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.
$880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Chrome 'Paperclip' Kinetics Stools
By Kinetics
Located in Toronto, ON
Very cool chrome stools made in the 1970s by Kinetics. Referred to as 'k700' stool, the tubular stool was originally designed by Philip Salmon ans Hugh Hamilton. This midcentury mode...
Chrome
Set of 4 Pcs. Mid-Century Italian Brass Bar Stools/Chairs
Located in Vilnius, LT
Set of 4 pcs. vintage Italian bar stools. The base is made of brass and steel with brown natural leather upholstery. Leather is in very good condition, no cracks or other defects. Fl...
Metal, Brass
Bench in Dedar Lilaz Fabric, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was design...
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
Pair of Chromed Steel 'Cube' Stools by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen
By Verner Panton, Fritz Hansen
Located in London, GB
A pair of chromed tteel 'Cube' Stools by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen. Each formed from a continuous chromed steel wire frame with a loose upholstered cushion. The design was orig...
Steel, Chrome
Signed Cleo Baldon Terra Wrought Iron Bar Counter X Stools Mid Century Modern
By Terra, Cleo Baldon
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of rare Campaign style / X-Bar or Counter Stools (model number XBS-35) by Southern California architect/designer Cleo Baldon/Terra Furniture. Designed in 1964, constructed of wr...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Pair of Benches in Dedar Lilaz Fabric, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was design...
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
Charlotte Perriand Style Rattan Bar Stool by Dirk van Sliedregt
By Rohe Noordwolde, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Woven rattan bar stool produced by Rohe Noordwolde and designed by Dirk van Sliedregt in a style closely associated with Charlotte Perriand's iconic rattan seating. The seat and back...
Metal
Set of Four Charlotte Perriand Style Wicker Counter Stools with Chrome Legs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, Charlotte Perriand style counter-height stools combine woven wicker with chrome tubular steel, made by Gebr. Jonkers during the 1960s. One of Dutch Mid-Century Mod...
Chrome
Set of 2 Padova Counter Height Stools by Hank Loewenstein, Italy, c. 1970s
By Hank Loewenstein, Roy McMakin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of 2 "Post-Modern" Padova Counter Height Stools by Hank Loewenstein, Italy, c. 1970s ( in the style of Roy McMakin ) Yellow Lacquer Beech Frames with Original Rush Seats and Cu...
Rush, Beech, Lacquer
Italian Stools or Side Tables in Solid Pine and Sheepskin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Stools, pine, sheepskin, Italy, 1960s Charming set of stools made in Italy during the 1960s. Constructed from solid pine wood, these pieces showcase simplicity and pure design, emph...
Sheepskin, Pine
Italian Mid Century Modern Sculptural Graphic Walnut & Taupe Mohair Bench
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid Century Modern walnut and taupe bench was realized in Italian, circa 1950. It features a sculptural high gloss walnut base composed of two adjoining inverse arch "v ...
Velvet, Walnut
Argentine Designer, Counter Stools, Wood, Argentina, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of three dark-stained and hand-carved wood counter stools or bar stools designed and produced in Argentina, c. 1970s. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensions (in...
Wood
Time Life Walnut Stool by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Dronten, NL
A fine lathe-turned wood stool model C designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Vitra. Perfect condition, marked with label. Charles and Ray Eames, a dynamic husband-and-wife duo, revo...
Walnut
$775 / item
Sturdy Mid-century Bar Stools in Solid Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar stools, beech, metal, Europe, 1960s A set of sturdy bar stools made in Europe in the 1960s. Crafted from solid beech, these stools feature a sturdy construction and a timeless d...
Metal
A. Brandt Ranch Oak, Stool, Fabric, Oak, USA, 1950s
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
A oak and green fabric stool or ottoman produced by A. Brandt Ranch Oak, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to vintage fabric consistent with age and use. Minimal wear to wood frame. Overall Dim...
