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century German Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Ash
Vintage 1970s Australian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Leather, Plywood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Bouclé, Wood
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Beech, Walnut
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Cowhide, Beech
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Beech
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Straw, Wood
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
2010s Chinese Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1970s Argentine Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Brass, Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Bentwood
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Faux Leather
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Faux Fur, Wood
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood, Nutwood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Wood, Upholstery
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Iron
Mid-20th Century Dutch Arts and Crafts Corner Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Baroque Dining Room Chairs
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Straw, Plywood
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Beech, Plywood
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Leather, Elm
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Chairs
Beech
Vintage 1960s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Rope, Oak, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Armchairs
Lambskin, Oak
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Teak
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Midcentury Design Chair For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Midcentury Design Chair?
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
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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 legendary 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.
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Who the most famous chair designer is may refer to many different people. Arne Jacobsen, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Lilly Reich, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Philippe Starck, Hans Wegner, Verner Panton and Le Corbusier have all designed iconic chairs over time. Shop a selection of antique, vintage and modern chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the coconut chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson designed the coconut chair in 1956. Herman Miller continues to produce the curvy accent chair based on his original design. On 1stDibs, you can shop a collection of coconut chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Who designed Paimio Chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto designed the Paimio chair for a tuberculosis sanatorium in the town of Paimio, Finland. The bent plywood chair debuted in the early 1930s. On 1st 1stDibs, shop a range of Alvar Aalto chairs.
- Who designed the Hand chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Surrealist designer and artist Pedro Friedeberg designed the Hand chair. He unveiled the piece in 1962 when he was only 24 years old. Many designers and furniture companies have created similar pieces since. Find a collection of Hand chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the Transat chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Eileen Gray designed the Transat chair in 1922. Its name comes from the luxury ocean liners that took passengers on transatlantic voyages during the early 20th century. Gray became inspired to create the chair after sitting in deck chairs on one such ship. Shop a range of Transat chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy designed the Butterfly chair. The trio met while working in Le Corbusier's studio and then moved to Argentina, where they founded the Grupo Austral. In 1938, they unveiled their now iconic chair, which was inspired by a previous work called Tripolona, which they designed using inspiration from folding, collapsible chairs used by the British military. Shop a collection of Butterfly chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the Z Chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023There are two designers known for producing a Z-Chair. Poul Jensen unveiled his design in 1957. It features a zigzagging teak wood frame and boxy seat and back cushions. In 2011, Sawaya & Moroni introduced a sharply angled, polished stainless steel Z-Chair designed by architect Zaha Hadid. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of chairs from some of the world's top sellers.
- Who designed the Bird chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Italian-American designer and artist Harry Bertoia designed the Bird chair in 1952. It features a tubular base and a wire basket seat. Today, Knoll Furniture continues to manufacture the mid-century modern furnishing. Find a selection of Bird chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the LC1 chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, the venerated Swiss-born architect-designer known as Le Corbusier, and collaborators Pierre Jeanneret (Le Corbusier’s cousin) and Charlotte Perriand designed the LC1 chair in the late 1920s. Its unique design allows the backrest to move as you shift positions, allowing the chair to deliver optimal support. The LC1 was part of a series that saw the trio of designers carrying out bold experiments with tubular chromed steel, just as architect and Bauhaus faculty member Marcel Breuer had executed with his cantilever Cesca chair around the same time. Find a range of Le Corbusier chairs from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Who designed LC2 chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret designed the LC2 chair, also known as the Cassina armchair. Their design debuted at the 1927 Autumn Salon in Paris, France. On 1st 1stDibs, you can shop a range of Le Corbusier chairs.
- Who designed the LCW chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Charles and Ray Eames designed the LCW lounge chair in 1945. Its design includes five pieces of molded plywood. Herman Miller continues to produce the iconic furnishing to this day. You can find a range of LCW chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed airport chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Although many people have designed airport chairs, Charles and Ray Eames are best known for creating seating for airports. The ones they produced for Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, in 1962 are especially famous. On 1st 1stDibs, shop a variety of airport chairs.
- Who designed the MR chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the MR chair in 1927. The tubular steel frame and woven seat reflect the International Style that the German architect helped establish. Today, Knoll furniture manufactures the armchair. Shop a variety of MR chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the LC2 chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The LC2 chair was designed by Le Corbusier in collaboration with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret. The chair was released to the public in 1928 and remains popular to this day. Shop a collection of Le Corbusier’s designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Le Corbusier designed a number of armchairs that people refer to as the Corbusier chair. His designs are spare, minimal and efficient but at the same time offer supreme comfort. Collaborating with his cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, and trailblazing designer Charlotte Perriand, he devised such iconic pieces as the LC2 Petit Confort armchair and the LC4 chaise longue. Each couples a tubular chrome frame with soft, supple leather upholstery, lending an organic warmth to an industrially made piece of furniture. Find a variety of Le Corbusier chairs on 1stDibs.
- Who designed the clam chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Arnold Madsen designed the Clam chair. In the past, it was ascribed to the Norwegian retailer Martin Olsen and then the Danish architect Philip Arctander. It was only through some dogged research by a team of international design historians and collectors that it was finally correctly associated with Madsen, an upholsterer by profession who created it in Copenhagen in 1944. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Clam chairs from some of the world’s top sellers.
- Who designed the Eames chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024Charles and Ray Eames designed the Eames chair. A married couple, they were the embodiment of the inventiveness, energy and optimism at the heart of mid-century modern American design and have been recognized as among the most influential designers of the 20th century. They produced a line of DCW chairs together in the 1940s and went on to unveil their now iconic lounge chair in 1956. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Eames lounge chairs.
- Who designed the folding chair?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Opinions vary on who designed the folding chair. Chairs designed to fold have existed since the ancient world, with examples found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. Some people argue that the original designer of the modern-day folding chair was John Cram, who patented an idea for a folding chair in 1855. However, others believe that Philip E.G. Harrison should get the credit because his 1931 design more closely resembles the modern-day folding chair. Nathaniel Alexander also contributed to the development of the folding chair with his 1911 chair that included a book rest, as did Frederic Arnold, who created the first folding aluminum chair in 1947. Shop a selection of folding chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Vladimir Kagan designed the Shield Back chair, which debuted in 1955. It features an upholstered back and seat. Cabinetmaker George Hepplewhite is also known for creating an all-wood shield back chair sometime during the mid-18th century. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of shield back chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024Marcel Breuer designed several chairs. One of his best-known pieces is the Wassily lounge chair made of tubular steel and leather straps. Breuer named the chair after the artist Wassily Kandinsky. Among the designer's other notable chairs are the Cesca chair, the B35 lounge chair and the S 35. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Marcel Breuer chairs.
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