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Mid-Century Modern Benches

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Italian Mid Century Modern Boucle Bench
Located in Houston, TX
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern bouclé bench featuring organically shaped wooden legs. Newly upholstered in Holland and Sherry nubby creamy white bouclé.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood, Wool

Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Bench for Cassina, Black, Rush
Located in Miami, FL
Vico Magistretti "Carimate" Bench for Cassina, black lacquered wood, rush seat.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Rush, Wood

Antonio Citterio Esosoft Benches For Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antonio Citterio Esosoft Benches For Cassina A living room system designed to define the domestic landscape in a fluid, flexible manner. The first project designed by Antonio Citter...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

1950's Kipp Stewart for Drexel Declaration Walnut Spindle Back Bench
Located in Southampton, NJ
An exceptional mid 20th century spindle back bench designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel Furniture. Constructed of solid walnut the bench features hand carved ba...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Italian Contemporary Warm White Chenille and Wood Curved Conversation Sofa
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful curved conversation sofa with 4 seats with warm white chenille, designed and handcrafted by us with structure in solid wood. It's possible to customise the fabric; in the p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chenille, Wood

1970s Italian Midcentury Carved Wood Brass Cord Woven Rope Lounge Bench Sofa
Located in Carimate, Como
Stylish and beautiful 1960s Mid-Century Modern bench lounge sofa in wood with new seating pillow and cord or woven rope backseat completed with brass details. The traditional and cla...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cord, Rope, Wood

Roland Rainer Two Seater Bent Beech Plywood Bench Once Used in Dutch Church
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Roland Rainer 2 seat bench with bent beech plywood seating and black wood legs from a Dutch Church. In lightly refinished condition with visible patina and signs of wear consistent w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Beech, Plywood, Wood

Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple Blonde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid century George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench with Amazing Patina. This bench is 72.25" Long Slatted coffee...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Maple, Lacquer

1970s Italian Bobbin Turned Wood and Retro Vintage Fabric Upholstery Bench
Located in Carimate, Como
A charming dark bobbin turned wooden bench with great original vintage retro 70s upholstery seat.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Vintage Kitchen Bench Set By Kovona, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Zohor, SK
This charming and practical bench set dates back to the 1960s and was originally used in kitchens across Czechoslovakia. Produced by the renowned Kovona company, the set features a s...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Stainless Steel

Custom Florence Knoll Bench
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a fantastic, custom-sized bench designed by Florence Knoll circa 1954. This example was produced in 2017, originally for a retail setting and is excellent condition. The be...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Geraldo de Barros, Bench, Wood, Metal, Brazil, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A slatted wood bench designed by Geraldo de Barros and produced by Hobjeto, Brazil, c. 1970s. Light scratching and discoloration on top. Dimensions: 12.75” H x 78” W x 22.65” D 10...
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Vintage Jens Risom Six Foot (6ft) Floating Bench
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An uncommon six (6) foot long floating bench. Features a walnut frame base with a slightly curved cushion. A classic and timeless design that could blend into a variety of different ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Mid Century Modern French Wood Bench, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid Century Modern Rationalist Wood Bench. Manufactured in France, circa 1960. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Mate...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Italian Contemporary Adrian Pearsall Style Forest Green Chenille and Wood Bench
Located in Scandicci, Florence
Beautiful bench upholstered with forest-green chenille, designed and handcrafted by us with structure in solid wood. It is an object of high quality and refinement, ideal for giving ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chenille, Wood

Charlotte Perriand Cansado Bench, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Bench designed by Charlotte Perriand. Edited by Steph Simon. Provenance: Cansado, Mauritania (Africa). In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric

Midcentury Transitional Modern Spindle Back Bentwood Settee Bench in Black
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A modern yet traditional spindle back bench from the 1960s. It is very well made from solid wood and finished in black satin lacquer.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Douglas Entry Bench Upholstered Cushion Walnut Mid-Century Modern Shoe Storage
Located in Long Beach, CA
This bench is the perfect place to put on your shoes, flip through a magazine or relax with company. It's an original design, but inspired by Mid Century Modern/Scandinavian sensibil...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Curved Oak Greaves and Thomas Inspired Windsor Corner Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Oak curved spindle back corner bench inspired by Greaves & Thomas, likely manufactured in Germany. Elegant delicate hand-turned spindle backs and legs with dainty curved ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Beautiful Mid-Century Navy Leather Bench Chrome Frame Style of Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern navy blue leather bench chrome frame style of Florence Knoll. Very clean 1960s bench. Made in USA. Very High Quality construction leather upholstery and ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Chrome

