Severen 03 Vitra Chair
20th Century Belgian Modern Chairs
Metal
2010s Swiss Modern Dining Room Chairs
Steel
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Steel
Late 20th Century Belgian Minimalist Dining Room Tables
Oak
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Steel, Chrome
21st Century and Contemporary Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Leather, Plywood
2010s Belgian Modern Bookcases
Stainless Steel
Early 2000s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Aluminum
Vintage 1970s Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Fiberglass
Vintage 1960s French Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Glass
Glass
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
2010s South African Modern Chairs
Steel
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
Iron
Vintage 1970s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Armchairs
Steel
Recent Sales
Early 2000s Swiss Modern Chairs
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Figurative Sculptures
Metal
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Chairs
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary German Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Late 20th Century Belgian Dining Room Chairs
Late 20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
Steel, Aluminum
1990s Swiss Minimalist Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Dining Room Chairs
Aluminum
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.