Scandinavian Leather Sofa in the Style of Alvar Aalto, 1970s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Praha, CZ
Elegant Scandinavian three-seat sofa produced during the 1970s in the style of Alvar Aalto.
Leather, Wood, Beech
Scandinavian Sofa Modell 807 by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrikk A/S
By Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne Møbler
Located in Karlstad, SE
Sofa model 807 by Fredrik Kayser for Vatne Lenestolfabrikk A/S, Norway. This high-quality sofa with timeless design is upholstered in cognac coloured leather with a beautiful natural...
Leather, Wood
Garden Sofa in Cast Iron and Wood, 1940's
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Garden Sofa in Cast Iron and Wood, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Cast iron and wood Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Probably produced in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 1...
Steel
Scandinavian Midcentury Sofa by Carl Gustav Hiort af Ornäs
By Carl Gustaf Hiort af Ornäs
Located in Karlstad, SE
Three-seat sofa model "Trienna" by Carl Gustav Hiort af Ornäs, 1950s. Stunning sofa made of oak with leather straps supporting the backrest. Condition: The sofa is in very good ...
Leather, Wood
Arne Norell ‘Merkur’ Sofa in Brown Leather and Wood
By Arne Norell
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Arne Norell for Arne Norell Möbel AB, sofa model ‘Merkur’, leather, wood, Sweden, 1970s. This high-quality sofa is designed by the talented Swedish designer Arne Norell. Characteris...
Leather, Wood
Off-White Alpaca Sofa with Wood Details, Denmark 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
A curvy profile Danish Modern sofa from the 1960s. This stunning piece has been freshly upholstered in a soft, off-white alpaca fabric and features button tufts along the backrest. T...
Alpaca, Wood
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Red 3-Seater Sofa from Bröderna Anderssons
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This three-seater sofa was made by the Swedish manufacturer Bröderna Anderssons during the 1950s. The sofa is upholstered with a high-quality material in a noble red color. It is an ...
Fabric, Wood
Swedish Modern Sofa with Cherry Wood Legs, Sweden 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Designed in the early phase of what we know today as mid-century modern, this charming sofa is a unique evidence of how traditional Swedish craftsmanship was brought into modernism. ...
Wood, Fabric
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture velour, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original striped green furniture velour, dark oak wood, springs in the seat.
Fabric, Oak
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture wool, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Green and light grey furniture wool, oak wood, brass springs in the seat.
Wool, Oak
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture velour, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Red furniture velour, oak wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
$4,960Sale Price / item|20% Off
Walnut Wood Essex Sofa with Blue Velvet Upholstery, Modern Design
Located in New York, NY
The Essex Sofa effortlessly combines the rich warmth of walnut wood with the soft, opulent feel of velvet upholstery, creating a piece that exudes both comfort and sophistication. De...
Suede, Wood, Walnut
$3,525Sale Price|25% Off
Ib Kofod-Larsen Selig Mid-Century Scandinavian Danish Modern Sofa & Ottoman
By Ib Kofod-Larsen, Selig
Located in Wayne, NJ
Ib Kofod-Larsen Scandinavian Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofa and ottoman / footstool for Selig. The ottoman measures 25"x 20.50" x 17" high with cushion. Both are marked Selig. If y...
Wood
1960s Danish Three-Seat Sofa in Cognac Leather and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Three-seat sofa, leather, wood, Denmark, ca. 1960. This modest and comfortable three-seat sofa exhibits characteristics reminiscent of Borge Mogensen's design. The vibrant aestheti...
Leather, Wood
1950s Danish Sofa in Off-White Decorative Upholstery and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric, wood, Denmark, 1950s. This sofa has all the flair and vitality of a typical Danish mid-century furniture piece. This particular design invites you to spend more time o...
Fabric, Wood
Danish Cabinetmaker Three-Seater Sofa with Stained Wood Legs, Denmark 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This beautiful Danish three-seater sofa features the recognizable touch of Danish Modernism: exquisite materials, craftsmanship, and an elegantly curved shape, because of which this ...