Sculptural ICO Bench Series 48 in Espresso by Stamford Modern
Located in Westport, CT
The ICO Bench is a stunning addition to any modern living space. Named after the celebrated Italian designer Ico Parisi, this bench beautifully showcases his signature lightweight ae...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Wooden Bench With Brass Accessories Mid-Century Design Italy, 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Wooden bench with brass accessories, Italy, 1970s The bench represents one of the very rare testimonies of activity in the world of design. Capable of presenting itself as an authen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal, Brass

Custom Channeled Leather Bench by Edelman, from ANDY COHEN'S Personal Collection
By EDELMAN NY
Located in Long Island City, NY
Upholstered in luxury leather with mid-century stylings, this custom-made for Andy Cohen bench by Edelman is a remarkable addition to any dining table, foyer, or sitting room. The ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Wood

Long Bench in Teak, Denmark, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
9ft bench in veneered teak which can be used both as seating and as a coffee or sofa table. This bench shows a very beautiful authentic patina. The glides are made out of copper.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Teak

Pair of Benches, Dedar Dalie Papaveri Tulipani by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was design...
Category

2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Beech

Vintage Curved Wood Bench Seating from Dutch Train Station
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage curved wooden bench, beautifully constructed from tightly joined slats. Sourced from a defunct Dutch train station. Lovely conversation seating...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Gorgeous Pair of Steel and Brass Leather Upholstered X form Jansen Style Stools
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a fantastic pair of Maison Jansen style X form benches. We have two pairs of these. They are listed separately. The X form is a classic Jansen style and while we can not say ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass, Steel

Mid-Century Modern Tandem Three Seat Bench by Krueger
Located in Harlingen, TX
Vintage mid-century modern tandem beam seating by Krueger International circa 1969. This bench features three molded fiberglass beige color shells with light/medium brown double-side...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Milo Baughman, Bench, Walnut, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut bench designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Glenn of California, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Bedside Tables Nightstands Oak, Esko Pajamies for Asko Finland 1960s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Mid-Century Modern pair of nightstands by Finnish designer Esko Pajamies for Asko Finland. Made circa 1960s to 1970s. The nightstands are not identical but very similar. They are p...
Category

1960s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Oak

Long Bench, Cantilever, Mid-Century Style, Custom, Danish Cord, Woven, Hardwood
Located in Issaquah, WA
Mid-century inspired, hardwood and woven Danish cord bench. Standard length for this bench is 63.25", it can be made any length from 45" - 70". The Danish cord has the perfect amount of give which makes for a very comfortable seat. Great for the entryway, foyer or foot of the bed. All of our pieces are made-to-order and fully customizable. Semigood products come with a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser and is built to be passed down from generation to generation. Our Rian Cantilever bench...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut, Cord, Hardwood

Mid Century English Upholstered Bench with Ebonised Oak Base
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this upholstered bench dates from the 1950s. The bench features an ebonised oak base with seat and arms upholstered in muslin - ready to be reupholstered in the fab...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

Mid century modern low walnut spindle bench by Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century modern low walnut spindle bench Designed by American Milo Baughman. Long low bench with dark walnut frame and wood dowel slats for Glenn o...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Matchbook Walnut Tonkbench Chicago Foyer Piano Bench Seat W/ Storage
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Piano Bench by Tonkbench of Chicago, Illinois, circa 1940s. Features a walnut frame with Matchbook veneered top. The lid of the bench lif...
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

1930's English Rope Hearth Bench
Located in Southampton, NJ
1930's English hearth bench of turned wood and woven hemp rope with stretcher base in solid all original condition.
Category

1930s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Hemp, Oak

Vintage Walnut Italian Long Gallery Bench - TWO Available
Located in North Miami, FL
Classical Italian design on display with these beautiful long gallery benches in walnut. Fine details such as saber legs and scalloped backrest, in the Ponti style, this very long s...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Charlotte Perriand "Tokyo" Bench with Cushions by Cassina
Located in Dronten, NL
Envisioned in Tokyo in 1953 by Charlotte Perriand and still remarkably relevant today, this modular piece can be used as a low coffee table, bench, or – with cushions – as a sofa. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Oak

French Brutalist Modular Wall System – Industrial Elegance, ca. 1950
Located in Oirlo, LI
Stunning and robust French brutalist wall system from the 1950s crafted from high-quality, knot-free solid pinewood. This freestanding modular unit features a strong frame and can ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Wood

1960s Italian Midcentury Wood and Cord Woven Rope Lounge Bench Armchair
Located in Carimate, Como
Stylish 19060s Mid-Century Modern lounge bench armchair in wood and cord or woven rope, in the style of Audoux Minet. The design and shape of the wooden structure, typical of Mid-Cen...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cord, Rope, Wood