Fabric, Oak
Set of 3 Cleo Baldon “Terra” Bar Stools, 1970s Architectural Iron & Sheepskin
By Cleo Baldon, Terra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural and architecturally refined set of three “Terra” bar stools designed and manufactured in the 1970s by Cleo Baldon. These stools exemplify Baldon’s signature balance of s...
Steel
Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Benetton’ Stool in Leather and Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Benetton Office, folding stool or ottoman, leather, steel, Italy, 1985. This stool is designed for the office of the clothing brand Benetton by Afra & Tobia ...
Steel
2/4 MID-CENTURY-MODERN STOOLS in RECONSTRUCTION Style, France 1950
By Marcel Gascoin, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier
Located in PARIS, FR
An interesting pair (from a set of 4 pieces) Modern stools, Mid-Century-Modern, Modernist, Constructivist, Free Form, architectural "Compas" wood structures with slightly round and b...
Wood
Mid-century Bar Stools in Pine and Soft Green Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar stools, pine, fabric, Europe, 1960s This striking set of European bar stools from the 1960s is a beautiful example of robust, honest craftsmanship. Executed in solid pine, the s...
Fabric, Pine
Original Italian BAR / COUNTER STOOL 1950s Solid Brass rosé Velvet upholstered
Located in Landshut, BY
The stool is of Italian origin and was produced in the 1950s. It is composed of solid brass, velvet, and new upholstery. The new upholstery consists of high-quality foam and is co...
Brass
Set of Three Designs for Leisure Swivel Barstools
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Set of Three Designs for Leisure Swivel Barstools
Metal
Charlotte Perriand Stool in Ash and Straw
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Charlotte Perriand, stool, part of the '19' series, ash, straw, France, 1950s A beautiful design by Charlotte Perriand: this stool, a piece from the 1950s that embodies natural beauty and impeccable design. Crafted with precision, the stool features a sturdy ash frame, boasting four straight, thick legs...
Straw, Ash
$2,750 / item
Pierre Chapo 'S01' Stools in Solid Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, stools, model 'S01A', solid elm, France, design 1962 This set of modernized farm stools have a robust and rustic character and showcases the characteristics of Pierre ...
Elm
Set of Two Mid Century Vintage Beige Melange Stools, Edmund Homa, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful beige high quality upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of t...
Fabric, Wood, Beech
Italian Designer, Counter Stools, Brass, Fabric, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of cast brass and white fabric counter stools or barstools, designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Reupholstered at some point in recent history. Minor imperfections on m...
Brass
Pierre Chapo S31A Stool in Solid Elm, Chapo Creation, France, 2025
By Chapo Creation, Pierre Chapo
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking three-legged stool is the Model S31, designed by Pierre Chapo in 1974. It features a cross-legged base and a round seat, both crafted from solid elm wood. The stool can...
Elm
Set of Four Rustic French Mid-Century Modern Counter Bar Stools in Solid Oak
Located in Den Haag, NL
Set of Four Rustic French Mid-Century Modern Counter Bar Stools in Solid Oak with Rush seats.
Rush, Oak
Set of Three Bruno Rey for Dietiker Light Birch Bar Stools with Chrome Footrests
Set of 3 beech bar stools designed by Bruno Rey for Dietiker. Small backrests and round, chrome footrests. Historically, created from the most successful Swiss chair ever produced, 'the 3300 chair...
Chrome
FORMA Stool in Special Walnut and Shearling by Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
Forma Stool by Carlos Solano The Forma Stool by Carlos Solano is a sculptural study in balance, craftsmanship, and materiality. Defined by its hand-sculpted solid walnut base and in...
Sheepskin, Oak, Walnut
Pair of Wooden Stools by Pierre Gautier Delaye, France, 1960s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
A pair of vintage solid wood stools designed by Pierre Gautier Delaye, manufactured in France during the 1960s. The design features a distinctive molded seat composed of two distinct...
Wood
Mobichalet Brutalist Bar Stools in Blond Pine Wood and Iron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mobichalet, bar stools, pine, Belgium, 1950s. These high stools are produced by Mobichalet in the 1950s. The stools are all slightly different in form which gives them their rustic ...
