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
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
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.
De Sede DS-76 Style 5-Piece Natural Leather Modular Sectional
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Five-piece modular sectional in natural tan leather, configured as two corner pieces and three straight sections arranged in an L-shape. Each module measures 36 inch wide by 37.5 inc...
Metal
Mid-Century De Sede Style Cognac Patchwork Leather Sectional Sofa
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Three-piece modular sectional sofa in cognac patchwork leather, influenced by the European luxury seating produced by De Sede during the 1960s and 1970s. The design features a low-pr...
Leather
De Sede ‘DS-22’ Modular Sofa in Caramel Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘DS-22’ Modular sofa, leather, Switzerland, 1980s This high quality sectional sofa designed by De Sede in the 1980s contains three corner element and two regular elements. ...
Leather
$13,500 / set
Harvey Probber “Cubo” Nuclear Seating Modular Sofa
Located in Bensalem, PA
Original Harvey Probber tagged sofa.Circa 1970s from the Cubo line 10 pieces included, comes with original black plinth bases as seen please look at pictures and video for overall de...
Upholstery
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia Sectional 'Erasmo' Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, sectional 'Erasmo' sofa, leather, Italy, 1974. An early version 'Erasmo' sectional sofa designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B I...
Leather
De Sede 'Pagoda' DS-19 Sectional Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, sofa, model 'Pagoda' DS-19, leather, Switzerland, 1973-1979 This exceptional high-quality sofa, designed by De Sede in the 1970s, is composed of two regular elements, one c...
Leather
1960's Mid-Century Modern Walnut & Velvet 2-Piece Sectional Sofa
By Dunbar Furniture, Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Edward Wormley
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage 1960's Mid Century Modern sectional couch for sale. It's a two-piece sectional that has a solid walnut platform and solid walnut legs, and has walnut trims at the top. The wa...
Velvet, Walnut
$3,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Modular Sectional sofa with ottoman by Broyhill Lenoir
By Broyhill
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Modular Sectional sofa with ottoman by Broyhill Lenoir Vintage Broyhill Lenoir Modular Sectional Sofa characterized by its distinctive exposed solid wood frame st...
Upholstery, Walnut
Luciano Frigerio 'Can Can' Sectional Sofa with Side Tables in Dark Wood
By Luciano Frigerio, Frigerio Di Desio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio Di Desio, 'Can Can' sectional sofa with side tables, beech, fabric, glass, Italy, 1960s This large living room set known as 'Can Can' is designed by Lu...
Fabric, Glass, Beech
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in Green Velvet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, Kvadrat Harald 3 - 0952, wood, Italy, 1970s. This rare sofa is designed by Willy Rizzo in the 1970s. This alignment consists of s...
Fabric, Wood
Hugo Sofa Compo 012 - Alpaca Alto fabric, color 11 (or any fabric from Cat. B)
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Hugo Modular Sofa combines sleek modernity with soft, sculptural lines, creating a striking yet inviting presence in any living space. Fully modular, it offers effortless flexibi...
Fabric, Rubber, Wood
Mah Jong sofa in woven wool/cotton fabric by Roche Bobois, France, 1970s
Located in amstelveen, NL
Exceptional early edition of the iconic Mah Jong modular sofa, designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in the 1970s. This highly versatile configuration showcases the relaxed, lou...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Curved Serpentine Sectional Sofa by Weiman
By Weiman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sleek and modern, this sofa was produced by Weiman Preview, dating to the 1980s. It features an elegant three-piece design, with the main body set upon an upholstered plinth-style ba...
Fabric, Upholstery
Modern American Sectional Corner Sofa in Structured Yellow Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sectional sofa, structured yellow upholstery, metal, United States, 1960s This two-part sofa is upholstered in soft yellow structured fabric that emphasizes the strong lines...
Metal
1970s Georg Thams L-Shaped Sectional Sofa, Brown Leather, Wenge Base
By Vejen Polstermøbelfabrik, Georg Thams
Located in Los Angeles, CA
L-shaped sectional sofa designed by Georg Thams for Vejen Polstermobelfabrik embodies the refined sensibility of 1970s Danish Modern design. Drawing inspiration from the luxurious ae...