Bench, Cantilever, Mid Century, Walnut, Danish Cord, Weave, Hardwood, Semigood
Located in Issaquah, WA
Mid-century inspired, hardwood and woven Danish cord bench. This listing is for a 41.125" long Rian Cantilever Bench in Walnut with Kraft Danish Cord....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Cord, Hardwood

Marco Fantoni Green Fabric and Enameled Steel Italian Bench for Tecno, 1982
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing modern green fabric and enameled steel bench. This marvelous piece was produced by Tecno in Italy in 1982 and designed by Marco Fantoni. This bench is unique as it is a one ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal, Iron

Mid-Century American Classical Pine Bench
Located in Germantown, MD
AvMid-Century American Classical Pine Bench. Structurally sound. Measures 60" in width, 11.5" in depth and 17.5" in height.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Bench in Teak, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid Century Lattenbank as a flower stand, shoe storage, side table or similarThe surface of the bank is dissolved … Read more Mid Century Lattenbank as a flower stand, shoe storage, ...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Ate van Apeldoorn Style Pine Two Seat Bench with Green Cushions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ate van Apeldoorn style two seat pine bench with green skai seat and newly upholstered green fabric back cushion. An attractive piece with rounded edges and organic hand-carved detai...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Faux Leather, Pine

Jana Entry Bench, Upholstered Cushion Version - Walnut Mid-Century Modern
Located in Long Beach, CA
The Jana entry bench is an original design, rooted in my love of all things modern, mid century, and Scandanavian. It's lovingly hand-built by me and my team from solid walnut (other...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Lane Cedar Lined Cherry Upholstered Storage Bench Blanket Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Lane Altavista Cedar Lined Cherry upholstered seat storage bench or blanket chest in good vintage condition. Panelized front with two faux drawers mounte...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Brass

Vintage Waterfall Upholstered Bench, 1970s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Waterfall Upholstered Bench, 1970s "in good vintage condition" "nice scale and fabric" "one small imperfection in the fabric on the side" "...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric

Mid-Century Modern Tandem Four Seat Bench by Krueger
Located in Harlingen, TX
Vintage mid-century modern tandem beam seating by Krueger International circa 1969. This bench features four molded fiberglass light beige color shells connected on a black steel str...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Steel

Rosewood and metal bench, Made in Italy, 1970s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Rosewood and metal bench, Made in Italy, 1970s.  Rosewood bench with tubular metal legs. The end of the leg is finished with rosewood. The product is in excellent condition. It has b...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Metal

Mid century low wooden bench, France ca. 1850
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1850 / bench / wood / rustic / mid century Beautiful rustic small low bench crafted in solid wood in France around 1850. On the elegant legs and with nice patina on the woo...
Category

1850s French Antique Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Wrought Iron and Upholstered Loveseat Bench c. 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional wrought iron with a linen textured vinyl upholstered seat. This example has been newly painted black, and the seat has been professionally reupholstered. Classic Mid Cent...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wrought Iron

Jana Entry Bench, Danish Cord Version Walnut Mid-Century Modern Woven Jute
Located in Long Beach, CA
The Jana entry bench is an original design, rooted in my love of all things modern, mid century, and Scandinavian. It's lovingly hand-built by me and my team from solid walnut (other...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Walnut

Clean Lined Walnut Bench or Coffee Table by Kipp Stewart for Drexel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined midcentury walnut bench, designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel, American, circa 1950s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a coffee table or bench. Beautiful graining...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Walnut

Woven Leather Brera Bench by Guglielmo Ulrich for Matteo Grassi
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed in 1934 by Guglielmo Ulrich, the Brera bench comprises a solid ash frame curving into tapered feet, across which are woven of thick straps of leat...
Category

1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Leather, Ash

Six Foot George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Natural finish with warm patina and ebonized legs. This is a hard to find original, retaining its foil...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Maple

Oak Topa Bench by Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Topa Bench features a handcrafted roundover frame and secured tufted cushion. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Angeles, ...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Oak

Bench in Camel Boucle by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was designed by Vintola...
Category

2010s Polish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Bouclé

Small Bernt Santesson Outdoor 'Drachmann 120' Teak Bench for Skagerak
Located in Glendale, CA
Small Bernt Santesson outdoor 'Drachmann 120' teak bench for Skagerak Skagerak was founded in 1976 by Jesper and Vibeke Panduro, who took inspiratio...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Teak

Mid-century Modern benches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern benches for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern benches made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original benches, popular names associated with this style include Stamford Modern, Carlos Solano-Granda, Lawson-Fenning, and Montage. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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