$2,514
H 28.35 in W 82.68 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Scandinavian Sofa Bed, 1960s Mid-Century Scandinavian Sofa Bed, 1960
Located in Parma, IT
Mid-century Scandinavian sofa bed, 1960s. Rosewood structure with base, padding and fabric
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Scandinavian Sofa / Day Bed by Ingmar Relling
By Ingmar Relling, Ekornes
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage Scandinavian sofa / day bed by Ingmar Relling. This was made
Bouclé, Birch
$1,548
H 27.25 in W 83 in D 31.13 in
Mid-century Danish Modern Scandinavian Modern Teak Daybed Sofa Bed, 1970s
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Danish Modern Teak Wood Sofa Day Bed Fabric orange with a gray bolster
Fabric, Teak
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 74.81 in D 35.44 in
Scandinavian Modern day bed from ALF SVENSSON & YNGVAR SANDSTRÖM model Carina
By Alf Svensson & Yngve Sandström, Alf Svensson
Located in Skå, SE
Scandinavian design. Crafted meticulously from premium oak, this day bed seamlessly marries form and function
Fabric, Oak
Unavailable
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 35.04 in
Børge Mogensen Sofa or Day Bed in Oak model 191 made by Fredericia Stolefabrik
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Brussels, BE
Large sofa or day bed in oak. The original fabric is still in good condition but can be changed in
Oak
Unavailable
H 25.6 in W 76.78 in D 35.04 in
Børge Mogensen Sofa or Day Bed in Oak model 191 made by Fredericia Stolefabrik
By Børge Mogensen
Located in Brussels, BE
Large sofa or day bed in oak. The original fabric is still in good condition but can be changed in
Oak
Sold
H 24.41 in W 76.38 in D 34.65 in
Scandinavian Daybed in stained Wood and Fabric for Horsens Møbelfabrik, Denmark
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Scandinavian sofa bed, produced by Horsens Møbelfabrik Denmark in the 1960s. The dark-stained
Fabric, Foam, Wood
1960s Scandinavian Folding Sofa Bed
Located in High Point, NC
A Scandinavian upholstered sofa from the 1960s. Scandinavian Modern design is famous in its blend
Bouclé, Wood
Scandinavian Modern Sofa Bed, Finland, 1940/1950s
Located in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Reclining sofa, manufactured in Finland, 1940/1950s. Stained birch frame, reupholstered with
Fabric, Birch
Vintage Scandinavian Sofa / Day Bed by Ingmar Relling
By Ingmar Relling, Svane Møbler Norway
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage Scandinavian sofa / day bed by Ingmar Relling. This was made
Fabric, Wood
Nanna Ditzel Children's Bed and Sofa
By Kolds Savvaerk, Nanna Ditzel
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Nanna Ditzel children's bed and sofa of Oregon pine mounted with loose blue cushions. Designed
Carl Malmsten Early Pine Sofa Bed, Sweden, 1940s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Utrecht, NL
sofa was originally created as a sofa bed, which is traceable in the frame’s structure. The back and
Fabric, Wood
Frits Henningsen Box-Form Mahogany Sofa-Bed, circa 1940
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
Frits Henningsen 1888-1954. Box-shaped sofa, mahogany. Front with rounded sled-form sides, tapered
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.93 in W 79.93 in D 29.53 in
Carl Malmsten Pine Sofa Bed and “Visingsö” Armchairs, Sweden 1940s
By Carl Malmsten, O.H. Sjögren
Located in Utrecht, NL
“Visingsö” armchairs. This “CM” signed sofa was originally created as a sofa bed, which is traceable in the
Fabric, Wood
Rare Sofa Bed by Yngve Ekström for Broby Industri AB, 1960s
By Yngve Ekström, Broby Industri AB
Located in Uppsala, SE
Sofa bed designed by Yngve Ekström in the 1960 for Broby Industri AB. The sofa is all original with
Fabric, Oak
Sold
H 22.84 in W 79.14 in L 22.84 in
Sofa Bed Upholstered with Green Wool Fabric and Legs in Teak, of Danish Design
Located in Lejre, DK
Sofa bed upholstered with green wool fabric and legs in teak, of Danish design from the 1950s. The
Wool, Teak
Scandinavian Sofa Bed in Oak and Multicolored Orange Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofabed in oak and fabric, Scandinavia 1950s. Sofa which could easily be transformed into a bed
Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Goran Malmvall Sofa Bed in Solid Pine
By Goran Malmvall
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Goran Malmvall, sofa with bed function, solid pine, metal, upholstery, Sweden, 1950s Versatile
Metal
Sold
H 16.93 in W 76.78 in D 33.47 in
Børge Mogensen Daybed Oak and Almond colored fabric, Fredericia Stolefabrik
By Fredericia Stolefabrik, Børge Mogensen
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Scandinavian modern sofa bed, Model 190, designed by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik
Fabric, Ash, Oak
Pair of Scandinavian Daybed, Teak and Velvet, 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Scandinavian sofa beds in teak and velvet fleeces based on a modernist base that seems to
