Oyster Chair Ottoman
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Swivel Chairs
Velvet
20th Century American Chesterfield Wingback Chairs
Brass
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
1990s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s European Post-Modern Side Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
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21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Textile
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Club Chairs
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary American American Classical Beds and Bed F...
Wood
Vintage 1950s English Armchairs
Leather
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
Aluminum, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Footstools
Leather
Vintage 1940s European Scandinavian Modern Club Chairs
Sheepskin, Beech
Antique 1880s English Kilim Armchairs
Upholstery, Hardwood
Vintage 1980s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Carrara Marble, Metal, Brass
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Mohair, Foam, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Center Tables
Wood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s French Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Steel
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Wingback Chairs
Linen, Wood
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
20th Century French Provincial Club Chairs
Linen, Upholstery, Wood, Down
Antique 19th Century French Louis XV Chaise Longues
Linen, Wood, Down
20th Century French Provincial Armchairs
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
Linen, Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
Linen, Walnut, Down
Early 20th Century French Louis XVI Chaise Longues
Linen, Upholstery, Wood, Down, Feathers
2010s Dutch Modern Armchairs
Fabric
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Metal
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Ottomans and Poufs
Steel
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Antique 19th Century American Bergere Chairs
Vintage 1940s Bergere Chairs
Wood, Linen, Down
20th Century American Lounge Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s French Armchairs
Steel
Vintage 1950s French Armchairs
Fabric, Wool
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 ExpertJune 30, 2023No, chairs and ottomans don’t have to match. While you can often purchase matching ottomans for chairs, there is no rule about how to style furniture. Pieces with a similar shape, color or material can coordinate even if they aren’t a matched set. Find a range of chairs and ottomans on 1stDibs.
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