Leather, Wood, Wenge
1970s De Sede Style Green Tufted Leather Modular Sectional Sofa
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A truly fun and inviting 1970s De Sede style green tufted leather modular sectional sofa. This versatile piece offers exceptional flexibility in arranging a lounge space, composed of...
Leather
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Curved Sectional Sofa Newly Reupholstered
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Baltimore, MD
Stunning mid-century modern two-piece sectional curved sofa designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. An exceptional sofa both for its form and quality, it is a distinctive and he...
Upholstery
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot Sectional Corner Sofa in White Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo for Mario Sabot, sectional corner sofa, fabric, ultrasuede, wood, Italy, 1970s. This rare sofa is designed by Willy Rizzo and consists of a three-seater, two-seater, and...
Fabric, Wood
Stylish Milo Baughman 3 Piece Circular Sectional Sofa Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish Milo Baughman 3 piece circular sectional sofa. The upholstery will need up dating as it looks tired and worn. The cushions are still soft and comfortable along with the foa...
Upholstery, Wood
Luciano Frigerio, Sectional Sofa, Wood, Fabric, Italy, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A sectional dark-stained wood and off-white fabric sofa produced by Luciano Frigerio, Italy, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.5"H x 107.88"W x 85.25"D Seat Height (inches)...
Fabric, Wood
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Semi-Circular Sofa, 1970
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Semi-Circular Sofa, 1970’s. Original upholstery. Measures 33” deep 168” wide 26” tall seat height 15”
Upholstery
$6,595Sale Price / set|30% Off
Set of Vintage Italian Velvet Five Modular Armchairs and Coffee Table, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful modular velvet sofa, composed of 5 armchairs and a coffee table. The coffee table has a smoked mirror as a top. The Italian sofa is in dark orang...
Velvet, Beech
Selig Large 7-Piece Sectional or Modular Parsons Sofa Set, Mid-Century Modern
By Selig
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in the USA, this 7-piece sectional sofa was produced by Selig in the early days of the company. Typically Selig is known today for importing Danish furniture and de...
Fabric
$13,946Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Italian Sistema 61 Sofa Design by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli
Located in London, GB
This vintage, quite rare, Modular sofa its a splendid Iconic expression of the 1970s Italian design. This one in particular "Sistema 61 Modular Sofa" is m...
Metal
Large 6 Piece Modular Sofa „TRIO“ by COR, Team Form AG, 1973
By Team Form AG, COR
Located in Rosendahl, DE
Modular “Trio” Sofa by Team Form AG for COR, Germany, 1973 An iconic modular sofa designed by Team Form AG for COR in 1973, celebrated for its architectural form and exceptional com...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
De Sede DS 600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa 40 Elements in Full-grain Nappa Leather
By Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Tilburg, NL
De Sede DS 600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa with 40 Elements in High Quality Full-grain Nappa Leather, Zwitserland. New, current production. The De Sede DS 600 alias 'Tatzelwurm' or 'Sna...
Leather, Wood
$12,375 / item
L-Shaped Mesa Sectional by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Mesa Sectional is fully upholstered and features a walnut or oak plinth base. Also available as a Sectional with Chaise or a Sofa. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and ...
Fabric, Walnut
Verner Panton Cloverleaf Sofa 3 Parts in 'Harald 3 #982' by Kvadrat for Verpan
Located in Tilburg, NL
Verner Panton cloverleaf sectional sofa. Current production. This listing shows a 3-piece Cloverleaf Sofa in dark green 'Harald 3 #982' by Kvadrat. Sea...
Fabric, Wood
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sectional Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sectional Sofa Sectional consist of 6 pieces plus two ottomans. Multiple sections of sofa retain Craft Assoc. labels. Each ottoman measures- 3...
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Curved L Shape Sectional Sofa & Chaise in Art Deco Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large vintage 2 piece sectional sofa with a gorgeous form. It features 2 sections with a low profile sculptural look. Feet are low profile 1 inch cylinders. Fabric is original and ...