Fabric, Wood
Sculptural Danish Cabinetmaker Sofa with Exotic Wood Frame, Denmark 1940s
Located in Utrecht, NL
Mid-century pieces such as this sofa were of great design, using fantastic wood like teak or beech.
Wood, Fabric
1970s, Danish "Spanish" sofa, furniture velour, ash wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
Manufactured by Danish furniture maker in about 1970s. Original Scandinavian vintage design directly from Denmark. The sofa was checked by craftsman.
Velvet, Ash
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa, furniture fabric, teak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Red furniture fabric, teak wood legs and armrests.
Wool, Teak
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture wool, teak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original blue/green furniture wool, teak wood legs, springs in the seat cushions.
Wool, Teak
1960s, Danish 2-seater curved sofa, furniture velour, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 2-seater curved sofa. Green striped furniture velour, oak wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
1960s, Danish 2-seater sofa, furniture wool, teak wood, reupholstered.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, completely renovated-reupholstered Danish 2-seater sofa. Mustard yellow furniture wool fabric, teak wood.
Wool, Teak
1970s, 3-seater Danish sofa, green furniture wool, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, 3-seater Danish sofa. Original green furniture wool, oak wood, springs in the seat cushions.
Wool, Oak
1950s, 3-seater Danish sofa, green furniture velour, teak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, 3-seater Danish sofa. Striped green furniture velour, laqered teak wood, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Teak
1970s, Swedish drop arm sofa/daybed, furniture fabric, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Swedish drop arm sofa/daybed. Original light yellow furniture fabric, oak wood, springs in the cushion.
Fabric, Oak
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa, green furniture velour, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original green furniture velour, beech wood legs, springs in the seat.
Velvet, Beech
Antique Stained Wood Sofa by Carl Westman, Swedish Design, Circa 1900
By Carl Westman
Located in Madrid, ES
Stained wood sofa designed in 1899 by Carl Westman. Model "Arbetarmöbeln", which means "Workers' furniture". This settee features a warm wood finish, spindle backrest, and turned det...
Fabric, Wood
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa, green furniture velour, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original green furniture velour, beech wood, springs in the seat.
Velvet, Beech
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, green furniture velour, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original striped green furniture velour, beech wood legs, springs in the seat.
Velvet, Beech
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, furniture velour, oak wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Furniture velour, oak wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture wool, solid oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Furniture wool, solid oak wood, springs in the cushions.
Wool, Oak
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture velour, carved oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Furniture velour, carved oak wood, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
Model "416" sofa with ukola wood frame and washable ivory fabric upholstery
Located in Madrid, España
Model "416" sofa with ukola wood frame and washable ivory fabric upholstery - Designer Gregorio Vicente Cortés - c. 1967 - Spain Dimensions: 65 x 130 x 70 cm
Wood
1970s, 2-seater Swedish sofa, pink furniture velour, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, 2-seater Swedish sofa. Original pink furniture velour, beech wood, springs in the seat cushion.
Velvet, Beech
1970s, Danish 4-seater sofa, furniture wool, solid oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 4-seater sofa. Original turquoise green furniture wool, solid oak wood.
Wool, Oak
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture wool, solid oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Green furniture wool, solid oak wood. Original very good condition: no smells, no stains and stable construction.
Wool, Oak
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa, red furniture wool, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original red furniture wool, beech wood, brass springs in the seat.
Wool, Beech
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa, green furniture wool, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original green furniture wool, oak wood, springs in the seat cushions.
Wool, Oak
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa, green furniture wool, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original green furniture wool, oak wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Wool, Oak
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa, green furniture wool, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original green furniture wool, solid oak wood, springs in the cushions.
Wool, Oak
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa, furniture velour, carved oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original honey yellow furniture velour, carved oak wood, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
1960s, Danish 2-seater sofa, original furniture velour, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original green striped furniture velour, beech wood legs, springs in the seat.