Velvet
Sold
H 28.35 in W 85.83 in D 29.14 in
Scandinavian Mid Century Sofa Bed Designed by Yngve Ekstrom for Pastoe
By Yngve Ekström, Pastoe
Located in London, GB
Exceptional, rare sofa bed designed by Swedish icon, Yngve Ekstrom, for famed Dutch manufacturer
Teak, Upholstery
Alvar Aalto Sofa Bed
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Bern, CH
Alvar Aalto bed sofa with adjustable seat and back until you get a single bed. It´s made with
Steel
Danish "Minerva" Sofa or Day Bed, Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
By France & Søn, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Crockett, CA
The iconic "Minerva" Danish teak sofa was designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen and
Upholstery, Teak
Sold
H 28.35 in W 77.56 in D 28.35 in
1960's Mid Century Folding Sofa Bed by Miroslav Navratil for Drevopodnik Brno
By Drevopodnik mesta Brna, Miroslav Navratil
Located in Brno, CZ
This is an folding sofa bed designed by Miroslav Navratil and produced in Drevopodnik Brno in 1966
Fabric, Beech
Danish Mid Century Modern Oak Day Bed Sofa by Hans Wegner for Getama
By Hans J. Wegner, GETAMA
Located in Vancouver, BC
excellent original vintage condition -Back rest lifts and expands bed size -Shipping will be by blanket
Mid-Century Rosewood Corner Sofa/Bed, circa 1960
Located in BOSTON, MA
An ingenious Mid-Century Modern corner sofa/bed displaying a rosewood frame with upholstered
Cane, Rosewood
Danish Modern Day Bed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA
By GETAMA, Hans J. Wegner
Located in San Francisco, CA
This is a Mid-Century Modern teak sofa or daybed designed by Hans Wegner for GETAMA (model GE-258
Teak, Upholstery
$7,580 / item
H 70 in W 76 in D 12 in
Casey Lurie Studio Modern High "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
“Shelving can be the most mundane thing you own, or it can be the beautiful bones of a room as pleasing to see as anything it displays. Casey Lurie’s Primo system would be the latter...
Brass, Stainless Steel, Metal
$1,696Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 4.15 in W 5.35 in D 7.75 in
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' Verdigris Patinated Outdoor Sconce
By Örsjö Industri AB, Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Glendale, CA
Hans-Agne Jakobsson 'Mini-Tratten' verdigris patinated outdoor sconce. An exclusive made for U.S. and UL listed authorized re-edition of the classic Swedish design executed in rich v...
Metal
French Provincial Large Kitchen Island
By Bramble
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from solid wood and finished in a rich straw wash, this piece brings a touch of classic elegance to any kitchen area. The sturdy construction and ample storage make it both a...
Wood
$9,536 / set
H 76.97 in W 54.34 in D 12.01 in
PAIR OF LARGE MID CENTURY MODERN POUL HUNDEVAD 1960's DANISH TEAK OPEN BOOKCASES
By Poul Hundevad
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for this stunning pair of original, fully stamped Poul Hundevad mid century modern Danish Teak circa 1960 open librar...
Teak
$5,931
H 34.65 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Scandinavian Lounge Chair Esko Pajamies “Pele” for Lepokalusto, Finland, 1970s
By Esko Pajamies
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This lounge chair was manufactured by the Finnish furniture company, Lahden Lepokalusto Oy in the 1970s. The “Pele” lounge chair by Finnish designer Esko Pajamies isa very rare pie...
Suede, Oak
$6,168
H 28.35 in W 70.08 in D 38.59 in
Le Bambole sofa in velvet By Mario Bellini For B&B Italia, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, B&B Italia
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Beautiful Le Bambole sofa in coral/pink coloured velvet designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in the 1970s. This beautiful edition is reupholstered in a high quality cotton velve...
Velvet
$699 / item
H 20.48 in W 15.56 in D 1.78 in
Hand-Crafted Rattan Pencil Reed Wall Mirror, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Oxford, GB
This beautifully crafted wall mounted mirror is made of pencil reed rattan, providing a unique and elegant texture. Its durable design adds a touch of sophistication to any room whil...
Glass, Rattan
$3,558Sale Price|21% Off
H 26.78 in W 77.56 in D 34.65 in
Very Early and Rare Richard Stein Daybed for Knoll
By Richard Stein
Located in Munich, DE
Birch plywood with upholstered backrest and loose seat cushion, original finish to wood, reupholstered, foot pedal releases back which retracts to form a large sleeping surface.
Birch
Brazilian Modern Sofa, Percival Lafer 1960's
By Percival Lafer
Located in Uccle, BE
Sofa Mod. MP-13, 1960's Made by Lafer S. e Co, Sao Paulo Rosewood, chrome and faux leather H 70 x L219 x W80 x Seat Height 41Percival Lafer Mid-Century Brazilian sofa made of Walnut ...