Fabric, Wood
De Sede DS 600 'Snake' Seating Landscape with 80 Elements in Nappa Leather
By De Sede, Ueli Berger
Located in Tilburg, NL
De Sede DS 600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa - Seating Landscape with 80 Elements in High Quality Full-grain Nappa Leather, Zwitserland. New, current production. The De Sede DS 600 alias ...
Leather, Wood
Monumental Adrian Pearsall Sectional Sofa for Craft, 1970s
By Craft, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hamburg, PA
A monumental Adrian Pearsall sectional sofa for Craft. This sectional sofa can be arranged in multiple configurations, as shown in the images...
Upholstery
Six Piece Mid Century Boxy Modern Modular or Sectional L Shaped Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic boxy modular sofa circa 1970's. A very simple timeless design. Single chairs measures W 28 D 35, corner piece measures W 35 D 35, and the ottoman measures W 29 D 29. Fabric...
Fabric
Mid-Century Modern Curved or Circular Modular Serpentine Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A six piece modular sofa circa 1970's. These feature their original burnt orange wool fabric. In usable condition but would look great with updated fabric. We have 2 matching sofas...
Fabric
Alberto Roselli "Confidential" sofa with ottoman for Saporiti Italia 1970s
By Saporiti, Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in Skokie, IL
Alberto Roselli "Confidential" sofa with ottoman in newly upholstered in soft mohair for Saporiti Italia, 1970s. You can easily remove one section from the middle of the sofa if you ...
Steel
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Light Grey Leather
By Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, Sectional sofa model ‘Snake’ DS-600, leather, Switzerland, 1972. An amazing design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerla...
Leather
Mid-Century Post Modern Curved L Shaped Cloud Sectional Sofa by Directional
By Directional
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek & stunning L shaped sectional sofa with incredible design lines. This well built sofa is by Directional furniture, circa 1980s. It features the original fabric in a 3 separat...
Fabric
American Designer, Sectional Sofa, Rattan, Fabric, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A rattan and floral-printed fabric sectional or modular sofa designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s. Some distress to fabric, ideally recovered. Wear consistent with age and use....
Fabric, Rattan
$18,386Sale Price|50% Off
Unique Limited Edition Jaguar XK150 Sofa
Located in London, GB
Limited Edition X150 Sofa Made from Fibreglass Made in Two Halves so you can have a table in the middle Identical to Original Leather Upholstery and Wire Wheels Much Fun and a Real C...
Fiberglass
Martin Visser SZ13 Three-Piece Leather Sectional Seating Group
By Martin Visser, 't Spectrum Bergeijk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Dutch manufacturer 't Spectrum, the SZ13 seating system by Martin Visser pairs tubular chrome frames with thick sling-style leather seats and backrests. The three-piece g...
Chrome
Cy Mann Serpentine Biomorphic Sectional Sofa
By Cy Mann
Located in Redding, CT
Cy Mann Designers collection Serpentine Biomorphic Sectional Sofa. Classic Mid Century style. In a blue/ purple chenille. Comes with 5 sections plus the ottoman. Structurally sound ...
Metal
Mah Jong sofa in iced blue cotton velvet by Roche Bobois, France, 1970s
Located in amstelveen, NL
Roche Bobois Mah Jong modular sofa, ice blue/green cotton velvet, Hans Hopfer, 1970s. Early edition reupholstered Mah Jong sofa set by Hans Hopfer, designed in 1971 for Roche Bobois...
Fabric
Kroehler "PlayPen" or "Galaxy Pit Sectional Sofa", 11 Sections in Dark Gray
Located in Dallas, TX
1970s pit sectional sofa by Kroehler. Dubbed the Galaxy Pit or Playpen sectional, this sectional is versatile and can be arranged in countless ways. ...
Upholstery
Joe Colombo 'Multichair' in Orange 'Sprinkles Kvadrat' for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Multichair' in orange 'Sprinkles Kvadrat' for B-Line Multichair is a convertible system consisting of two individual elements that can easily turn into a conversation/r...
Fabric
$3,280Sale Price / set|40% Off
Italian Design COROLLA Leather Sectional Sofa by I.P.E. Italy 1970's
By IPE
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Midcentury Modern Italian Design 'COROLLA' Leather Sectional Sofa by I.P.E. Italy 1970's. Marked on the bottom. Cognac leather on chrome metal frame with detachable arm rests...