Wrought Iron
Riazór, Counter Stools, Metal, Vinyl, Brazil, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of three black-lacquered metal and off-white vinyl counter stools or bar stools produced by Riazór, São Paulo, Brazil, c. 1950s. Vintage upholstery ideally replaced. Overall ...
Metal
Set of Two Blue Velvet 20th Century Triangle Stools, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful velour upholstery in blue color. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, charac...
Velvet, Wood
Stools by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings in Walnut and Velvet, C. 1950s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Westport, CT
This elegant stools by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb, circa 1950s, showcases the refined sophistication of Mid-Century Modern design. Fully restored by the expert craftsmen at...
Velvet, Walnut
George Nelson for Herman Miller Vanity Stool
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find George Nelson for Herman Miller vanity bench, newly reupholstered in mohair fabric. This example is in very good, clean and ready to ...
Mohair, Wood
French, Set Of 2 Twisted Grape-vine Roots Bar Stools 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair Grape-vine Roots Bar Stools . A pair of rustic art high stools made from branches of antique vine wood that is especially old, and thick, with dramatic expressive character an...
Walnut
Tony Paul Large Pair of Stools or Side Tables in Wicker and Wood, USA, 1950s
By Tony Paul
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning pair of organic stools or side tables fully made in hand-woven wicker and beech wood. These stylish stools were designed by Tony Paul and produced in the US during the 50s. ...
Wicker, Rattan, Beech
Mid-Century Grass Green Velvet Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful fresh green color velvet upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. We can prepare this pair also in another color of fabric...
Velvet, Beech
Set of Two Camel Boucle Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. The stools consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Stools were designed b...
Fabric
Mid-Century Tall Modernist Phillipe Starck Inspired Dark Stained Bar Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modernist extra tall bar stools with dark walnut stain. These stools have a short backrest and exaggerated legs with a footrest measuring 13.375” off the ground. In original conditio...
Wood
Bench in Camel Boucle by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was designed by Vintola...
Fabric, Beech, Bouclé
Lisa Johansson-Pape Clover Stool, Pine, Swedish Mid-Century, 1970s
Located in Bochum, NRW
Lisa Johansson-Pape, Swedish Mid-Century Modern Clover Stool, Pine, Sweden 1970s A pine 'Clover' stool designed by Lisa Johansson-Pape for Stockmann AB in Sweden circa 1970s. Dimensi...
Pine
IKEA Frosta Stools Set of 3, Beech Wood, Mid-Century Modern
By IKEA
Located in Den Haag, NL
Frosta Beech Stools .by Ikea 1980s Good condition . not in the assortment anymore . stack able .
Beech
Italian BAR COUNTER STOOL vibrant deep blue 50s 60s Style Iron / Brass / Velvet
Located in Landshut, BY
Italian DEEP BLUE VELVET HQ UPHOLSTERED BAR / COUNTER STOOL DEEP BLUE VELVET 1950s / 1960s style Lacquered iron / Solid brass / Velvet / Upholstered
Brass, Iron
Set of Two Faux Leather Brown Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. Beautiful brown high quality faux leather. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic o...
Fabric
Rare Midcentury Stool Produced by Mario Sabot, Italy 70s
By Mario Sabot
Located in Lucija, SI
Very rare stool designed produce by Mario Sabot Italy in the 70s Lacquared wood and leather.
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Light Creme Boucle Vintage Stool, Edmund Homa, 1960s
By Edmund Homa
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Stool was designed by Edmund Homa...
Bouclé, Beech
Pierre Chapo S31B Stool in Solid Elm, Chapo Creation, France
By Chapo Creation, Pierre Chapo
Located in The Hague, NL
This striking three-legged stool is the model S31 designed by Pierre Chapo in 1974. The cross legged base and round seat are in solid elm wood. This stool also (could work) works wel...