Velvet, Beech
1960s, Danish 2-seater sofa, red furniture velour, ash wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original red furniture velour, ash wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Ash
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa, red furniture velour, ash wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original red furniture velour, ash wood legs, springs in the seat.
Velvet, Ash
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, green furniture wool, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Green furniture wool fabric, oak wood, brass springs.
Wool, Oak
$1,624Sale Price|20% Off
1960s, Danish 2-seater sofa, green furniture velour, beech wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Green furniture velour, beech wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Beech
$1,305Sale Price|25% Off
1930s, Danish 2 seater sofa, ash wood, original condition.
Located in Tarm, 82
1930s, Danish 2 seater sofa in original good condition: no smells and no stains. Flowering cotton/wool fabric, green velour, ash wood. Original springs in the seat. Stable sofas cons...
Wool, Cotton, Ash
1950s, 2 seater Danish highback sofa, furniture velour, laqered teak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, 2 seater Danish highback sofa. Green furniture velour, laqered teak wood, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Teak
1970s, Danish "Spanish" sofa, original condition, furniture velour, ash wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
Manufactured by Danish furniture maker in about 1970s. Original Scandinavian vintage design directly from Denmark. The sofa was checked by craftsman.
Fabric, Velvet, Ash
1960s, Danish "Banana" 2-seater sofa, green furniture velour, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish "Banana" 2-seater sofa. Green furniture velour, brass springs in the seat, oak wood legs.
Velvet, Oak
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa, green furniture velour, oak wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original green furniture velour, oak wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa, green furniture wool, solid oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original striped green furniture wool, solid oak wood, springs in the seat cushions.
Wool, Oak
1960s, Danish 2-seater "Banana" sofa, furniture wool, oak wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 2-seater "Banana" sofa. Original red furniture wool, oak wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Wool, Oak
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa, original red furniture wool, ash wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original red furniture wool, ash wood legs, springs in the seat.
Wool, Ash
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa, blue furniture velour, oak wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Original blue furniture velour, oak wood legs, springs in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
1970s, 3-seater Danish sofa, orange/red furniture velour, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1970s, 3-seater Danish sofa. Original orange/red furniture velour, oak wood.
Velvet, Oak
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, beige/ brown furniture fabric, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Beige/ brown furniture fabric, oak wood legs, brass springs in the seat.
Fabric, Oak
Gallant Sofa (3-seater) - solid oak wood base with boucle upholstery
Located in Copenhagen, DK
It keeps humans in the focus of the design with its usability and clear position in the market as an instant classic. The Gallant Sofa is synonymous with the Scandinavian aesthetic ...
Bouclé, Oak
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa, original green furniture velour, oak wood.
Located in Tarm, 82
1960s, Danish 3-seater sofa. Original green furniture velour, oak wood, brass springs in the seat.
Velvet, Oak
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa, striped furniture wool, ash wood legs.
Located in Tarm, 82
1950s, Danish 2-seater sofa. Striped furniture wool, ash wood legs, springs in the seat.
Wool, Ash
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.
Vintage couches and antique sofas have anchored living rooms for generations. The pieces most sought after today carry the deep-buttoned tufting of a Chesterfield or the low, sculptural ease of mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency design.
Styles to Know
Rolled arms and tufted backs point to Mid-Century Modern or Hollywood Regency pieces, while tight backs and turned legs skew more traditional. Velvet is enjoying a renewed moment across most of these silhouettes; see our velvet chesterfield sofa trend report for examples. A mid-century modern coffee table within reach and a vintage mirror nearby round out the seating area.
How to Choose the Right Vintage Sofa
A sofa's frame and upholstery history can be difficult to judge from photographs alone. Ask a seller for more information when a listing doesn't show the fabric or joinery clearly, and confirm whether the upholstery is original or has been redone. Each piece comes from a vetted 1stDibs seller, with era, designer and condition detailed, and the 1stDibs Promise stands behind every purchase.
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.