Royere Polar
20th Century French Armchairs
Upholstery, Wood
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s American Modern Swivel Chairs
Wood, Upholstery, Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Mahogany, Cork
Late 20th Century American Lounge Chairs
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Textile, Wood
Late 20th Century French Chairs
Vintage 1950s Italian Art Deco Armchairs
Wool, Oak
Late 20th Century French Sofas
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Velvet
Late 20th Century American Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric
Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Sofas
Leather
People Also Browsed
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Mirrors and Full-Length Mirrors
Brass
Vintage 1960s Armchairs
Bamboo, Wicker
Vintage 1970s American Modern Lounge Chairs
Fabric, Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s Floor Lamps
Brass, Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet, Beech
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bouclé, Wood, Cherry
Vintage 1940s Danish Art Deco Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Pine, Plywood
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Ceramic, Glass, Oak
Vintage 1930s European Art Deco Armchairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Console Tables
Wrought Iron
2010s North American Side Tables
Oak
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail...
Reclaimed Wood
Vintage 1970s French Brutalist Sideboards
Elm
Mid-20th Century American Adirondack Side Tables
Wood
Vintage 1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
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.
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The boho-chic Enchanted Forest Swing, handmade by marginalized women from Turkey and Syria, is uplifting in every way.