Scandanavian Living Room Chairs
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Teak
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Faux Leather, Wood
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Rosewood, Upholstery
Vintage 1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Oak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Teak
Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Hardwood
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Oak, Leather
Vintage 1960s Danish Living Room Sets
Teak
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Velvet, Hardwood
Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Canvas, Wood
Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Canvas, Wood
Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Wool, Teak
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Sheepskin
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Rosewood
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Sheepskin
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Sheepskin
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Wool, Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Wool
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Teak
Vintage 1950s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Upholstery, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Travertine, Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Teak
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Teak, Fabric
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Pine
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery, Beech
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Leather
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Wood
Vintage 1950s European Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Cane, Rattan
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Wool, Oak
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Oak
Vintage 1970s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Living Room Sets
Steel, Chrome
Mid-20th Century Living Room Sets
Leather
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Living Room Sets
Fabric, Oak
Late 20th Century Thai Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Rosewood
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Faux Leather, Beech, Rosewood
Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Pine, Leather
Vintage 1940s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Wood
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Russian and Scandinavi...
Wool
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Papercord, Wood
Vintage 1960s European Mid-Century Modern Russian and Scandinavian Rugs
Wool
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Cowhide, Leather, Teak
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
Velvet, Teak
Vintage 1940s American Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Cotton, Wood
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Beech, Teak
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Scandanavian Living Room Chairs For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Scandanavian Living Room Chairs?
A Close Look at Scandinavian Modern Furniture
Scandinavian modernism is perhaps the warmest and most organic iteration of modernist design. The work of the designers associated with vintage Scandinavian modern furniture was founded on centuries-old beliefs in both quality craftsmanship and the ideal that beauty should enhance even the humblest accessories of daily life.
ORIGINS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged in the 1930s
- Originated primarily in Denmark, Sweden and Finland
- Introduced in the United States in mid-20th century
- Informed by the Bauhaus and modernism; influenced American mid-century modernism
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Bold, clean lines and simple, sturdy symmetries
- Use of natural materials — native woods such as pine, ash and beech
- Open, airy spaces
- Promotion of functionality
- Emphasis on craftsmanship; rooted in cabinetry profession and traditional construction techniques
- Minimal ornamentation (little to no embellishment)
- A neutral or light color palette owing to prominence of light woods
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Alvar Aalto
- Hans Wegner
- Kaare Klint
- Arne Jacobsen
- Greta Magnusson Grossman
- Finn Juhl
- Arne Vodder
- Verner Panton
ICONIC SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The gentle, organic contours that are typical of Scandinavian design appear in the furnishings and decor created by Danish, Finnish and Swedish designers not as a stylistic gesture, but rather as a practical, ergonomic — and, as importantly, elegant — response to the human form.
Each nation produced exceptional talents in all areas of the applied arts, yet each had its forté. Sweden was home to Greta Magnusson Grossman and Bruno Mathsson — creators of the classic Grasshopper lighting series and Berlin daybed, respectively — but the country excelled most notably at ceramics. In the 1920s at the great Gustavsberg porcelain manufactory, Wilhelm Kåge introduced pieces in the Scandinavian style based on influences from folklore to Cubism; his skills were passed on to his versatile and inspired pupils Berndt Friberg and Stig Lindberg.
Likewise, Finland produced a truly ingenious Scandinavian modern furniture designer in the architect Alvar Aalto, a master at melding function and artistic form in works like the Paimio chair, created in collaboration with his first wife, Aino. Yet Finnish glassware was pre-eminent, crafted in expressive, sculptural designs by Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva.
The Danes excelled at chairs. Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen were exemplars of the country’s facility with wood, particularly teak.
Wegner created such iconic pieces as the Round chair and the Wishbone chair; Jacobsen — while the revolutionary architect and furniture innovator produced the best-selling plywood Ant chair — designed two classic upholstered pieces of the 1950s: the Swan chair and Egg chair. The list of great Danes could go on and on, including Finn Juhl, a stylistic maverick and maker of the bold Chieftain chair; Poul Kjaerholm, with his lean metal-and-rattan aesthetic; and Verner Panton, who introduced a vibrant Pop note into international design.
Today, decades after their heyday, the prolific, ever-evolving Scandinavian modernists continue to amaze and delight, and interior designers all over the world use their pieces to bring warmth to any given space.
On 1stDibs, you will note both instantly recognizable vintage Scandinavian modern chairs, sofas, rugs and tables — those that have earned iconic status over time — and many new discoveries.
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 28, 2021For a living room, there are many types of chairs that can qualify as “comfortable” depending on individual preferences. When choosing a comfortable chair, consider the seat, which supports your weight, the back, which provides lumbar support, and the arms, which are especially important if you use the chair for long hours. Comfortable chairs are generally popular furniture pieces, but Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Art Deco styles are often sought at 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023No, accent chairs in a living room don't have to match. In fact, you're free to mix and match accent chairs as you see fit. To tie the room together, choose chairs that have something in common, such as color or materials. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of accent chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, you can use a lounge chair in a living room. In fact, the chairs are especially well-suited to use in living rooms. After all, the purpose of a lounge chair is to allow you to lean back and relax, and many people retire to their living rooms to unwind at the end of the day. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of antique and vintage lounge chairs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024Many people call a lounge chair for the living room a chaise longue, meaning "long chair” in French. It's also perfectly acceptable to call a living room chair a lounge chair, as the term doesn't only apply to outdoor furniture. Find a wide variety of lounge chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023What kind of chairs you put in a living room is up to you. Many people furnish living rooms with accent chairs, which are crafted with both comfort and style in mind. If you have a desk in your living room, you may want to place a stationary or rolling desk chair in front of it. Since there are no rules for decorating, you're free to use dining chairs, benches and stools for living room seating. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of chairs from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023To choose an accent chair for a living room, first measure the floor space available for your chair and the height of the seats of the other furniture in the room. You'll generally want to select a chair that will fit your floor plan and has a seat height that is no more than 4 inches taller or shorter than the other furnishings in the seating area. Next, consider the style and color scheme of your room, looking for chairs that will match. Once you have narrowed down the options, compare materials and prices to select the chair that will suit your preferences, coordinate with the rest of your space and fit your budget. Explore a wide range of accent chairs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 12, 2023What big living room chairs are called depends on their style. A chair that has an integrated footrest is a lounge chair or a chaise longue, while one with a tall back that curves in at the top is a wingback chair. Chairs that feature footrests that raise and lower with the touch of a button or pull of a lever are recliners. A chair-and-a-half is an extra-wide living room chair with a deep seat. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of living room chairs.
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