Mission Dining Arm Chairs
Antique Late 19th Century American Mission Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Oak
Late 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century American Colonial Dining Room Chairs
Maple
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Club Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Lounge Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Pedestals
Brass, Steel
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Early 20th Century Louis XV Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Wood
2010s Austrian Jugendstil Chandeliers and Pendants
Silk
20th Century American Regency Dining Room Chairs
Burl, Fabric, Wood
Antique 1870s English Windsor Chairs
Oak
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Faux Leather
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Center Tables
Oak
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Sofas
Upholstery
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases
Copper
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Mid-20th Century Finnish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
Birch
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables
Copper
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century Country Windsor Chairs
Elm
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s Indian Rustic Armchairs
Cane, Teak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
Late 20th Century Mission Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Cherry
Vintage 1980s Dining Room Chairs
Wood
Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Club Chairs
Leather, Oak
Early 20th Century Jacobean Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
Velvet, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary American Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Cherry
Vintage 1980s American Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
Vintage 1910s American William and Mary Dining Room Sets
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Brass
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Regency Dining Room Chairs
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1980s North American Neoclassical Dining Room Chairs
Brass
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Beech
Late 20th Century American Mission Dining Room Sets
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1980s American Arts and Crafts Armchairs
Leather, Oak
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 ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
Dining room chairs with arms require more space than armless ones.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A dining chair with arms is called a carver chair or elbow chair. It is a traditional dining chair with arms added to it for a more structured look and is a popular option for dining seats for a spot to comfortably rest your arms. Shop a selection of dining chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Dining chairs without arms are called side chairs. Their counterpart, the armchair, is often found at the head of the table, with the side chairs filling in the seats along the side of the table. Shop a collection of side chairs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dining room chairs with arms are simply called armchairs. They are not to be confused with armchairs used in seating areas. A dining chair without arms is a side chair. You'll find a collection of antique and vintage dining chairs on 1stDibs.
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