Elm
Set of Four Swivel Stools, Copper-Plated Metal with Oxblood Leather, American
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A striking set of four low-profile swivel bar stools in copper-plated metal with original oxblood leather upholstered seats, produced for the American commercial hospitality market during the golden age of the supper club and cocktail lounge. The warm rosy-copper finish and compact, refined proportions place these firmly within the best Mid-Century American bar seating tradition — the kind of stool that furnished the finest hotel bars, steak houses, and private clubs of the late Eisenhower and early Kennedy eras. Each stool features a generously proportioned circular padded seat above a slim central post, with a circular footrest ring braced by a clean cross-support. The flared trumpet base provides stability with an elegance typical of the period's best commercial seating. The seats swivel freely. The design reflects the tighter, more refined silhouette characteristic of late 1950s and early 1960s American bar furniture — before the heavier forms of the 1970s took hold — and anticipates the rose gold aesthetic by several decades. All four retain their original copper-plated finish showing a pleasing natural variation and patina consistent with age. The oxblood seats display surface crazing consistent with honest vintage use. Consistent in quality and character with production by American commercial seating manufacturers such as Chromcraft, Shelby Williams, or Admiral Chrome Corp...
Metal, Copper
Alvar Aalto Model 60 Birch Stacking Stools by Artek
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933 and manufactured by Artek, the Model 60 stool is built around the L-leg — a laminated birch leg bent into an L-shape that connects directly to the cir...
Birch, Bentwood
Bauche Chairs by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1960, Set of 6
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Set of six Bauche No.19 lounge chairs, designed by Charlotte Perriand and produced by Steph Simon in the 1950s. This model reflects Perriand's interest in natural materials and esse...
Rush, Ash
Mid Century Burgundy Bar Stool Velvet Nouvelles Vagues by Dedar, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful, well crafted dark green upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, ...
Velvet
Giuseppe Pagano Pair of Italian Oak and Woven Rope Stools, Italy, 1940s
By Giuseppe Pagano Pogatschnig
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous and unique pair of stools entirely crafted in solid oak and completed by beautifully hand-woven rope seats. These refined stools were designed by the mastery of Giuseppe Pa...
Rope, Wood, Oak
Set of 3 Paperclip Model 'K700' Bar Stools by Kinetics in Grey Enamel
By Hugh Hamilton & Philip Salmon, Kinetics
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the late 1960s by Canadians Hugh Hamilton and Philip Salmon, these chairs were produced by Kinetics, which was eventually acquired by Haworth, who continues to produce re...
Enamel, Steel
Midcentury Rattan and Bamboo Stool Pouf Attributed to Tito Agnoli, Italy 1960s
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury beautiful stool pouf or side table attributed to Tito Agnoli. This fantastic Stool was made in Italy during the 1960s. The workmanship of these stools is exceptional, th...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Japanese chestnut wood Stool Inspired by French Stereotomy Craftsmanship
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This stool is crafted from Japanese chestnut wood by a Japanese carpenter who studied French stereotomy (L’art du Trait), a geometric drafting tradition passed down among French maso...
Wood, Cherry
Mid-Century Pair of Roger Tallon Ts Folding Stools for Sentou, France 1970s
By Roger Tallon
Located in Roma, IT
Lovely pair of foldable stools designed by Roger Tallon and produced by Sentou in France in the 1970s. These TS stools are fully made in a beautiful maple wood and were ingeniously...
Wood, Maple
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Woven Rattan and Black Iron Bar or Counter Stools
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A charming pair of Mid-Century Modern bar stools featuring handwoven natural rattan tops supported by sleek black iron frames. The circular woven seats display a tightly executed spi...
Iron
American Designer, Counter Stools, Bamboo, Velvet, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four bamboo and green velvet counter stools designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Reupholstered in brand new velvet. Overall Dimensions (inches): 31.0"H x 15.0"W x 15...
Velvet, Bamboo
$200Sale Price|55% Off
Set of 3 Bamboo Camping Chairs, 1960's
Located in Bern, CH
Set of 3 vintage 1960's Bamboo Camping Stools. Bamboo folding base with new seat strapping using original late 1960's / early 1970's heavy cotton material. Good, stable structure an...
Fabric, Bamboo