Metal
Mid Century Modern Style Four Piece Sectional Sofa
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Mid Century Modern style four piece sectional sofa with 2 contoured end units and 2 curved center units that offers ample seating. The sectional with button tufted backs, foam fill...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
Vintage Walnut Sectional Sofa by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates
By Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Discover a masterpiece of 1960s American design with this stunning Adrian Pearsall sectional sofa, crafted for Craft Associates. This is more than seating, it’s a statement piece tha...
Fabric, Formica, Walnut, Lacquer
Minotti Hamilton Sectional Sofa on Chrome Base.
By Minotti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Hamilton sectional by Minotti, custom-ordered in the 2010s. Composed of three modular elements, the design rests on a smoked chrome base with a chaise that can be positioned to eit...
Chrome
Original Lara Sofa by Pamio, Toso and Massari for Stilwood, Italy, 1960s
By Mario Bellini, Pierre Paulin, Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso, Stilwood
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An original Lara sofa by Roberto Pamio, Renato Toso and Noti Massari for Stilwood, Italy 1950s/1960s. Newly reupholstered in a premium, pure Alpaca wool fabric. Ships worldwide.
Foam
Mah Jong sectional sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois (1970s) ink blue velvet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mah Jong sectional sofa by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois (1970s) reupholstered in ink blue velvet. Sublime nine piece set, endlessly modular, just in from east coast auction. Viewabl...
Velvet, Foam
Milo Baughman Large Pit Sectional with 11 Pieces
Located in Dallas, TX
This sofa is very versatile and can be arranged in numerous configurations. The listing measurements are for the sofa as configured in lead photo. Each corner piece measures 33" W x ...
Upholstery, Wood
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Sky Blue Velvet, 1972, Set of 6
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of six Camaleonda modular sofa elements with backrest, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia and produced in Italy in the 1970s. This iconic seating system is one of the most...
Velvet, Foam
$19,541Sale Price|20% Off
Lara modular sofa designed by Pamio, Toso and Massari for Stilwood 1968
By Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso, Noti Massari
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Rare modular sofa model Lara designed by Roberto Pamio, Renato Toso and Noti Massari in 1968 for Stilwood. Polyurethane rubber frame, cotton bouclé fabric, restored, excellent condit...
Cotton, Rubber
1980s Serpentine Sectional Sofa by Carter Furniture
Located in Elkton, MD
Exceptional two-piece sectional sofa by Carter Furniture, featuring a sculptural serpentine form inspired by the work of Vladimir Kagan. The design emphasizes flowing curves, generou...
Upholstery
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa for B&B Italia, Sky Blue Velvet, 1972, Set of 5
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of five Camaleonda modular sofa elements with backrest, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia and produced in Italy in the 1970s. This iconic seating system is one of the...
Velvet, Foam
$2,246Sale Price|25% Off
Mid-Century Modern to Modern & Hollywood Regency 2 Piece Angled Sectional Sofa
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning Mid-Century Modern to modern & Hollywood Regency white fabric two piece angled sectional sofa with square tapered wood legs. Beautiful c...
Fabric, Wood
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, 1970, Set of 3
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of three. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintage e...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" Sofa for B&B Italia, Green Velvet, Set of 5
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini "Camaleonda" modular sofa for B&B Italia, green velvet, Italy, 1970, set of five. "Camaleonda" is an icon, rediscovered. Our atelier carefully restored this vintag...
Velvet, Plastic
Mario Marenco for Arflex Four-Seater Sofa in Blue Woolen Upholstery
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Arflex, modular four-seater sofa model 'Marechiaro', wool, plastic, metal, Italy, circa 1976. This well-designed sofa by Mario Ma...
Metal
1970s Milo Baughman in Jack Lenor Larsen Blue Brown Lattice Velvet Sectional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Extremely rare two pieces sectional by Milo Baughman upholstered in Jack Lenor Larsen fabric.. This beautiful cotton velvet cut lattice sectional is statement piece which is also com...
Velvet, Wood