Purple Tub Chair
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Metal, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
Wood
2010s Italian Benches
Textile
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Desks and Writing Tables
Brass
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Wood
2010s Lebanese Modern Side Tables
Silver, Brass, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Sofas
Velvet, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Fabric, Velvet, Lacquer, Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Benches
Velvet, Wood, Ebony
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Benches
Oak, Walnut
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Straw
2010s Italian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
Alabaster, Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Polyester
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Brass
2010s Lebanese Modern Side Tables
Silver, Brass, Copper
Late 20th Century Wingback Chairs
Leather
2010s Italian Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Alabaster, Aluminum, Brass
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Club Chairs
Upholstery
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Lounge Chairs
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Swivel Chairs
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Chrome
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
Upholstery
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
Steel
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Living Room Sets
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1970s American Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
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.
- How old are tub chairs?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There is no official record of when tub chairs were first invented, but one of the first recorded ones was used by King Louis XV of France. It is estimated that tub chairs have been around for over 250 years. Browse a selection of comfortable tub chairs from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What are tub chairs called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Tub chairs are usually called bucket chairs in the U.S. The upholstered chair design includes a curved back attached to sloping arms, a boxy seat cushion and square wood legs. You can find a variety of tub chairs on 1stDibs.
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.