Priority Seating
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary European Armchairs
Leather, Fabric, Wood
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Leather, Textile, Hardwood
2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs
Leather, Textile, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
2010s Sofas
Upholstery
2010s Armchairs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bouclé, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
2010s Modern Chairs
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Fabric, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Sofas
Fabric, Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Sofas
Bouclé, Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Benches
Bronze
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Stools
Marble
Antique 17th Century English Rustic Chairs
Walnut
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Sofas
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Armchairs
Brass
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Sofas
Fabric, Wood
2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Armchairs
Velvet, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Sofas
Linen, Beech
2010s Portuguese Modern Armchairs
Brass
2010s Canadian Organic Modern Armchairs
Ash
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Leather
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Plywood, Velvet
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Rosewood
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
Chrome
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Side Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
Vintage 1950s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Wingback Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Walnut
2010s Dutch Modern Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum
2010s Dutch Modern Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Desks and Writing Tables
Wood
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Side Tables
Wood
1960s Black and White Photography
Photographic Paper
21st Century and Contemporary German Swivel Chairs
Aluminum
2010s German Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary German Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
Aluminum
21st Century and Contemporary American Craftsman Dining Room Tables
Chestnut, Wood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs
Wood
Antique 18th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs
Wood
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs
Elm
Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Armchairs
Elm
- 1
Priority Seating For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Priority Seating?
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.
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Fred Rigby’s Modular Seating Can Be Configured in So Many Handy Ways
The plush Cove Slipper 2.5 Seater sofa is just one of many convenient combinations from the London-based maker.
This Chubby-Chic Quilted Stool Stands on Its Own Two Feet
Sam Klemick's cool stool is edgy, cozy and environmentally sustainable all at once.
Riotous Shapes and Colors Have Made Uchronia’s Designs the Toast of Paris
Julien Sebban’s energetic design collective is radically reshaping the look of 21st-century European furniture and interiors.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Rock Your Cares Away on This Sunny Hand-Crocheted Swing
The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Eileen Gray’s Famed Cliffside Villa in the South of France Is Returned to Its Modernist Glory
After years of diligent restoration, E-1027, the designer-cum-architect’s marriage of romance and modernism, is finally complete.