Chrome
$2,205Sale Price|37% Off
H 32 in W 78.5 in D 35.75 in
1960s Vintage Bamboo Sofa / Day Bed With Gated Underneath Storage Area
Located in Germantown, MD
1960s vintage jumbo bamboo Sofa with gated underneath storage. Two large seat and back cushions in polyester with wear consistent with age and use, but no tear. Front lifts up as a g...
Bamboo, Rattan
$3,558 / item
H 31.5 in W 22.05 in D 22.84 in
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen, Safari Chair with ottoman
By Rud Rasmussen, Kaare Klint
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kaare Klint for Rud Rasmussen. Safari chair new upholstered with Vintage aniline leather. With ottoman. Frame in solid ash. Model Safari chair, made by Rud Rasmussen.
Leather, Ash
$16,484
H 32.29 in W 106.3 in D 82.68 in
Danish Design Minerva Sofa Set by Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard Nielsen Teak, 1950
By Peter Hvidt, France & Daverkosen, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Extremely rare & stunning! This fully original ''Minerva seating group'' by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for France & Daverkosen 1950. The design & luxurious feeling of this...
Chrome
$2,467Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 77.56 in D 34.65 in
Very rare and early Richard Stein Sofa / Daybed for Knoll
By Knoll, Richard Stein
Located in Munich, DE
All original. can be converted to a bed.
Fabric
Maurice Dufrêne for La Maitrise art deco tapestry 1922
By La Maitrise, Maurice Dufrêne
Located in Paris, IDF
Maurice Dufrene designed this tapestry for the studio La Maitrise, Les Galeries Lafayette, in Paris in 1922, just as he became the director of the studio. Crafted from handspun wool,...
Wool
Mid-Century Folding Sofa or Daybed, 1960's
Located in Praha, CZ
Mid-century folding sofa or daybed, 1960's. Made in Czechoslovakia Made of fabric, wood Original condition.
Fabric, Wood
$55,407Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 112 in W 170 in D 13.77 in
"Tecnica Library" Modular Shelving Bookcase by Jaume Tresserra for Dessie'
By Jaime Tresserra, Dessie Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Tecnica Library" is a shelving bookcase unit, designed by Jaume Tresserra and manufactured by Dessie', featuring six modules with antique nickel finished metallic parts provided wit...
Metal, Nickel
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
CHARACTERISTICS OF SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
SCANDINAVIAN MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
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.
Black leather, silk velvet cushions, breathable bouclé fabric — when shopping for antique or vintage sofas, today’s couch connoisseurs have much to choose from in terms of style and shape. But it wasn’t always thus.
The sofa is typically defined as a long upholstered seat that features a back and arms and is intended for two or more people. While the term “couch” comes from the Old French couche, meaning to lie down, and sofa has Eastern origins, both are forms of divan, a Turkish word that means an elongated cushioned seat. Bench-like seating in Ancient Greece, which was padded with soft blankets, was called klinai. No matter how you spell it, sofa just means comfort, at least it does today.
In the early days of sofa design, upholstery consisted of horsehair or dried moss. Sofas that originated in countries such as France during the 17th century were more integral to decor than they were to comfort. Like most Baroque furnishings from the region, they frequently comprised heavy, gilded mahogany frames and were upholstered in floral Beauvais tapestry. Today, options abound when it comes to style and material, with authentic leather offerings and classy steel settees. Plush, velvet chesterfields represent the platonic ideal of coziness.
Vladimir Kagan’s iconic sofa designs, such as the Crescent and the Serpentine — which, like the sectional sofas of the 1960s created by furniture makers such as Harvey Probber, are quite popular among mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts — showcase the spectrum of style available to modern consumers. Those looking to make a statement can turn to Studio 65’s lip-shaped Bocca sofa, which was inspired by the work of Salvador Dalí. Elsewhere, the furniture of the 1970s evokes an era when experimentation ruled, or at least provided a reason to break the rules. Just about every area of society felt a sudden urge to be wayward, to push boundaries — and buttons. Vintage leather sofas of that decade are characterized by a rare blending of the showy and organic.
With so many options, it’s important to explore and find the perfect furniture for your space. Paying attention to the lines of the cushions as well as the flow from the backrest into the arms is crucial to identifying a cohesive new piece for your home or office.
Fortunately, with styles from every era — and even round sofas — there’s a luxurious piece for every space. Deck out your living room with an Art Deco lounge or go retro with a nostalgic '80s design. No matter your sitting vision, the right piece is waiting for you in the expansive collection of unique sofas on 1stDibs.
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
In an innovative display, the Designmuseum Danmark is permanently exhibiting the 20th century's most iconic seats.
Our feed is filled with the world's most beautiful spaces. See the 10 our followers have deemed the best of the best this month.